O-Poker

I'm torn on what to do about the WSOP. At the beginning of the year, I posted the following as one of my goals:

Play 3-5 Medium to Large ($1,500+) Live Tourneys (Prelim/Main Events) – As I mentioned above, I may shoot for playing some smaller buy-in live tourneys instead of just the WSOP Main Event. I’m considering heading to Foxwoods for the Foxwoods Poker Classic for some of the mid-size events at the end of March/beginning of April. I’ll also probably plan a trip to the Las Vegas during the early WSOP events and maybe head back for the Main Event if I win my way in or do well in the early events.

I was unable to go to Foxwoods for the FPC because work is pretty crazy right now.

I'm debating between two options.

1. Head out to LV from 6/10-6/15 and play 1-2 prelim events and a lot of cash games.

Events taking place during this time frame:
6/11/2008 21 No-Limit Hold'em (3 day event) $5,000
6/11/2008 22 H.O.R.S.E. (3 day event) $3,000
6/12/2008 23 No-Limit Hold'em (3 day event) $2,000
6/12/2008 24 Pot-Limit Holdem/Omaha (3 day event) $2,500
6/13/2008 25 World Championship Heads Up No-Limit Hold'em $10,000
6/13/2008 26 Seven Card Razz (3 day event) $1,500
6/14/2008 27 No-Limit Hold'em (3 day event) $1,500
6/14/2008 28 Pot-Limit Omaha W/Rebuys (3 day event) $5,000
6/15/2008 29 No-Limit Hold'em (3 day event) $3,000
6/15/2008 30 World Championship Limit Hold'em (3 day event) $10,000

Would probably play some combination of Events 21, 23, & 27.

Pros

• I have a good excuse to head out during that time - My birthday and Father's Day. It could count as my wife's gift to me for both . :)
• I could play more than 1 WSOP event.
  
• I could stay at the Rio for very cheap thanks to a Harrah's Total Rewards flyer that I recently received in the mail.
• The $5k event has a pretty decent structure with 10k starting chips and 60 minute levels.
• There may be a blogger gathering during the same time. I've never made it to one of these. It would be awesome to meet a lot of other bloggers and put some faces to screen names.
  

Cons

• Probably wouldn't be able to go back and play in the Main Event even if I won a seat. (Not sure I could swing taking a week off and then another week 2 weeks later.)
• The structure for the smaller buy-in events isn't that great - $4k & $3k starting chips in the $2k and $1,500 events
  

2. Plan a trip during the Main Event and hope to win a seat before heading there.

Pros

• Get to play in the Main Event of the WSOP!!!
• Get to play in the Main Event of the WSOP!!!
• I had a blast when I played a couple of years ago (other than when Phil Ivey sat at my table)
• The field in the ME is weaker than any other large buy-in event. Some of the players are so horrible, you wonder how they are playing in a $10k Event.
• Potential for a lot larger win even if you just barely cash (lowest tier cash at the ME is probably equivalent to like 9-20th in a $1,500 event; 18th-27th in the $5k event)
• It is like 1,000 times more exciting to the play in the WSOP ME than any other tourney.
• If I win on a site like Pokerstars then I can get a free hotel on top of the WSOP package.
  

Cons

• All egss in 1 basket
• I may not qualify and be left standing on the sidelines watching like last year.
• May spend too much time, energy and bankroll trying to qualify and come up short.
• A long time to take off work.
• A lot of cash to put up for 1 tourney even if I win my way in.

Right now I am leaning more towards Option 1. I'll probably give myself another month to try and qualify for the WSOP ME. If I don't, I'll probably book the earlier trip.

Pokerstars WSOP Steps Follow Up

My original $100 investment in the steps is now down to one Step 5 Ticket and one Step 2 Ticket. I had been waiting around to find a weak Step 5 and stumbled across one last night. I wound up finishing a disappointing 3rd (replay Step 5). I'll probably play it one night this week. I have been amazed how many more beats you see in sngs vs. cash games due to the nature of the beast.

Can someone tell me how to put this on my sidebar (how to reduce the width)?

or how to put it in the header without screwing the header up?

EDIT: That is the best I could get it to look in the sidebar. Any suggestions?

Thanks - I'm computarded.

I watched most of the final table last night. I found myself rooting for RainKhan and Ivan Drago (not really Ivan, but the Russian guy). I didn't really want Yang to win and I am not sure why. It might have had something to do with Phil and Ali ripping on him left and right or maybe it was the fact that he had a huge chip lead and I like to root for the underdog. The simple fact is the guy ran over the table and put a tremendous amount of pressure on the other players. I am guessing that he also had a lot of big hands early. Other than the J8, he had a hand almost every time he went to showdown. He got sucked out on a few times when they were 4 handed and it never phased him. He maintained his cool in the face of a lot of pressure.

He will be good for poker. A nice change from Jamie Gold. (I'm really going out on a limb there.)

It will be interesting to see how the non-poker (and poker) world react to him over the next year. He mentions his religion and his family every chance that he gets. He is donating 10% of sizable winnings to several charities. He has stated that he will help in the fight for poker rights however he can.

He seems like a sincere quiet guy that a lot of America can relate to. Like him or not, he should be a great ambassador for poker over the next year.

I got back last night. I was definitely ready to be back home after a long trip. I had a great time in LV despite not qualifying for the main event. I'll post some of the stories and people that I met over the next few days.

Final Talley

Satellites = (-$4,300)
Tourneys = (-$880)
Cash Games = +$6,100

Total Profit = +800

I guess I should just stick to cash games....more (lots of details) to follow over next few days.

I didn't get into the Main Event. :(

I had horrible luck in one of the Satellites that I played.

1st Level. 25/50 blinds.
Starting Chips - 5k
I'm dealt QQ and raise to 150 utg.
Button re-raises to 400.
SB smooth calls.

Flop QJ5 rainbow.
SB checks.
I check.
Button makes it 1,200
SB makes it 3,000
I call.
Button goes all in.
SB goes all in.

Um....I call with the nuts

SB has AA (overpair)
Button has 55 (bottom set)
I have QQ (top set)

Turn is a 10, River is a K - For runner runner straight for SB's AA.

I win that pot and I have 16k chips in the 1st level. Oh well.

I'm doing pretty good in the cash games, but horrible in the sats - maybe I should have just stuck to cash games the whole time.

Trip to date
Satellites = (-$4,300)
Cash Games = +$3,100

I'm going to make this short and post more details later.

I played two super sats to the Main Event and didn't win a seat in either. I ran KK into AA in the first one and was out shortly after that.

I played the 2nd one yesterday and flopped a set vs an overpair early, only to have the overpair catch runner runner flush. I then nursed a short stack for what seemed like forever. There were 230 +/- entries and 22 seats awarded. I managed to bust in freaking 36th place. Way too close.

I played a little 5/10nl after that and finished up $1,300 - more details to follow.

Today is basically my last chance to get into the WSOP. I'm playing the $1k Super Sat at 1 pm. If I don't win my seat, I'll probably play cash the rest of the trip.

Trip to date
Satellites - ($2,120)
Cash Games - +$1,300

We leave tomorrow morning and arrive in the promised land mid-day LV time. As of now, my only immediate plans are to check-in to the Rio, head over to the Amazon Room and register for the 9 PM $1k Super Sat.

I will probably make it to the beginning of the P5s party before heading back for the Satellite. If I bust out early (not going to happen) then I'll go up and drown my sorrows at the P5s Off Topic Party at the Voodoo Lounge.

I am not entirely sure of my plans, but want to try to meet a few of the other bloggers in town. Leave a comment or shoot me an email if you want to try to meet up.

I plan on posting as often as possible and putting up a few pics.

Good Luck to all those in Las Vegas!!!

I think I am close to finishing my list of non-WSOP tourneys above $150 that are happening while I am out in Las Vegas. Please post a comment if I am missing something. (I have Bellagio, Rio, Wynn Venetian, Mirage, and Caesars Palace.)

You can leave a comment (or email me if you have my email address) if you would like an Excel copy of the list.

Since, I may not be playing in the WSOP Main Event, I am working on putting together an Excel spreadsheet with a schedule of all the tourneys around Las Vegas between July 5th and July 13th.

Does anyone know of any tourneys that might not be listed on the sites below or any that I should especially check out (great structure, etc)? I'll probably include all $200 and up tourneys (maybe $100 and up).

The list should be complete later in the week. Let me know if you want a copy.

Bellagio - I added all the Bellagio Cup and Daily/Nightly tourneys.

WSOP - I have the 7 PM $550s and the Super Sats (anything I'm missing?)

Venentian - Their deep stack series will be over - I'll get their regular tourney schedule.

http://www.allvegaspoker.com/tournaments.php - pretty complete list, but some out dated.

http://www.pokertournamentformula.com/las_vegas_poker_tournaments.htm - good list - not sure how recent it is.

I qualified for the Friday Pokerstars $1,050 WSOP Super Satellite, but we had plans that night so I unregistered from it. I used $650 of the W$ to register for the Sunday super sat and sold the rest. I wound up busting out in the low 200s out of 1,100+ (paying 62 seats).

I shook off the bustout and managed to focus on the FTP $500k guarantee and make it somewhat deep. I busted out when I shoved KQ (short stacked) and was called by the BB's AA. The poker gods had to give me hope with a KQJ106 board. I finished 204th for $450 +/-. Lucko and N82 went pretty deep (109th and 96th, respectively) and they were both at the same table as me for a while late. (I think they both doubled me up too).

Not sure what to do next (about the WSOP), I saw that pokerstars was running a $360 - 6 max double shootout to the WSOP until Midnight. It was about 10:30 PM, so I registered. 1st gets a seat, 2-4th gets $360 back, 5th gets $88. I would up finishing 4th. Close.

I won't be partying Thursday night (7/5) when I get to Las Vegas. Instead, I'll be playing a live sat or 2. I know that I will still have a blast in LV even if I don't qualify for the Main Event. I'm not down right now, just a little numb. I think that I devoted way to much time to trying to win a seat. In hindsight, maybe I should have just kept playing cash games (since that is where the money seems to be - for me at least).

I just qualified for the $1k WSOP Super Satellite on FTP tonight.

Dear cmitch,

You finished the tournament in 1st place.
You have received an entry into tournament #19790012:

Name: $1K Thurs. Main Event Qualifier
Buyin: $1000.00 + $60.00
Date: June 21 9:00 PM ET

I am running out of chances to win my Main Event seat. I basically have three chances left:

1. FTP $1k Super Sat tonight.

2. Pokerstars $650 Super Sat on Sunday (assuming I qualify for it)

3. Live $1k Super Satellite at the Rio on 7/5.

Hopefully, I can take it down tonight or Sunday. (Fingers crossed.)

I am a little frustrated right now. Just busted out of both of the WSOP guarantee tourneys. No bad beat stories.

Good luck everyone that is still in.

I haven't won my Main Event seat yet, but am heading to Vegas on July 5th anyway. Hopefully things will change this weekend. I'm going to play the 100 seat FTP Guarantee and the 150 Pokerstars Guarantee. I liked the FTP 100 seat guarantee last year.

I have been really busy at work since getting back from the beach a couple weeks ago. I haven't played much or posted much. I plan to pick up the pace on both.

I'm getting excited about the WSOP. Especially, after watching several of the events on the 1 hour delayed WSOP coverage package - definitely worth the $50 price tag.

I was reading though my WSOP posts from last year (getting the WSOP fever) and thought I would link a few here - in case anyone is interested in reading through them (and for lack of being able to think of anything to post right now):

Can I get you autograph? Um, What?

Post I made right after busting out/getting crippled by Phil Ivey

WSOP 2006 Main Event Trip Report - Part 1 (Tiffany Williamson)

WSOP 2006 Main Event Trip Report - Part 2 (New Table/Old Guys)

WSOP 2006 Main Event Trip Report - Part 3 (My Demise)

The WSOP Main Event is right around the corner and I haven't won my seat yet. I'm not getting discouraged yet. After all, I won my seat to the Pokerstars PCA this year in their last chance satellite. I, also, won my 2nd seat to the WSOP last year in FTP's 100 seat guarantee tourney. I think that I will probably focus on the WSOP sats over the next week and a half.


"Dear sportingimag,

You finished the tournament in 1st place.
You qualified to play in Tournament #51775993 and are automatically registered for it.
See Tournament #51775993 Lobby for further details.

If you choose to unregister from this tournament your account will be credited
with 1,050.00 W$."


I won entry into the Pokerstars Friday $1k WSOP Super Satellite last night, but am not sure if I am going to play that satellite or spread the W$ around to a few other tourneys. I might use W$225 to play the $225 satellite tonight to the $1k Friday Super Sat and try to pad the W$. If I don't qualify for the $1k super sat again, I will still have W$825 to use for the $650 super sat on Sunday and some additional satellites.

Below is my current (as of today) plan for satellites:

Pokerstars
6/7/07 - $225 Satellite to the $1k Friday Super Sat
6/8/07 - $1k WSOP Super Sat - if I win another entry to it tonight
6/8/07-6/9/07 - Sats to the $650 Super Sat
6/10/07 - $650 WSOP Super Sat - if I have W$ left over after the $1k Super
6/17/07 - $370 WSOP 150 Seat Super Sat

FTP
6/7/07 - Might play a $281 SNG satellite to the $1k WSOP Super Sat tonight - ?? If I have time??
6/7/07 - $1k WSOP Super Sat - if I win another entry to it in a SNG ***EDIT: It looks like I will be playing in the $1k Sat tonight - won 1st SNG sat I tried.
6/8/07-6/17/07 - Satellites to the $1k and $535 100 seat guarantee Super Sats
6/17/07 - $535 100 Seat Guarantee Tourney

Hopefully, I can luck my into a WSOP ME seat sometime over the next week and a half.

Good luck to all those in Las Vegas and all those still trying to win their seats to the Main Event.

EDIT (just won entry into the FTP $1k tonight

I am starting to get the WSOP fever. It seems like everyone is enjoying and is excited about the WSOP despite Harrah's blunders - cards, lines, table numbering, shuffling procedures, etc., etc. I am restless.

I could just be feeling this way because it is my first day back at work after a week at the beach doing as much relaxing as you can with a 5 yr old and 1 1/2 yr old in tow. It might be seeing MrSmokey1 take down the first WSOP event and become the youngest winner of a WSOP bracelet. (A record that isn't likely to ever be broken since he is just a couple weeks past his 21st birthday.) I am wishing that I could make the blogger gathering this weekend in LV, but it just didn't work out.

I am all booked for my WSOP experience. My wife, her friend and I fly into Las Vegas on July 5th (seems like 1 year away instead of 1 month). They return home on July 9th and I return home July 13th (longer if things work out for me in the Main Event). We are staying at the Rio so that we can be in the heart of the action plus I really like the idea of being able to head up to my room and take a shower during the dinner break. I can't wait.

I am not sure of my poker plans from now until I leave for LV. I will probably try to play more MTTs than usual if work and home life permit. I find that my tourney game suffers when I am playing a ton of 6 max cash games because I get into the cash game thinking when playing a tourney. I start to continuation bet way too much, wind up playing too many large pots, and not giving other players as much credit for hands as I should (especially in the early levels). I will probably try to play a few WSOP ME sats over the next few weeks.

Razz - I was messing around the weekend (for a change of pace) with a little bit of Razz and was surprised by the poor play by some opponents - even at 20/40. There are definitely some solid regulars in the games, but also quite a few people that jump in without much idea of what they are doing. It is very easy to milk quite a bit out of some of the guys that don't know when to slow down, especially if you have shown willingness to lay down some hands to them. What started as a diversion has wound up being quite profitable. I think I will continue playing some Razz here and there when I am needing a break from holdem.

I'm worn out from the trip and being back at work, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to make the Mondays at the Hoy tonight or not.

Good luck at the tables, particularly those in Las Vegas!!!

WSOP

I am starting to make my WSOP plans. I am currently planning on heading out to Las Vegas on July 5th with my wife and one of her friends. There are two other couples that are considering going also, but I am going to make the plans now since they haven't decided yet. My current thinking is to book the Rio for 7/5/-7/12. My wife and her friend will leave on 7/9.

I plan to play a Super Satellite (or two) on 7/5 if I haven't won my seat to the Main Event before then. I may also play some of the the smaller events that start after the Main Event, if I don't qualify. Does anyone know if they are having additional events that start after the Main Event like last year? I haven't seen any on the schedule.

Are there any deals/sites that I should book my hotel through? I am planning on calling the Rio and seeing what rate they offer vs. the website and then trying to get the WSOP entrant discounted rate. Any idea if I can get the discounted rate if I only play the Super Sats and non-Main Event Tourneys (assuming they have some starting after the ME)?

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Charity Poker

I am heading to a convention this week and they have a poker tourney on Thursday night. I don't know any of the details (prizes, structure, # of players, etc.). The only thing that I know is that there are 80+ people and probably at least 40-50 spouses/significant others goings for a total of 120-130. I am guessing that there will probably be 40-50 in the tourney.

The tourney is scheduled from 10 PM - 12 PM. LOL. So if there are 40 that is one bustout every 3 minutes. It will be fun to see what structure they wind up with.

The funniest thing is there are a couple of people that I work with that think that I will have no problem winning the tourney. In their mind I must be better than all the other people in the tourney because I have won seats/trips to Aruba, WSOP Main Event, and Atlantis in the past. (I try not to discuss any big $$ wins at work) A few of them don't seem to understand the amount of luck that will be involved in doing well in a 2 hour live tourney, no matter how much I try to explain. Oh well, it should be fun donking it up will people that aren't sure whether a straight beats a flush or full house.

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Blogger Poker Tour

I didn't get a chance to play the Mookie on Wednesday, so a few people were able to gain some ground on me. I will probably me able to play the MATH tonight, but not sure about the Mookie or Riverchasers.

I am certain that I will drop several spots unless I have a great showing tonight.