This is perhaps one of my favorite nights of the year for tournament poker.

I really like the $55 HORSE and $22 NLH Turbo events of the Mini-FTOPS and it's great that I can play them both at the same time.

Really looking forward to this and I feel a nice score is on the way.

I'm playing FTP Super Turbo 6 MAX KO 32K GTD Tonight (6:35 PM EST)

I don't usually get a chance to play this one because it starts right after I get back from work. I think people make a lot of mistakes preflop and this type of tournament magnifies them.

If I get off to a good start and double or triple up, that will take some of the pressure off to push preflop and hopefully I can do well.

For instance, I think this hand was terribly played by both the SB and BB

Full Tilt Poker Game #18714715527: $32K Super Turbo KO (141795084), Table 62 - 15/30 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:39:00 ET - 2010/02/23
Seat 1: swd805 (345)
Seat 2: VeggieLove (300)
Seat 3: p2nky (300)
Seat 4: Ostryak (300)
Seat 6: dnrules (255)
swd805 posts the small blind of 15
VeggieLove posts the big blind of 30
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to dnrules [7s 6c]
p2nky has 15 seconds left to act
p2nky folds
Ostryak folds
dnrules folds
swd805 raises to 345, and is all in
VeggieLove calls 270, and is all in
swd805 shows [5h Js]
VeggieLove shows [Qh Td]
Uncalled bet of 45 returned to swd805
*** FLOP *** [Ts 7h 9d]
*** TURN *** [Ts 7h 9d] [Ah]
*** RIVER *** [Ts 7h 9d Ah] [Jh]
swd805 shows a pair of Jacks
VeggieLove shows a pair of Tens
swd805 wins the pot (600) with a pair of Jacks
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 600 | Rake 0
Board: [Ts 7h 9d Ah Jh]
Seat 1: swd805 (small blind) showed [5h Js] and won (600) with a pair of Jacks
Seat 2: VeggieLove (big blind) showed [Qh Td] and lost with a pair of Tens
Seat 3: p2nky didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Ostryak didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: dnrules (button) didn't bet (folded)

There is no need to push with any from the SB with his stack and the call is also unnecessary.

Things had been going pretty well and then this hand came up

I think I have to call the PF all-in from this guy

Full Tilt Poker Game #18715127302: $32K Super Turbo KO (141795084), Table 74 - 30/60 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:54:05 ET - 2010/02/23
Seat 1: juanelas (1,178)
Seat 2: iggsua (690)
Seat 3: romsteffi (541)
Seat 4: dnrules (1,281)
Seat 5: fishfinder22 (565)
Seat 6: abrizzle (795)
dnrules posts the small blind of 30
fishfinder22 posts the big blind of 60
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to dnrules [Jc Kh]
abrizzle folds
juanelas folds
iggsua folds
romsteffi folds
dnrules raises to 180
fishfinder22 raises to 565, and is all in
dnrules calls 385
fishfinder22 shows [8h Ad]
dnrules shows [Jc Kh]
*** FLOP *** [2d 5s Ac]
*** TURN *** [2d 5s Ac] [As]
*** RIVER *** [2d 5s Ac As] [Ks]
fishfinder22 shows three of a kind, Aces
dnrules shows two pair, Aces and Kings
fishfinder22 wins the pot (1,130) with three of a kind, Aces
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,130 | Rake 0
Board: [2d 5s Ac As Ks]
Seat 1: juanelas didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: iggsua didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: romsteffi (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: dnrules (small blind) showed [Jc Kh] and lost with two pair, Aces and Kings
Seat 5: fishfinder22 (big blind) showed [8h Ad] and won (1,130) with three of a kind, Aces
Seat 6: abrizzle didn't bet (folded)

At the break I am 151/222, so I still have a way to go.

We started with 951 players so more than 3/4 of the field is gone after 20 mins!

First place gets almost 9K

Also, I decided to play the $109 turbo cashout (7:15 PM EST)

This hand worked out very well for me. I'd been pretty aggressive the past few hands so I can't blame the BB for thinking his hand was good

Full Tilt Poker Game #18715347140: $32K Super Turbo KO (141795084), Table 74 - 40/80 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:03:39 ET - 2010/02/23
Seat 1: juanelas (928)
Seat 2: iggsua (810)
Seat 3: romsteffi (461)
Seat 4: dnrules (1,106)
Seat 5: fishfinder22 (1,070)
Seat 6: abrizzle (675)
juanelas posts the small blind of 40
iggsua posts the big blind of 80
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to dnrules [Qh As]
romsteffi folds
dnrules raises to 160
fishfinder22 folds
abrizzle folds
juanelas folds
iggsua calls 80
*** FLOP *** [Qd 9h 7c]
iggsua checks
dnrules bets 160
iggsua has 15 seconds left to act
iggsua raises to 650, and is all in
dnrules calls 490
iggsua shows [Qc Ts]
dnrules shows [Qh As]
*** TURN *** [Qd 9h 7c] [Qs]
*** RIVER *** [Qd 9h 7c Qs] [Jc]
iggsua shows three of a kind, Queens
dnrules shows three of a kind, Queens
dnrules wins the pot (1,660) with three of a kind, Queens
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,660 | Rake 0
Board: [Qd 9h 7c Qs Jc]
Seat 1: juanelas (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: iggsua (big blind) showed [Qc Ts] and lost with three of a kind, Queens
Seat 3: romsteffi didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: dnrules showed [Qh As] and won (1,660) with three of a kind, Queens
Seat 5: fishfinder22 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: abrizzle (button) didn't bet (folded)

This sucks

In the span of 3 hands, I busted (I didn't play the 2nd hand)

Full Tilt Poker Game #18715839866: $32K Super Turbo KO (141795084), Table 74 - 100/200 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:22:37 ET - 2010/02/23
Seat 1: blankypok (2,150)
Seat 2: cuzitsdelicious (1,550)
Seat 3: romsteffi (1,659)
Seat 4: dnrules (1,901)
Seat 5: fishfinder22 (965)
Seat 6: MATTEI1 (2,540)
fishfinder22 posts the small blind of 100
MATTEI1 posts the big blind of 200
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to dnrules [As 5s]
blankypok folds
cuzitsdelicious folds
romsteffi folds
dnrules raises to 400
fishfinder22 raises to 965, and is all in
MATTEI1 folds
dnrules calls 565
fishfinder22 shows [Kc 4c]
dnrules shows [As 5s]
*** FLOP *** [Kd 8h Js]
*** TURN *** [Kd 8h Js] [Jh]
*** RIVER *** [Kd 8h Js Jh] [Tc]
fishfinder22 shows two pair, Kings and Jacks
dnrules shows a pair of Jacks
fishfinder22 wins the pot (2,130) with two pair, Kings and Jacks
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,130 | Rake 0
Board: [Kd 8h Js Jh Tc]
Seat 1: blankypok didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: cuzitsdelicious didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: romsteffi didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: dnrules (button) showed [As 5s] and lost with a pair of Jacks
Seat 5: fishfinder22 (small blind) showed [Kc 4c] and won (2,130) with two pair, Kings and Jacks
Seat 6: MATTEI1 (big blind) folded before the Flop

Full Tilt Poker Game #18715863299: $32K Super Turbo KO (141795084), Table 74 - 100/200 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:23:32 ET - 2010/02/23
Seat 1: blankypok (1,950)
Seat 2: cuzitsdelicious (1,850)
Seat 3: romsteffi (1,659)
Seat 4: dnrules (936)
Seat 5: fishfinder22 (2,130)
Seat 6: MATTEI1 (2,240)
blankypok posts the small blind of 100
cuzitsdelicious posts the big blind of 200
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to dnrules [Ad 4d]
romsteffi folds
dnrules raises to 936, and is all in
fishfinder22 raises to 2,130, and is all in
MATTEI1 folds
blankypok folds
cuzitsdelicious folds
fishfinder22 shows [7s 7d]
dnrules shows [Ad 4d]
Uncalled bet of 1,194 returned to fishfinder22
*** FLOP *** [8h Td Ah]
*** TURN *** [8h Td Ah] [Js]
*** RIVER *** [8h Td Ah Js] [9h]
fishfinder22 shows a straight, Jack high
dnrules shows a pair of Aces
fishfinder22 wins the pot (2,172) with a straight, Jack high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,172 | Rake 0
Board: [8h Td Ah Js 9h]
Seat 1: blankypok (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: cuzitsdelicious (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: romsteffi didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: dnrules showed [Ad 4d] and lost with a pair of Aces
Seat 5: fishfinder22 showed [7s 7d] and won (2,172) with a straight, Jack high
Seat 6: MATTEI1 (button) didn't bet (folded)

Tonight I am playing the Stars 215 HORSE, 215 Omaha8 and 109 turbo.

Too bad there is no 100K GTD. I don't really get the logic of replacing it with the 215+R. Wouldn't people be willing to play in both? They could run a $162 with no guarantee and just let people play.

This is a weird hand from the stud round of the 215 HORSE.

I don't understand what villain is leading with on 4th and raising on 5th. The only hand that makes sense is a str8 but it is so unlikely for him to have that.

PokerStars Game #30916808270: Tournament #180536824, $200+$15 HORSE (7 Card Stud Limit) - Level IV (60/120) - 2009/07/26 20:21:48 ET
Table '180536824 19' 8-max
Seat 1: gaffel (2001 in chips)
Seat 2: jakz101 (2094 in chips)
Seat 3: robert07 (2203 in chips)
Seat 4: viking47 (3204 in chips)
Seat 5: ferrengi (3304 in chips)
Seat 6: sfbob (2416 in chips)
Seat 7: shah_ghullam (3870 in chips)
Seat 8: KinataBG (3595 in chips)
ferrengi: posts the ante 12
sfbob: posts the ante 12
shah_ghullam: posts the ante 12
KinataBG: posts the ante 12
gaffel: posts the ante 12
jakz101: posts the ante 12
robert07: posts the ante 12
viking47: posts the ante 12
*** 3rd STREET ***
Dealt to gaffel [8s]
Dealt to jakz101 [6s]
Dealt to robert07 [3c]
Dealt to viking47 [7s]
Dealt to ferrengi [7c Js Jd]
Dealt to sfbob [Jh]
Dealt to shah_ghullam [7h]
Dealt to KinataBG [Jc]
robert07: brings in for 18
viking47: folds
ferrengi: raises 42 to 60
sfbob: calls 60
shah_ghullam: folds
KinataBG: folds
gaffel: folds
jakz101: folds
robert07: folds
*** 4th STREET ***
Dealt to ferrengi [7c Js Jd] [Qh]
Dealt to sfbob [Jh] [Ac]
sfbob: bets 60
ferrengi: calls 60
*** 5th STREET ***
Dealt to ferrengi [7c Js Jd Qh] [Qd]
Dealt to sfbob [Jh Ac] [Td]
ferrengi: bets 120
sfbob: raises 120 to 240
ferrengi: calls 120
*** 6th STREET ***
Dealt to ferrengi [7c Js Jd Qh Qd] [2c]
Dealt to sfbob [Jh Ac Td] [Ad]
sfbob: bets 120
ferrengi: folds
Uncalled bet (120) returned to sfbob
sfbob collected 834 from pot
sfbob: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 834 | Rake 0
Seat 1: gaffel folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 2: jakz101 folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 3: robert07 folded on the 3rd Street
Seat 4: viking47 folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 5: ferrengi folded on the 6th Street
Seat 6: sfbob collected (834)
Seat 7: shah_ghullam folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 8: KinataBG folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)

The ace on 6th clinched it. I can no longer beat 2 pair and I have only 2 outs to make a FH.

I hate the way I played the following hand (first hand of 109 turbo)

PokerStars Game #30917068928: Tournament #180540679, $100+$9 Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2009/07/26 20:30:01 ET
Table '180540679 12' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: thë_®ö©K (2000 in chips)
Seat 2: Ulli777 (2000 in chips)
Seat 3: boobySMILES (2000 in chips)
Seat 4: ferrengi (2000 in chips)
Seat 5: ron_esti (2000 in chips)
Seat 6: benza13 (2000 in chips)
Seat 7: qexx42 (2000 in chips)
Seat 8: Allnwithda.. (2000 in chips)
Seat 9: partyhair (2000 in chips)
Ulli777: posts small blind 10
boobySMILES: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to ferrengi [8h 8d]
ferrengi: raises 40 to 60
ron_esti: folds
benza13: folds
qexx42: calls 60
Allnwithda..: folds
partyhair: calls 60
thë_®ö©K: folds
Ulli777: folds
boobySMILES: folds
*** FLOP *** [7h 4c 4d]
ferrengi: bets 150
qexx42: calls 150
partyhair: folds
*** TURN *** [7h 4c 4d] [3c]
ferrengi: checks
qexx42: bets 200
ferrengi: calls 200
*** RIVER *** [7h 4c 4d 3c] [Td]
ferrengi: checks
qexx42: bets 700
ferrengi: calls 700
*** SHOW DOWN ***
qexx42: shows [6h 5h] (a straight, Three to Seven)
ferrengi: mucks hand
qexx42 collected 2310 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2310 | Rake 0
Board [7h 4c 4d 3c Td]
Seat 1: thë_®ö©K (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: Ulli777 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: boobySMILES (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: ferrengi mucked [8h 8d]
Seat 5: ron_esti folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: benza13 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: qexx42 showed [6h 5h] and won (2310) with a straight, Three to Seven
Seat 8: Allnwithda.. folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: partyhair folded on the Flop

I checked the turn to try and keep the pot small. I still thought I had the best hand but I figured it was better to check. The problem is, I am out of position. So, I have no idea if villain is sensing weakness and trying to steal the pot or if they really started with an overpair or hit the str8. So, I'm stuck calling 200 here. A better play would've been to make a my own turn bet and see what villain does. If I get raised, I can toss the hand and survive with most of my stack intact.

The river card really doesn't change anything and again I have the same dillema. As played, I think folding the river is a good idea. The bet is too large and it is kind of too unlikely that he has me beat.

Oh well...

Damn, I thought this was a good flop for me in O8. In retrospect, maybe I should not raise the turn because I do not have the nuts for high and might get quartered or counterfeited on the river.

PokerStars Game #30917417177: Tournament #180536825, $200+$15 Omaha Hi/Lo Limit - Level I (20/40) - 2009/07/26 20:40:56 ET
Table '180536825 5' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: snuffmigruff (3760 in chips)
Seat 2: cappot52 (3620 in chips)
Seat 3: coglione (4125 in chips)
Seat 4: AJB444 (4140 in chips)
Seat 5: grampabumkin (3740 in chips)
Seat 6: highland (4925 in chips)
Seat 7: ferrengi (3970 in chips)
Seat 8: brealz (3870 in chips)
Seat 9: dkast (3850 in chips)
dkast: posts small blind 10
snuffmigruff: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to ferrengi [Ah 5h 5d 3c]
cappot52: calls 20
coglione: folds
AJB444: folds
grampabumkin: folds
highland: raises 20 to 40
ferrengi: raises 20 to 60
brealz: folds
dkast: folds
snuffmigruff: folds
cappot52: calls 40
highland: calls 20
*** FLOP *** [5s 2h 6c]
cappot52: checks
highland: bets 20
ferrengi: calls 20
cappot52: calls 20
*** TURN *** [5s 2h 6c] [Js]
cappot52: checks
highland: bets 40
ferrengi: raises 40 to 80
cappot52: folds
highland: raises 40 to 120
ferrengi: calls 40
*** RIVER *** [5s 2h 6c Js] [Ad]
highland: bets 40
ferrengi: calls 40
*** SHOW DOWN ***
highland: shows [6s 4c 3d As] (HI: a straight, Deuce to Six; LO: 5,4,3,2,A)
ferrengi: mucks hand
highland collected 295 from pot
highland collected 295 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 590 | Rake 0
Board [5s 2h 6c Js Ad]
Seat 1: snuffmigruff (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: cappot52 folded on the Turn
Seat 3: coglione folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: AJB444 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: grampabumkin folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: highland showed [6s 4c 3d As] and won (590) with HI: a straight, Deuce to Six; LO: 5,4,3,2,A
Seat 7: ferrengi mucked [Ah 5h 5d 3c]
Seat 8: brealz (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: dkast (small blind) folded before Flop

Weird hand against a relative unknown player. I know he's been very aggressive preflop and reraised him a few times. I couldn't understand how he can call on the turn without a diamond in his hand unless he wants to gamble his entire stack that I'm bluffing. Because he should expect that if I have the flush, I will put him all-in on the river.

PokerStars Game #30917540359: Tournament #180540679, $100+$9 Hold'em No Limit - Level III (20/40) - 2009/07/26 20:44:47 ET
Table '180540679 52' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: SoulMaster7 (2105 in chips)
Seat 2: ferrengi (1155 in chips)
Seat 3: jimmyforreal (1970 in chips)
Seat 4: Dana Gordon (2605 in chips)
Seat 6: Larenzo2 (600 in chips)
Seat 7: tEh_R3aLde4L (1955 in chips)
Seat 8: BPA234 (1860 in chips)
Seat 9: cornelius313 (1275 in chips)
SoulMaster7: posts small blind 20
ferrengi: posts big blind 40
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to ferrengi [5c 4d]
jimmyforreal: folds
Dana Gordon: folds
quaid745 is connected
Larenzo2: folds
tEh_R3aLde4L has timed out
tEh_R3aLde4L: folds
tEh_R3aLde4L is sitting out
BPA234: folds
cornelius313: folds
tEh_R3aLde4L has returned
SoulMaster7: raises 80 to 120
ferrengi: calls 80
*** FLOP *** [3d Jd 8d]
SoulMaster7: bets 200
ferrengi: calls 200
*** TURN *** [3d Jd 8d] [Qd]
SoulMaster7: checks
ferrengi: bets 300
SoulMaster7: calls 300
*** RIVER *** [3d Jd 8d Qd] [2h]
SoulMaster7: checks
ferrengi: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
SoulMaster7: shows [9h Ts] (a straight, Eight to Queen)
ferrengi: shows [5c 4d] (a flush, Queen high)
ferrengi collected 1240 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1240 | Rake 0
Board [3d Jd 8d Qd 2h]
Seat 1: SoulMaster7 (small blind) showed [9h Ts] and lost with a straight, Eight to Queen
Seat 2: ferrengi (big blind) showed [5c 4d] and won (1240) with a flush, Queen high
Seat 3: jimmyforreal folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: Dana Gordon folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Larenzo2 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: tEh_R3aLde4L folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: BPA234 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: cornelius313 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Why do I suck so bad at limit holdem?

PokerStars Game #30919709583: Tournament #180536824, $200+$15 HORSE (Hold'em Limit) - Level XI (500/1000) - 2009/07/26 21:59:06 ET
Table '180536824 24' 8-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: ferrengi (7584 in chips)
Seat 2: juanmaceiras (5895 in chips)
Seat 3: SuperFlyHard (5548 in chips)
Seat 4: SickSick (4998 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 5: blony_tair (3818 in chips)
Seat 6: Siren (3710 in chips)
Seat 7: jessjakejeff (1811 in chips)
Seat 8: dfunks (4282 in chips)
ferrengi: posts small blind 250
juanmaceiras: posts big blind 500
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to ferrengi [Kh 8d]
SuperFlyHard: folds
SickSick: folds
blony_tair: folds
Siren: folds
jessjakejeff: folds
dfunks: raises 500 to 1000
ferrengi: raises 500 to 1500
juanmaceiras: folds
dfunks: calls 500
*** FLOP *** [Jh 9c Jc]
ferrengi: bets 500
dfunks: calls 500
*** TURN *** [Jh 9c Jc] [2h]
ferrengi: bets 1000
dfunks: calls 1000
*** RIVER *** [Jh 9c Jc 2h] [4h]
ferrengi: bets 1000
dfunks: raises 282 to 1282 and is all-in
blony_tair is connected
ferrengi: calls 282
*** SHOW DOWN ***
dfunks: shows [9d Ah] (two pair, Jacks and Nines)
ferrengi: shows [Kh 8d] (a pair of Jacks)
dfunks collected 9064 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 9064 | Rake 0
Board [Jh 9c Jc 2h 4h]
Seat 1: ferrengi (small blind) showed [Kh 8d] and lost with a pair of Jacks
Seat 2: juanmaceiras (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: SuperFlyHard folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: SickSick folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: blony_tair folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Siren folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: jessjakejeff folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: dfunks (button) showed [9d Ah] and won (9064) with two pair, Jacks and Nines

Villain had been active in late position so I figured my K8 could be ahead preflop. The flop is kinda draw heavy but it is unlikely that he has something here. A flop bet followed by a turn bet should be enough to take it down.

Unfortunately, he hit the 9 so he was never considering folding. I'm finding it hard to play limit holdem out of position. Maybe I should only be reraising out of position with real premium hands and play a little more conservatively postflop depending on what comes on the flop and any reads I may have.