3 Amigos, 3 Monk Appointments, and Short Stack Makes Good

We had a great turnout for this weeks tourney. Michael brought three friends with him from ND. We also had a new player, Jeff. It takes some getting used to our bunch of lunatics and poker degenerates, but I think all four newbies had a good time. We played Ro-Sham-Bo before kicking off the tourney and Stacey took it down by defeating Brad. Stacey got 1000 chips for first and Brad 500 for second. I think everyone enjoys this game and so we will try to play it before each tourney at my house.

The players were - Kitty, Dylan, Joe, Armando, Toby, Jim, Brad, Mike Baaaa, Stacey, Phillip, Mark, Todd, Rico, Jeff, Stuart, David, and Michael Allan.

We got underway and there were 5 rebuys. We started with 10K in chips instead of 15K and I think this is the right mix with the no-rebuy bonus.

Michael Allen (K10) and Dylan (A3) got it all-in. Michael Allen was a good Texas host and gave all his chips to Dylan, his guest. Michael Allen was out in 17th and will be the recipient of the fish next week.

David got all-in with Dylan and his QQ was no match when Dylan found a third 7 for his 77. David was out in 16th, but happily on his way home to spend time with his new baby.

Stuart was Dylan's third victim - Stuart went in with the best AQo and Dylan called with A2h and caught a flush on the river. Three down and now Dylan had a very dominant chip lead at table 2. Stuart was out in 15th and began his trek up the mountain. (For the origin of this magical place, look at this post)

Jeff did well his first time out. He played aggressive and people had a hard time putting him on hands. I got lucky, lucky, luck when my 99 held against his A2. He pushed all in after the turn with a J577 board. I had chips so I called and my 9's held when the river was a 2. Jeff was out in 14th.

I unintentionally pissed Rico off. I had 66 in late position, Rico on my left. Blinds 1/2K. I limped, with three other players, including Rico. The pot was about 8K.

The flop was 659 rainbow. I bet 4K, Rico came over the top and raised it to 15K. Everyone else folded. I went into the tank and was thinking about what Rico might have to risk 15K of his 22K stack.

First, I thought about if I was ahead or behind? I was fearful he had 78 or 99. I assumed he did and did the math. I have to call 11K into 27K pot. Not quite 2.4:1. If he has the 99, I am drawing to 2 outs and I am basically dead, but set over set is very rare, so I discounted it. If he has 78, I will need a full house to beat him. I would have 3 outs for the 5 and three outs for the 9 + one out for my 4th 6 for a total of 7 outs. At that point I had ~3.5:1. In this case I should fold.

However, what if Rico is making a move? In that case I am in very good shape. He didn't go "all-in", so maybe his hand isn't GREAT. Maybe he paired the board? In that case I am a HUGE favorite. If I move all-in I would still have average stack even if I lose. If I push and he calls with a better hand, my odds increase. Do they increase enough?

If he calls the pot will be 8 + 22 + 22 = 52. I will have bet 18 (11 call his 15K bet, plus 7 for the all-in) to win 52. Roughly 3:1 odds. Close enough when considering the likelihood of him making a move over having 99 or 78. I pushed.

Rico turned over A9 for Top Pair Top Kicker. Another 9 came on the river and gave Rico trip 9's, but that gave me the full house.

Rico didn't mind losing - but he thought it was an automatic call. In the end it was, but for some reason I wasn't comfortable just calling. I took a long time to decide what to do and that may have sent the wrong signal. Not my intention... just a slow thinker. Sorry brotha... Rico left in 13th in a hurry. He had an appointment on the mountain.

Todd made a move with A9 and Kitty scratched his eyes out with 44. Todd was out in 12th. Todd was uncharacteristically tilting too. After Todd displayed some uncharacteristically "tilty" behavior, I had the following vision...



We were two to the final table now. Simultaneous hands occurred with all-in's on both tables.

I was involved in a hand with Phillip. He made a move with KJ and I called with AK for a huge pot. I was ahead and flop brought blanks for each of us. An A on the turn was all I needed and he was drawing dead on the river. I just about doubled up in this hand. Phillip fell in 11th.

On the other table... Joe took out Mark... no data provided... Mark was out in 10th.

Now two of the three Amigos were out.

We were at the final table with 9 instead of 10. The chip stacks were as follows:

Stacey was the first victim. She pushed with 77, but was no match for Toby's 10's. Stacey was out in 9th.

Mike Baaa, Brad, and Kitty got involved in a 3 way with Baaa all-in. Mike Baaa = A8o, Brad = k7d, Kitty = KJ. Kitty took down an 82K pot when a J was flopped and she and Brad checked it down. Mike Baaa was out in 8th.

I had started the final table in 2nd chip position. My strategy was not to get tricky and only play premium hands. My problem was I didn't get any premium hands. I did get AJs and raised to 18K (3x BB), Brad called with A7d and caught a 7 on the flop. That was an expensive hand for me and I was down to less than 50K.

My chip stack resembled this...



Brad took my chips and passed them on to Armando. Brad and Armando got all in with a race of AK vs. 44. A King on the river killed off Brad and made Armando a contender. Nice playing from being shorty at the beginning of the final table. Brad out in 7th.

I made a move with KJs and got called by Dylan (super-sized stack) with KQ. Knocked out by my favorite hand. Jim is out in 6th.

Our bubble-boy would be Toby. He was out in 5th by Dylan. Toby moved with AJd and Dylan played the jimmy again (KQ). A King on the flop ended the night for the Tobster.

Armando made the money. Nice play for a donkey.

Armando would be knocked out in 4th when he played the Jimmy against Kitty's JTd. Another J on the flop and Armando was done.

Joe would be Kitty's next victim. She buried him in the litter box by calling with 99 (9 lives twice) when he pushed with A4. Joe was out in 3rd.

Kitty and Dylan quickly chopped. He must have also seen the video. Kitty repeated with a chop. She will be the shark again.

Thanks for all those that brought food. We appreciate it!

Results of the points and jackpot are here.

Kevin was flying in from a business trip and never showed up, after he confirmed on the evite... maybe he will show up on the next episode of...