It continues, Why?

Full Tilt Poker Game #7840170932: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (Turbo) (59610557), Table 1 - 200/400 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:39:42 ET - 2008/08/28
Seat 3: nyc3kim (3,907)
Seat 5: actzeng (3,627)
Seat 6: Sorlow (1,730)
Seat 8: Meitz4 (4,236)
nyc3kim posts the small blind of 200
actzeng posts the big blind of 400
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Kc As]
Sorlow has been disconnected
Sorlow has 15 seconds left to act
Sorlow has reconnected
Sorlow folds
Meitz4 folds
nyc3kim calls 200
actzeng raises to 3,627, and is all in
nyc3kim calls 3,227
actzeng shows [Kc As]
nyc3kim shows [Qs Ah]
*** FLOP *** [3d 6c Jc]
*** TURN *** [3d 6c Jc] [8h]
*** RIVER *** [3d 6c Jc 8h] [Qd]
actzeng shows Ace King high
nyc3kim shows a pair of Queens
nyc3kim wins the pot (7,254) with a pair of Queens
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 7,254 | Rake 0
Board: [3d 6c Jc 8h Qd]
Seat 3: nyc3kim (small blind) showed [Qs Ah] and won (7,254) with a pair of Queens
Seat 5: actzeng (big blind) showed [Kc As] and lost with Ace King high
Seat 6: Sorlow didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: Meitz4 (button) didn't bet (folded)

Full Tilt Poker Game #7839604879: $1 Tournament (59496728), Table 32 - 120/240 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 17:53:13 ET - 2008/08/28
Seat 1: actzeng (3,500)
Seat 2: Tontondups (27,494)
Seat 3: copenhagent8 (4,075)
Seat 4: JoJoRauch (3,745)
Seat 5: NiceOutdrawFish (3,395)
Seat 6: ZAKURDA (2,970)
Seat 7: diekirsche46 (9,703)
Seat 8: bobolew (1,301)
Seat 9: HaidaPutt (5,520)
actzeng antes 25
Tontondups antes 25
copenhagent8 antes 25
JoJoRauch antes 25
NiceOutdrawFish antes 25
ZAKURDA antes 25
diekirsche46 antes 25
bobolew antes 25
HaidaPutt antes 25
bobolew posts the small blind of 120
HaidaPutt posts the big blind of 240
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Ks Ad]
actzeng raises to 3,475, and is all in
Tontondups folds
copenhagent8 folds
JoJoRauch folds
NiceOutdrawFish folds
ZAKURDA folds
diekirsche46 calls 3,475
bobolew folds
HaidaPutt folds
actzeng shows [Ks Ad]
diekirsche46 shows [Tc Ah]
*** FLOP *** [6s 7h 8s]
*** TURN *** [6s 7h 8s] [9h]
*** RIVER *** [6s 7h 8s 9h] [4c]
actzeng shows Ace King high
diekirsche46 shows a straight, Ten high
diekirsche46 wins the pot (7,535) with a straight, Ten high
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 7,535 | Rake 0
Board: [6s 7h 8s 9h 4c]
Seat 1: actzeng showed [Ks Ad] and lost with Ace King high
Seat 2: Tontondups folded before the Flop
Seat 3: copenhagent8 folded before the Flop
Seat 4: JoJoRauch folded before the Flop
Seat 5: NiceOutdrawFish folded before the Flop
Seat 6: ZAKURDA folded before the Flop
Seat 7: diekirsche46 (button) showed [Tc Ah] and won (7,535) with a straight, Ten high
Seat 8: bobolew (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 9: HaidaPutt (big blind) folded before the Flop

Stupid

Full Tilt Poker Game #7725125332: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (58754214), Table 1 - 15/30 - No Limit Hold'em - 10:02:32 ET - 2008/08/20
Seat 1: actzeng (1,485)
Seat 2: brattherat (1,390)
Seat 3: OpexoBoe6e3yMue (1,455)
Seat 4: fourfou4 (1,575)
Seat 5: Avary (1,455)
Seat 6: LimeEJx (1,470)
Seat 7: ftbstep (1,390)
Seat 8: Ahalia (1,500)
Seat 9: MONGKONGTONG (1,780)
LimeEJx posts the small blind of 15
ftbstep posts the big blind of 30
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Kh Ks]
Ahalia folds
MONGKONGTONG raises to 80
actzeng raises to 240
brattherat folds
OpexoBoe6e3yMue folds
fourfou4 folds
Avary folds
LimeEJx folds
ftbstep folds
MONGKONGTONG raises to 1,780, and is all in
actzeng calls 1,245, and is all in
MONGKONGTONG shows [As Qd]
actzeng shows [Kh Ks]
Uncalled bet of 295 returned to MONGKONGTONG
*** FLOP *** [Qc Ac 2s]
*** TURN *** [Qc Ac 2s] [4d]
*** RIVER *** [Qc Ac 2s 4d] [3h]
MONGKONGTONG shows two pair, Aces and Queens
actzeng shows a pair of Kings
MONGKONGTONG wins the pot (3,015) with two pair, Aces and Queens
actzeng: stupid
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3,015 | Rake 0
Board: [Qc Ac 2s 4d 3h]
Seat 1: actzeng showed [Kh Ks] and lost with a pair of Kings
Seat 2: brattherat didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: OpexoBoe6e3yMue didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: fourfou4 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: Avary (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: LimeEJx (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: ftbstep (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: Ahalia didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: MONGKONGTONG showed [As Qd] and won (3,015) with two pair, Aces and Queens

Hands like these piss me off

Full Tilt Poker Game #7702356417: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (58579632), Table 1 - 80/160 - No Limit Hold'em - 17:09:03 ET - 2008/08/18
Seat 1: actzeng (2,910)
Seat 2: tsar007 (955)
Seat 3: labo1305 (3,805)
Seat 5: dmoney128 (5,830)
tsar007 posts the small blind of 80
labo1305 posts the big blind of 160
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Ac 9d]
dmoney128 folds
actzeng raises to 320
tsar007 raises to 955, and is all in
labo1305 calls 795
actzeng calls 635
*** FLOP *** [8h Kh 5c]
labo1305 checks
actzeng checks
*** TURN *** [8h Kh 5c] [6d]
labo1305 checks
actzeng checks
*** RIVER *** [8h Kh 5c 6d] [4d]
labo1305 checks
actzeng checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
tsar007 shows [7s 7c] a straight, Eight high
labo1305 mucks
actzeng mucks
tsar007 wins the pot (2,865) with a straight, Eight high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,865 | Rake 0
Board: [8h Kh 5c 6d 4d]
Seat 1: actzeng (button) mucked [Ac 9d] - Ace King high
Seat 2: tsar007 (small blind) showed [7s 7c] and won (2,865) with a straight, Eight high
Seat 3: labo1305 (big blind) mucked [Qd Ks] - a pair of Kings
Seat 5: dmoney128 didn't bet (folded)


Full Tilt Poker Game #7702377713: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (58579632), Table 1 - 100/200 - No Limit Hold'em - 17:10:45 ET - 2008/08/18
Seat 1: actzeng (1,955)
Seat 2: tsar007 (2,865)
Seat 5: dmoney128 (8,680)
dmoney128 posts the small blind of 100
actzeng posts the big blind of 200
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [5h 9d]
tsar007 calls 200
dmoney128 calls 100
actzeng checks
*** FLOP *** [5d 5s 6c]
dmoney128 checks
actzeng checks
tsar007 checks
*** TURN *** [5d 5s 6c] [Jc]
dmoney128 checks
actzeng bets 300
tsar007 folds
dmoney128 raises to 600
actzeng raises to 900
dmoney128 has 15 seconds left to act
dmoney128 raises to 1,500
actzeng raises to 1,755, and is all in
dmoney128 calls 255
actzeng shows [5h 9d]
dmoney128 shows [8c 5c]
*** RIVER *** [5d 5s 6c Jc] [8h]
actzeng shows three of a kind, Fives
dmoney128 shows a full house, Fives full of Eights
dmoney128 wins the pot (4,110) with a full house, Fives full of Eights
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 4,110 | Rake 0
Board: [5d 5s 6c Jc 8h]
Seat 1: actzeng (big blind) showed [5h 9d] and lost with three of a kind, Fives
Seat 2: tsar007 folded on the Turn
Seat 5: dmoney128 (small blind) showed [8c 5c] and won (4,110) with a full house, Fives full of Eights

I will never profit ever again

Full Tilt Poker Game #7689354605: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (58482766), Table 1 - 100/200 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:06:58 ET - 2008/08/17Seat 5: DannysUncle (1,573)Seat 6: soiceee1 (4,560)Seat 7: Silentghost (5,947)Seat 8: actzeng (1,420)soiceee1 posts the small blind of 100Silentghost posts the big blind of 200The button is in seat #5*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to actzeng [Qc Ah]actzeng has 15 seconds left to actactzeng raises to 1,420, and is all inDannysUncle foldssoiceee1 raises to 2,640Silentghost foldssoiceee1 shows [Ac Js]actzeng shows [Qc Ah]Uncalled bet of 1,220 returned to soiceee1*** FLOP *** [5c Tc 4c]*** TURN *** [5c Tc 4c] [5s]*** RIVER *** [5c Tc 4c 5s] [Jc]soiceee1 shows a flush, Ace highactzeng shows a flush, Queen highsoiceee1 wins the pot (3,040) with a flush, Ace highactzeng stands up*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 3,040 Rake 0Board: [5c Tc 4c 5s Jc]Seat 5: DannysUncle (button) didn't bet (folded)Seat 6: soiceee1 (small blind) showed [Ac Js] and won (3,040) with a flush, Ace highSeat 7: Silentghost (big blind) folded before the FlopSeat 8: actzeng showed [Qc Ah] and lost with a flush, Queen high

It's plays like this....

I really do have a complete and total mental block that prevents me from playing poker. I think I might be done.


Full Tilt Poker Game #7677983565: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (Turbo) (58401758), Table 1 - 100/200 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:03:23 ET - 2008/08/16
Seat 1: BadBeats1013 (4,995)
Seat 2: Diego2486 (1,300)
Seat 3: actzeng (2,705)
actzeng posts the small blind of 100
BadBeats1013 posts the big blind of 200
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Ts Th]
Diego2486 folds
actzeng calls 100
BadBeats1013 raises to 1,000
actzeng has 15 seconds left to act
actzeng raises to 2,705, and is all in
BadBeats1013 calls 1,705
actzeng shows [Ts Th]
BadBeats1013 shows [As Ac]
*** FLOP *** [2s 5s 7c]
*** TURN *** [2s 5s 7c] [Qh]
*** RIVER *** [2s 5s 7c Qh] [Jd]
actzeng shows a pair of Tens
BadBeats1013 shows a pair of Aces
BadBeats1013 wins the pot (5,410) with a pair of Aces
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 5,410 | Rake 0
Board: [2s 5s 7c Qh Jd]
Seat 1: BadBeats1013 (big blind) showed [As Ac] and won (5,410) with a pair of Aces
Seat 2: Diego2486 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: actzeng (small blind) showed [Ts Th] and lost with a pair of Tens

Or this hand

Full Tilt Poker Game #7665087040: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (58306147), Table 1 - 40/80 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:05:10 ET - 2008/08/15Seat 1: direstr8ts (1,075)Seat 2: AP-007 (780), is sitting outSeat 3: actzeng (1,305)Seat 4: bucklane (1,540)Seat 6: SlowPlayah (2,755)Seat 7: Kanacko (1,635)Seat 8: kyddad (1,945)Seat 9: mormonee (2,465)direstr8ts posts the small blind of 40AP-007 posts the big blind of 80The button is in seat #9*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to actzeng [Ks Kc]AP-007 has returnedactzeng has 15 seconds left to actactzeng raises to 240bucklane foldsSlowPlayah foldsKanacko raises to 840kyddad foldsmormonee foldsdirestr8ts foldsAP-007 foldsactzeng raises to 1,305, and is all inKanacko calls 465actzeng shows [Ks Kc]Kanacko shows [Kd Ad]*** FLOP *** [6c As 5s]*** TURN *** [6c As 5s] [Jd]*** RIVER *** [6c As 5s Jd] [4d]actzeng shows a pair of KingsKanacko shows a pair of AcesKanacko wins the pot (2,730) with a pair of Acesactzeng stands up*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 2,730 Rake 0Board: [6c As 5s Jd 4d]Seat 1: direstr8ts (small blind) folded before the FlopSeat 2: AP-007 (big blind) folded before the FlopSeat 3: actzeng showed [Ks Kc] and lost with a pair of KingsSeat 4: bucklane didn't bet (folded)Seat 6: SlowPlayah didn't bet (folded)Seat 7: Kanacko showed [Kd Ad] and won (2,730) with a pair of AcesSeat 8: kyddad didn't bet (folded)Seat 9: mormonee (button) didn't bet (folded)

Or this hand

Full Tilt Poker Game #7664726137: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (58302859), Table 1 - 50/100 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:35:26 ET - 2008/08/15Seat 2: actzeng (1,250)Seat 5: ProLoser (3,400)Seat 6: whiskey_bar (7,370)Seat 8: chicagodrew1128 (1,480)chicagodrew1128 posts the small blind of 50actzeng posts the big blind of 100The button is in seat #6*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to actzeng [Qc Td]ProLoser foldswhiskey_bar foldschicagodrew1128 calls 50actzeng checks*** FLOP *** [2c Qd 9s]chicagodrew1128 checksactzeng bets 100chicagodrew1128 calls 100*** TURN *** [2c Qd 9s] [5d]chicagodrew1128 checksactzeng bets 400chicagodrew1128 has 15 seconds left to actchicagodrew1128 raises to 1,280, and is all inactzeng calls 650, and is all inchicagodrew1128 shows [Qs 9c]actzeng shows [Qc Td]Uncalled bet of 230 returned to chicagodrew1128*** RIVER *** [2c Qd 9s 5d] [Jh]chicagodrew1128 shows two pair, Queens and Ninesactzeng shows a pair of Queenschicagodrew1128 wins the pot (2,500) with two pair, Queens and Ninesactzeng stands up*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 2,500 Rake 0Board: [2c Qd 9s 5d Jh]Seat 2: actzeng (big blind) showed [Qc Td] and lost with a pair of QueensSeat 5: ProLoser didn't bet (folded)Seat 6: whiskey_bar (button) didn't bet (folded)Seat 8: chicagodrew1128 (small blind) showed [Qs 9c] and won (2,500) with two pair, Queens and Nines

Not worth trying to reformat this hand.

Full Tilt Poker Game #7664293836: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (58298792), Table 1 - 60/120 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:00:07 ET - 2008/08/15Seat 2: Manofsteel86 (5,230)Seat 3: actzeng (1,990)Seat 4: KittyToes (1,640)Seat 7: barkero (3,855)Seat 9: Hautian99 (785)actzeng posts the small blind of 60KittyToes posts the big blind of 120The button is in seat #2*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to actzeng [As 4h]barkero foldsHautian99 foldsManofsteel86 foldsactzeng raises to 360KittyToes raises to 1,640, and is all inactzeng calls 1,280KittyToes shows [Kc Qd]actzeng shows [As 4h]*** FLOP *** [Jh 5s Ac]*** TURN *** [Jh 5s Ac] [4c]*** RIVER *** [Jh 5s Ac 4c] [Ts]KittyToes shows a straight, Ace highactzeng shows two pair, Aces and FoursKittyToes wins the pot (3,280) with a straight, Ace high*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 3,280 Rake 0Board: [Jh 5s Ac 4c Ts]Seat 2: Manofsteel86 (button) didn't bet (folded)Seat 3: actzeng (small blind) showed [As 4h] and lost with two pair, Aces and FoursSeat 4: KittyToes (big blind) showed [Kc Qd] and won (3,280) with a straight, Ace highSeat 7: barkero didn't bet (folded)Seat 9: Hautian99 didn't bet (folded)

All is Calm on the Eastern Front

Still no baby. Wife had a non-stress test today. Took up about 3 hours at the hospital. Basically, they hooked up two electropads to her to monitor the baby's movement and heartbeat, and kept it on for 20 minutes. The results were being recorded on a long roll-type printout sheet, almost like a plolygraph test. The baby is fine. We're just waiting.

We talked to the nurse-midwife today, Deb, who put us at ease about inducing labor. She says that more couples nowadays seem to want to be induced when they're this far along because of the discomfort, so our opinion - basically that the baby will come when she's ready - is sort of the minority position. When it gets about 2 weeks post-due, she said, there may be some issues. That gives us a ton of time. We're scheduled to be induced next Wednesday, but if it comes around and there's still no baby, we'll probably re-schedule for a later day.

I still am playing horrible in poker. Dropped down to the $2 games, which is probably the best thing I could possibly do. It's like a professional player just missing layups for no reason. Or Knoblauch not being able to throw to first. I hope that's not the case, because I've had Knobloauch moments in Softball. Just real ugly - couldn't throw the ball to first - it either went straight into the ground or wherever. It's all mental. It's a confidence thing, I think. Just a mental block. This doesn't happen when I drink, which is weird, and neither did the throwing-the-ball thing occur when I played after putting a few away. It's some weird anxiety thing. I knew exactly how A-Rod felt when he was going through the throwing problems he had. I think I'm going through that now, but in poker, which I didn't think was possible.

Running Bad/Playing Bad

When Full Tilt isn't through screwing me enough, I am just playing like a moron. I play at my worst and most frustrating when I get the - "I don't believe you" syndrome, where I just don't believe anyone has anything anytime they raise. I screw myself by getting my money in bad, and when I do get my money in good (see AK vs. KQ below), FTP will do the honors for me:

Full Tilt Poker Game #7624836217: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (58003724), Table 1 - 25/50 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:23:27 ET - 2008/08/12
Seat 1: Junedog79 (645)
Seat 2: AKLSkillz (1,635)
Seat 3: actzeng (1,335)
Seat 4: DJ_Louis_75018 (1,055)
Seat 5: oLa (1,605)
Seat 6: tmsplatt1 (1,730)
Seat 7: BigPhillyEd (1,230)
Seat 8: tiltisthename (1,545)
Seat 9: dagmangirl (2,720)
tmsplatt1 posts the small blind of 25
BigPhillyEd posts the big blind of 50
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Ac Ks]
tiltisthename folds
dagmangirl folds
Junedog79 folds
AKLSkillz raises to 100
actzeng raises to 375
DJ_Louis_75018 has 15 seconds left to act
DJ_Louis_75018 raises to 1,055, and is all in
oLa folds
tmsplatt1 folds
BigPhillyEd folds
AKLSkillz folds
actzeng calls 680
DJ_Louis_75018 shows [Jd Ad]
actzeng shows [Ac Ks]
*** FLOP *** [Js 3h 6c]
*** TURN *** [Js 3h 6c] [9d]
*** RIVER *** [Js 3h 6c 9d] [7d]
DJ_Louis_75018 shows a pair of Jacks
actzeng shows Ace King high
DJ_Louis_75018 wins the pot (2,285) with a pair of Jacks
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,285 | Rake 0
Board: [Js 3h 6c 9d 7d]
Seat 1: Junedog79 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: AKLSkillz folded before the Flop
Seat 3: actzeng showed [Ac Ks] and lost with Ace King high
Seat 4: DJ_Louis_75018 showed [Jd Ad] and won (2,285) with a pair of Jacks
Seat 5: oLa (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: tmsplatt1 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: BigPhillyEd (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: tiltisthename didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: dagmangirl didn't bet (folded)

I made the call, saw the hole cards, and looked away and actually asked my wife to look at the screen for me. Luckily, she couldn't see it, so I was able to see the carnage for myself. WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Worst night of poker in a long, long time. Problem is, they're all being strung together.

Running in Place

Today is the day my daughter is supposed to come into the world, and she's not here yet. It sucks we're losing out on maternity time, since wife has to go back to work on a specific day. We went to the nurse-midwife this morning, and she said that wife is pretty much the same status as last week (not dilating at all). She also said that babies are born on their predicted due-date about 5% of the time, which I understand from poker, means you're crushed. That's fine. She'll get here when she's ready.

Wife has been off of work and totally bored. Mind you, this is 100% opposite of me, whereas I'm happy just lying in bed staring at the ceiling. She always has to be busy doing something. So we made today take-your-pregnant-wife-to-work day. So I dragged her with me to the office to make a few calls and took her to Court. We got there late in the morning session, but the Judge was very nice and went out of her way to talk to us once the court took a recess. I was surprised. It was nice for everyone to finally meet her. We did some Indian food and then just came back to chill, which is when I got in that $1 tourney.

I had fun playing with my daughter last night. She's actually quite responsive now to movement outside the belly. I can sort of rub my hand in a certain spot, and you can tell that she'll kick at it, and then stop. And then when I start up again, so does she. I have a feeling that she is going to be a very active girl/spoiled drama-queen.

This just happened. WHY?!

Full Tilt Poker Game #7621465009: $1 Tournament (57863156), Table 22 - 600/1200 Ante 150 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:15:39 ET - 2008/08/12
Seat 1: JenaieA (7,956)
Seat 2: iv8an (8,699)
Seat 3: pete-za-hutt (13,639)
Seat 4: Jason St Jean (32,016)
Seat 5: actzeng (13,735)
Seat 6: Al Kpok (22,590)
Seat 7: -Sir Improve- (40,690)
Seat 8: The Wrong Guy (10,503)
Seat 9: HempHog2 (31,600)
JenaieA antes 150iv8an antes 150pete-za-hutt antes 150Jason St Jean antes 150actzeng antes 150Al Kpok antes 150-Sir Improve- antes 150The Wrong Guy antes 150HempHog2 antes 150
HempHog2 posts the small blind of 600
JenaieA posts the big blind of 1,200
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Kd As]
iv8an foldspete-za-hutt folds
Jason St Jean folds
actzeng has 15 seconds left to act
actzeng raises to 3,000
Al Kpok folds-Sir Improve- folds
The Wrong Guy raises to 10,353, and is all in
HempHog2 has 15 seconds left to act
HempHog2 folds
JenaieA folds
actzeng has 15 seconds left to act
actzeng: am I messing with the wrong guy?
actzeng has requested TIME
actzeng calls 7,353
The Wrong Guy shows [Ks Qs]
actzeng shows [Kd As]
*** FLOP *** [2h Js 4s]
*** TURN *** [2h Js 4s] [2d]
*** RIVER *** [2h Js 4s 2d] [3s]
The Wrong Guy shows a flush, King high
actzeng shows a pair of Twos
The Wrong Guy wins the pot (23,856) with a flush, King high

What goes up

I am continuing to struggle, particularly in the $5 SNGs. I thought I was going to have some time to play yesterday, but ended up going to the in-laws. On the bright side, I was able to come home and watch my brother make a deep run in the Sunday Million on PS. Bankroll shifter right there - and awesome considering he satellited in for the min.

HU PLO despite my results, is not going that badly. I think I'm down only a little there recently, and I was able to make a massive chip comeback in one game. The problem is that after I get blistered out of the $5 SNGs, I don't really want to play, but feel a need to chase the losses by playing HU PLO. It's such a streaky thing though - you never know when you're going to rip off 6-straight wins.

I will continue to grind the $5 SNGs. Funny thing is that after my post a few days ago, it seems as if the 1000 milestone on sharkscope is almost like some artificial cap on my graph.

I did manage to get cash in the $1 turbo yesterday. The late stages of that tourney are so ridiculous - shove, shove, shove. Things become so automatic. I was able to suckout early on, and then lost a flip with 55 to QT to bust out. I had it until the river of course.

No baby. And it doesn't even look like we're close. I hope it's not too much longer. I was already planning on changing diapers and all that by now. She'll get here soon tho.

Keeps going

Full Tilt Poker Game #7584586061: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (57697167), Table 1 - 40/80 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:45:40 ET - 2008/08/10
Seat 1: nowvoyager (1,025)Seat 2: actzeng (970)Seat 3: liljun900 (3,855)Seat 5: weezy80 (1,820)Seat 6: guffy1 (2,900)Seat 8: Sif3506 (2,380)Seat 9: SkamperDog (550)weezy80 posts the small blind of 40guffy1 posts the big blind of 80The button is in seat #3*** HOLE CARDS

***Dealt to actzeng [Ah Qd]
Sif3506 foldsSkamperDog foldsnowvoyager foldsactzeng has 15 seconds left to actactzeng raises to 240liljun900 raises to 3,855, and is all inweezy80 foldsguffy1 foldsactzeng calls 730, and is all inliljun900 shows [2d As]actzeng shows [Ah Qd]Uncalled bet of 2,885 returned to liljun900*** FLOP *** [3s 6c 6s]*** TURN *** [3s 6c 6s] [8s]*** RIVER *** [3s 6c 6s 8s] [5s]liljun900 shows a flush, Ace highactzeng shows a pair of Sixesliljun900 wins the pot (2,060) with a flush, Ace highactzeng stands up*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 2,060 Rake 0Board: [3s 6c 6s 8s 5s]Seat 1: nowvoyager didn't bet (folded)Seat 2: actzeng showed [Ah Qd] and lost with a pair of SixesSeat 3: liljun900 (button) showed [2d As] and won (2,060) with a flush, Ace highSeat 5: weezy80 (small blind) folded before the FlopSeat 6: guffy1 (big blind) folded before the FlopSeat 8: Sif3506 didn't bet (folded)Seat 9: SkamperDog didn't bet (folded)

The Donk Parade Continues

Full Tilt Poker Game #7584185022: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (57696060), Table 1 - 15/30 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:09:02 ET - 2008/08/10
Seat 1: actzeng (1,485)
Seat 3: littlefalcon (1,455)
Seat 4: JackShaw13 (1,500)
Seat 5: buddha1952 (1,500)
Seat 6: getshookson (4,560)
Seat 8: redhed78 (1,500)
Seat 9: ptran06 (1,500)
littlefalcon posts the small blind of 15J
ackShaw13 posts the big blind of 30
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Qc Qh]
buddha1952 calls 30
getshookson folds
redhed78 folds
ptran06 raises to 135
actzeng raises to 480
littlefalcon folds
JackShaw13 folds
buddha1952 folds
ptran06 has 15 seconds left to actptran06 calls 345
*** FLOP *** [8d 3d 4h]
ptran06 checks
actzeng bets 1,005, and is all in
ptran06 has 15 seconds left to act
ptran06 calls 1,005
actzeng shows [Qc Qh]
ptran06 shows [6s 8s]
*** TURN *** [8d 3d 4h] [8c]
*** RIVER *** [8d 3d 4h 8c] [Kh]a
ctzeng shows two pair, Queens and Eights
ptran06 shows three of a kind, Eightsptran06 wins the pot (3,045) with three of a kind, Eightsactzeng stands up

It extends to MTTs also

These were literally the two hands right after the hour break -

Full Tilt Poker Game #7579196234: $1 Tournament (57545854), Table 69 - 50/100 - No Limit Hold'em - 17:12:25 ET - 2008/08/09
JBRQB16 posts the small blind of 50
romatusan posts the big blind of 100
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Ks Ah]
sbeefyk1 folds
HighLife06 has 15 seconds left to act
HighLife06 folds
actzeng raises to 350
tv23 has 15 seconds left to act
tv23 is sitting out
tv23 has timed out
tv23 folds
TXSPIRIT calls 350
jack13111 folds
gaga57 folds
JBRQB16 folds
romatusan folds
*** FLOP *** [Qc 8h 3d]
actzeng bets 2,325, and is all in
tv23 has returned
TXSPIRIT calls 750, and is all in
actzeng shows [Ks Ah]
TXSPIRIT shows [As 8s]
Uncalled bet of 1,575 returned to actzeng
*** TURN *** [Qc 8h 3d] [5s]
*** RIVER *** [Qc 8h 3d 5s] [8d]
actzeng shows a pair of Eights
TXSPIRIT shows three of a kind, Eights
TXSPIRIT wins the pot (2,350) with three of a kind, Eights
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,350 | Rake 0
Board: [Qc 8h 3d 5s 8d]
Seat 1: jack13111 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: gaga57 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: JBRQB16 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: romatusan (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: sbeefyk1 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: HighLife06 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: actzeng showed [Ks Ah] and lost with a pair of Eights
Seat 8: tv23 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: TXSPIRIT showed [As 8s] and won (2,350) with three of a kind, Eights



Full Tilt Poker Game #7579211226: $1 Tournament (57545854), Table 69 - 50/100 - No Limit Hold'em - 17:13:36 ET - 2008/08/09
Seat 1: jack13111 (3,890)
Seat 2: gaga57 (1,150)
Seat 3: JBRQB16 (6,840)
Seat 4: romatusan (10,125)
Seat 5: sbeefyk1 (5,905)
Seat 6: HighLife06 (5,770)
Seat 7: actzeng (1,575)
Seat 8: tv23 (7,460)
Seat 9: TXSPIRIT (2,350)
romatusan posts the small blind of 50
sbeefyk1 posts the big blind of 100
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Qc Ac]
HighLife06 raises to 200
actzeng raises to 750
tv23 folds
TXSPIRIT folds
jack13111 folds
gaga57 folds
JBRQB16 has 15 seconds left to act
JBRQB16 is sitting out
JBRQB16 has timed out
JBRQB16 folds
romatusan folds
sbeefyk1 folds
JBRQB16 has returned
HighLife06 calls 550
*** FLOP *** [6d Jd 2d]
HighLife06 bets 5,020, and is all in
actzeng calls 825, and is all in
HighLife06 shows [Ks Qs]
actzeng shows [Qc Ac]
Uncalled bet of 4,195 returned to HighLife06
*** TURN *** [6d Jd 2d] [3h]
*** RIVER *** [6d Jd 2d 3h] [Kh]
HighLife06 shows a pair of Kings
actzeng shows Ace King high
HighLife06 wins the pot (3,300) with a pair of Kings
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3,300 | Rake 0
Board: [6d Jd 2d 3h Kh]
Seat 1: jack13111 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: gaga57 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: JBRQB16 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: romatusan (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: sbeefyk1 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: HighLife06 showed [Ks Qs] and won (3,300) with a pair of Kings
Seat 7: actzeng showed [Qc Ac] and lost with Ace King high
Seat 8: tv23 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: TXSPIRIT didn't bet (folded)

Things not going well

It was bound to happen, but in the last few SNGs have not gone well. Low stacked and 3 handed, I pushed A4hh into the chipleader. He made a tough call with KK.

Next game VERY early on, I raised in EP with AK, got RRAI from the BB. I figure the RRAI at that point is from a weak hand, and called for basically all my chips. He had 88 and I couldn't hit. I ended up going out with JT on a T high board to the same guy who had raised pre with QQ.

Next game, UTG was crippled pretty had the previous hand, and moves all in with about 600 chips with A5, I call in the BB with JJ, I lose. No prob, I still have chips though. Then promptly lose them all about 10 hands later when my AA cannot beat 77.

I can't think of another way to play this

Full Tilt Poker Game #7563369703: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (57535199), Table 1 - 100/200 - No Limit Hold'em - 14:47:27 ET - 2008/08/08
Seat 1: champ7710 (5,460)
Seat 4: actzeng (1,530)
Seat 7: pierd1989 (3,770)
Seat 9: RTNM (2,740)
RTNM posts the small blind of 100
champ7710 posts the big blind of 200
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Js Jh]
actzeng raises to 1,530, and is all in
pierd1989 folds
RTNM folds
champ7710 calls 1,330
actzeng shows [Js Jh]
champ7710 shows [Ks Ad]
*** FLOP *** [9s Kc Td]
*** TURN *** [9s Kc Td] [7h]
*** RIVER *** [9s Kc Td 7h] [Kd]
actzeng shows two pair, Kings and Jacks
champ7710 shows three of a kind, Kings
champ7710 wins the pot (3,160) with three of a kind, Kings
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3,160 | Rake 0
Board: [9s Kc Td 7h Kd]
Seat 1: champ7710 (big blind) showed [Ks Ad] and won (3,160) with three of a kind, Kings
Seat 4: actzeng showed [Js Jh] and lost with two pair, Kings and Jacks
Seat 7: pierd1989 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: RTNM (small blind) folded before the Flop

As I predicted

I played like shit tonight. Started off well enough with a second place finish, where I was about 5-1 chip underdog. I had 72 I think and flop came 557. We moved it and he had K5. Then lost a $5 SNG. Then lost another one where in about 30 seconds I went from the shortstack, to chipleader, to out on the bubble. Tiiiiiiiilt.

Then won 3 HU PLO games to salvage a frustrating breakeven night.

Made it through the first hour of the $1 Turbo, only to get my money in when my A3 was dominated by A9.

The wife is now done working. She went out for a while with some work friends last night. I imagine that today will probably be my last real work day for quite some time also. It is 8/8, which is father's day in some Asian countries. I hear lots of people are getting c-sections so that their kids can be born on this day. I don't think we're that into it. My stance is, she'll come when she's ready. Tomorrow would be nice though.

The olympics start today. I couldn't care less.

Other observations

I have also noticed a significant shift in high stakes cash game play online. The old guard is losing a ton of money. Maybe it has always been this swingy, but I look at guys - especially the cardrunner guys - and think that they should hang it up and do something else - or at least think about it. I don't know if it's because they post their videos online or if the game has changed, or if its the dramatic shift towards PLO. Seems like they're all on a downswing. I heard Durrrr on PAD say he was on a $2M downswing. Eric Liu, Benefield - Townsend goes nowhere near the games he used to play regularly. Even Wiggins - in his latest post he indicated that he was at or near busto on FTP. Guys like Gus and Benyamine are just degens and will always play at those stakes no matter who is playing. Antonius has also been losing a ton. Reading Daniel's blog about the golf stuff makes me seriously question how long he might still be able to live his life the way he's going.

Of whom can it be said that he/she is a "great online cash game player" right now? Benyamine is in the conversation, Ivey also. Singer has been playing well. Lolina, who I think is Tim Phan. Maybe durrr does still make a ton. My point is, I feel like things are shifting. I wonder how long CR will be able to last when all of their pros go online busto.

Can't complain

I know that I use this blog a lot to bitch about horrible beats in poker and all of that, but lately, I really can't complain about the way things have been going. My ROI this month is really high, (over 30% in SNGs) and my ROI in the $5 SNGs is climbing back to par (still just under 9%, which I consider to be par - for me, anyways). Lately, I've been able to catch huge hands early on, and then be able to sit back, sit back, and wait for another chance to pounce. Not that I've won every SNG or not made stupid moves, or suffered horrible beats (although my 80-20 situations have been holding up for the most part). In fact, over the most recent run, I think I have only won about 2 or 3. In the last 100 SNGs or so, I am up about $150, which is good, considering what my bankroll is. I think they key is just paying attention, and knowing when to fold when I'm beat. I am basically one $5 SNG away from crossing the $1k threshold on sharkscope, and crossing the $700 threshold on my BR. I don't want to get ahead of myself though.

There are spots now where I used to shove or raise pre-flop, but I'm starting to interpret certains spots where it's more effective to float pre, and bet later, especially when I am deepstacked. Look at that - me actually paying attention to post-flop play! I have realized that I should have been doing this for about a year and half now, and I think I go in and out of zones where I actually implement this strategy to my game. I think when I start raising all in pre, or trying to win hands preflop, it's just impatience or laziness. It all depends on stack sizes/blind sizes. Sometimes you're able to get in a zone where you can see the whole field - as they say in QB terminology. I feel like I've been close to that. There have been times where I feel like I have been firmly in it. Actually, probably only once - when I got back from my honeymoon and made $250 in about 80 games. That was a BR changer.

The MTTs have gone absolutely nowhere. Not really paying attention, and simply losing after flopping top pair or whatever.

I'm not naive enough to think that the good run will last forever, or that I cannot improve, or that some of this is just due to the fact that certain hands are holding up, or my AK is connecting with the flop. For one, my style of play is probably still too conservative to be optimal. I play to make the money, not necessarily to go for the win, and sometimes that mindset is what holds me back. Depending on relative stack sizes and blinds, I still cannot find it within me to raise A5dd on the button when it's 4 handed. Of course, I'm sure the bad run will start right when I hit the "publish post" button in about 10 seconds.

And of course this is all low stakes stuff, so to most people the $150 I'm talking about is a mere pittance.

The surge is coming

Been running like dog doo recently. One game I caught 55 three times and did not win with it once. I went from huge chipleader to finishing third, oh well. I backed down the $2 games for a few because at the times I was playing, I did not feel as if I could have focused 100% on the games. Plus, I am just not winning the flips. Last night had AQ vs. 33, I raised, he called. Flop is AJ3 rainbow, we get it all in right there, he has 33. Few hands later, I catch 77 in the BB, SB raises into me, we jam (maybe it was a bad idea to jam pre), he had AK, and catches it on the turn.

SNG madness has now ended. I think I won either 2 or 3 SNGs during the time, but didn't win anything in the raffle. The first raffle, I won a $75 token, which I still have not used.

I did a google search for "actzeng" and, unfortunately, this blog came up. I wish there was some way to escape that. I may have to start modifying the hand histories to erase my name, or put the hands through one of those hand-posting sites, which seems like a pain.

I was, however happy to see that the Marcus-Antoine guy or whatever his name is, was now negative on sharkscope, last I checked.

I exchanged unfriendly words with this guy -

Full Tilt Poker Game #7490349996: $2 + $0.25 Madness (56984166), Table 1 - 80/160 - No Limit Hold'em - 3:13:10 ET - 2008/08/03Seat 1: actzeng (2,900)Seat 3: nil45472 (2,150)Seat 4: Mark-Antoine (3,050)Seat 5: alenateli bags (890)Seat 7: yukug614 (1,615)Seat 9: Sheldonio (2,895)nil45472 posts the small blind of 80Mark-Antoine posts the big blind of 160The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [7c 7s]alenateli bags folds
yukug614 has 15 seconds left to act
yukug614 foldsSheldonio folds
actzeng raises to 480
nil45472 folds
Mark-Antoine raises to 3,050, and is all in
actzeng calls 2,420, and is all in
Mark-Antoine shows [2s Kd]
actzeng shows [7c 7s]
Uncalled bet of 150 returned to Mark-Antoine
*** FLOP *** [6d Ts Th]
*** TURN *** [6d Ts Th] [Ks]
*** RIVER *** [6d Ts Th Ks] [As]
Mark-Antoine shows two pair, Kings and Tens
actzeng shows two pair, Tens and Sevens
Mark-Antoine wins the pot (5,880) with two pair, Kings and Tens
actzeng stands up***

This is the classic "he shoved because he has nothing" and I caught him on it. Too bad the cards wouldn't cooperate. He said "Sick", to which I responded "Stupid", to which he responded that calling with 77 was "stupid" to which I said "nice move with K2".

Guy was a total ass and a liar. He said he was four-tabling and up $220 on the day, sharkscoped him, he was up $22. I don't know what 4 tabling has to do with anything, but it suggests to me that he was even that much MORE stupid by making that move with K2. I kept the screen up, and he lost heads up after blowing a massive chiplead by being aggro with nothing. Go figure - when you get your $ in bad, it sometimes doesn't work out.

Won a $2 SNG after that.

I love Cash Games!!!!

Full Tilt Poker Game #7489910247: Table Mabry (6 max) - $0.05/$0.10 - No Limit Hold'em - 2:22:05 ET - 2008/08/03
Seat 1: 79donDaane ($8.05)
Seat 2: Adiiiboiii ($5.90)
Seat 3: odoyle022 ($1.30)
Seat 4: actzeng ($3.60)
Seat 5: dagothegreat ($6.15)
Seat 6: zenmasterbeta ($4.20)
odoyle022 posts the small blind of $0.05
actzeng posts the big blind of $0.10
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [As Ac]
dagothegreat folds
zenmasterbeta calls $0.10
79donDaane folds
Adiiiboiii folds
odoyle022 folds
actzeng raises to $0.20
zenmasterbeta calls $0.10
*** FLOP *** [Qh Td 8d]
actzeng has 15 seconds left to act
actzeng bets $0.25
zenmasterbeta raises to $0.50
actzeng raises to $1.95
zenmasterbeta has 15 seconds left to act
zenmasterbeta raises to $4, and is all in
actzeng calls $1.45, and is all in
zenmasterbeta shows [Jh Qc]
actzeng shows [As Ac]
Uncalled bet of $0.60 returned to zenmasterbeta
*** TURN *** [Qh Td 8d] [Jc]
*** RIVER *** [Qh Td 8d Jc] [4h]
zenmasterbeta shows two pair, Queens and Jacks
actzeng shows a pair of Aces
zenmasterbeta wins the pot ($6.55) with two pair, Queens and Jacksactzeng is sitting out*** SUMMARY ***Total pot $7.25 Rake $0.70Board: [Qh Td 8d Jc 4h]Seat 1: 79donDaane didn't bet (folded)Seat 2: Adiiiboiii (button) didn't bet (folded)Seat 3: odoyle022 (small blind) folded before the FlopSeat 4: actzeng (big blind) showed [As Ac] and lost with a pair of AcesSeat 5: dagothegreat didn't bet (folded)Seat 6: zenmasterbeta showed [Jh Qc] and won ($6.55) with two pair, Queens and Jacks

Some Hands

Full Tilt Poker Game #7473814987: $5 + $0.50 Madness (56853585), Table 1 - 80/160 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:54:22 ET - 2008/08/01Seat 3: RubberDuck1 (4,975)Seat 6: actzeng (4,600)Seat 7: snowchance (3,925)RubberDuck1 posts the small blind of 80actzeng posts the big blind of 160The button is in seat #8*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to actzeng [4c 4h]snowchance foldsRubberDuck1 raises to 320actzeng calls 160*** FLOP *** [3d 5d Ts]RubberDuck1 checksactzeng checks*** TURN *** [3d 5d Ts] [4s]RubberDuck1 bets 160actzeng calls 160*** RIVER *** [3d 5d Ts 4s] [Th]RubberDuck1 bets 480actzeng has 15 seconds left to actactzeng raises to 1,600RubberDuck1 raises to 4,495, and is all inactzeng calls 2,520, and is all inUncalled bet of 375 returned to RubberDuck1*** SHOW DOWN ***RubberDuck1 shows [5h 5s] a full house, Fives full of Tensactzeng mucksRubberDuck1 wins the pot (9,200) with a full house, Fives full of Tensactzeng stands up*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 9,200 Rake 0Board: [3d 5d Ts 4s Th]Seat 3: RubberDuck1 (small blind) showed [5h 5s] and won (9,200) with a full house, Fives full of TensSeat 6: actzeng (big blind) mucked [4c 4h] - a full house, Fours full of TensSeat 7: snowchance didn't bet (folded)

Poker Update

Missed some wins in the last few games. Actually, the only real miss was yesterday. I finished 2nd in a $5 SNG. As usual, I was low stacked going into heads up and then made a charge, and then blew it all with A9 vs. AQ AIPF. I need to be more patient in those situations.

What really pissed me off was that the guy I had lost to should have knocked out by me waaaay earlier in the match. One hand, I limped in with 22, and flop came a 2. He bet, I called. Turn is a diamond, putting two diamonds on the board. He bet again. This time I raised pretty big. He called. River comes another diamond. he bets about the same size as my previous bet. I thought it unlikely that he hit runner runner flush, so I called, and he had it. Turns out that the called the turn raise with a diamond prayer.

One hand we had HU, I had turned trips, only to see him hit his open ended straight draw on the river. I will try to post the hands. They are on the laptop.

HU PLO continues to go pretty well, although I am probably jinxing myself as I type this. I think it's 6 in a row now.

On the baby front, it's still the waiting game. I have a daddy bootcamp tomorrow from 9 -12. Good to have it early and get it out of the way. Hopefully tonight is a quiet night where I can get in some poker. There won't be too many left.