SCOOP Weekend (Saturday Edition)... May 15th (Mostly Live)

4:40pm Were back again, this time with the HORSE Event #36, and my first hand (joining late) is this

PokerStars Game #44142601915: Tournament #2010050361, $20+$2 USD HORSE (Hold'em Limit) - Level VI (80/160) - 2010/05/15 16:40:48 CT [2010/05/15 17:40:48 ET]
Table '2010050361 201' 8-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: cparsley (5000 in chips)
Seat 2: Mr_Chipo (4910 in chips)
Seat 3: instinctfab (4681 in chips)
Seat 4: maik1234 (1764 in chips)
Seat 5: NECTAR29 (4967 in chips)
Seat 6: krec23 (4704 in chips)
Seat 7: aiz9r (5402 in chips)
Seat 8: Elvispen (4396 in chips)
aiz9r: posts small blind 40
Elvispen: posts big blind 80
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [9d 9s]
cparsley: raises 80 to 160
Mr_Chipo: folds
instinctfab: folds
maik1234: calls 160
NECTAR29: calls 160
krec23: folds
aiz9r: folds
Elvispen: calls 80
*** FLOP *** [7s Qs 4c]
Elvispen: checks
cparsley: bets 80
maik1234: calls 80
NECTAR29: folds
Elvispen: calls 80
*** TURN *** [7s Qs 4c] [7d]
Elvispen: checks
cparsley: bets 160
maik1234: folds
Elvispen: calls 160
*** RIVER *** [7s Qs 4c 7d] [Qh]
Elvispen: checks
cparsley: bets 160
Elvispen: folds
Uncalled bet (160) returned to cparsley
cparsley collected 1240 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1240 | Rake 0
Board [7s Qs 4c 7d Qh]
Seat 1: cparsley collected (1240)
Seat 2: Mr_Chipo folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: instinctfab folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: maik1234 folded on the Turn
Seat 5: NECTAR29 folded on the Flop
Seat 6: krec23 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: aiz9r (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 8: Elvispen (big blind) folded on the River

2:15pm Don't ask me why, but I jumped into the $55 PLO, and just about when I finished typing this, I'm out :( Take a look at this silly ending

PokerStars Game #44135862353: Tournament #2010050341, $50+$5 USD Omaha Pot Limit - Level V (30/60) - 2010/05/15 14:17:51 CT [2010/05/15 15:17:51 ET]
Table '2010050341 245' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: coup royall (6790 in chips)
Seat 2: GermanEagle (2720 in chips)
Seat 3: cparsley (3395 in chips)
Seat 4: patarro (4230 in chips)
Seat 5: fusion5ny (5835 in chips)
Seat 6: ifoldAA219 (12040 in chips)
cparsley: posts small blind 30
patarro: posts big blind 60
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [4c 3c Qs Kh]
fusion5ny: calls 60
ifoldAA219: folds
coup royall: folds
GermanEagle: folds
cparsley: calls 30
patarro: checks
*** FLOP *** [Kd 3d 3h]
cparsley: checks
patarro: bets 120
fusion5ny: folds
cparsley: raises 420 to 540
patarro: raises 1260 to 1800
cparsley: raises 1535 to 3335 and is all-in
patarro: calls 1535
*** TURN *** [Kd 3d 3h] [Ad]
*** RIVER *** [Kd 3d 3h Ad] [Qh]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [4c 3c Qs Kh] (a full house, Threes full of Kings)
patarro: shows [5s As 2c 3s] (a full house, Threes full of Aces)
patarro collected 6850 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 6850 | Rake 0
Board [Kd 3d 3h Ad Qh]
Seat 1: coup royall folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: GermanEagle (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: cparsley (small blind) showed [4c 3c Qs Kh] and lost with a full house, Threes full of Kings
Seat 4: patarro (big blind) showed [5s As 2c 3s] and won (6850) with a full house, Threes full of Aces
Seat 5: fusion5ny folded on the Flop
Seat 6: ifoldAA219 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

MMMMNNN SCOOP (Limit Variety and we're live)... May 14th

10:12pm And that's they wrote for me... pocket 9s ran into Aces for a 70th place finish and a payday of $224.60, nearly a $170 profit. See you all tomorrow!

9:55pm Break #6 "And it's a long one (15 minute break)"

Pokerstars.com Event #32L - Limit Hold'em 6 max event

Remaining Players: 71 Minimum Prize: $224.60

My Chips: 71,355

9:23pm Two open ended straights, guess who's got there?

PokerStars Game #44105268955: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XX (4000/8000) - 2010/05/14 21:22:14 CT [2010/05/14 22:22:14 ET]
Table '2010050321 338' 6-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: cparsley (105159 in chips)
Seat 2: A2 Sauce (84154 in chips)
Seat 3: Donkey X (98676 in chips)
Seat 4: River8000 (57554 in chips)
Seat 5: poulgreen (89095 in chips)
Seat 6: shotpepper (99978 in chips)
shotpepper: posts small blind 2000
cparsley: posts big blind 4000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [9d 7c]
A2 Sauce: folds
Donkey X: folds
River8000: folds
poulgreen: raises 4000 to 8000
shotpepper: folds
cparsley: calls 4000
*** FLOP *** [4c Th 8s]
cparsley: checks
poulgreen: bets 4000
cparsley: calls 4000
*** TURN *** [4c Th 8s] [4s]
cparsley: checks
poulgreen: bets 8000
cparsley: calls 8000
*** RIVER *** [4c Th 8s 4s] [Jh]
cparsley: checks
poulgreen: bets 8000
cparsley: raises 8000 to 16000
poulgreen: calls 8000
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [9d 7c] (a straight, Seven to Jack)
poulgreen: mucks hand
cparsley collected 74000 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 74000 | Rake 0
Board [4c Th 8s 4s Jh]
Seat 1: cparsley (big blind) showed [9d 7c] and won (74000) with a straight, Seven to Jack
Seat 2: A2 Sauce folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Donkey X folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: River8000 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: poulgreen (button) mucked [9s Jd]
Seat 6: shotpepper (small blind) folded before Flop

9:20pm MORE GET KNOCKED DOWN and get back up again (AK again)

PokerStars Game #44105185726: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XIX (3000/6000) - 2010/05/14 21:19:34 CT [2010/05/14 22:19:34 ET]
Table '2010050321 338' 6-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: cparsley (73659 in chips)
Seat 2: A2 Sauce (73654 in chips)
Seat 3: Donkey X (106176 in chips)
Seat 4: River8000 (62054 in chips)
Seat 5: poulgreen (131095 in chips)
Seat 6: shotpepper (87978 in chips)
shotpepper: posts small blind 1500
cparsley: posts big blind 3000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Ks Ah]
A2 Sauce: folds
Donkey X: folds
River8000: folds
poulgreen: raises 3000 to 6000
shotpepper: folds
cparsley: raises 3000 to 9000
poulgreen: calls 3000
*** FLOP *** [7d Ad 8c]
cparsley: bets 3000
poulgreen: calls 3000
*** TURN *** [7d Ad 8c] [3c]
cparsley: bets 6000
poulgreen: calls 6000
*** RIVER *** [7d Ad 8c 3c] [4c]
cparsley: bets 6000
poulgreen: calls 6000
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [Ks Ah] (a pair of Aces)
poulgreen: mucks hand
cparsley collected 49500 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 49500 | Rake 0
Board [7d Ad 8c 3c 4c]
Seat 1: cparsley (big blind) showed [Ks Ah] and won (49500) with a pair of Aces
Seat 2: A2 Sauce folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Donkey X folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: River8000 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: poulgreen (button) mucked [9d 7s]
Seat 6: shotpepper (small blind) folded before Flop

9:19pm Best laid plans can go so terribly wrong

PokerStars Game #44105121382: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XIX (3000/6000) - 2010/05/14 21:17:32 CT [2010/05/14 22:17:32 ET]
Table '2010050321 338' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: cparsley (82659 in chips)
Seat 2: A2 Sauce (81154 in chips)
Seat 3: Donkey X (94176 in chips)
Seat 4: River8000 (50054 in chips)
Seat 5: poulgreen (135595 in chips)
Seat 6: shotpepper (90978 in chips)
cparsley: posts small blind 1500
A2 Sauce: posts big blind 3000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [As Kd]
Donkey X: folds
River8000: raises 3000 to 6000
poulgreen: folds
shotpepper: folds
cparsley: raises 3000 to 9000
A2 Sauce: folds
River8000: calls 3000
*** FLOP *** [3c Ts 2s]
cparsley: bets 3000
River8000: raises 3000 to 6000
cparsley: calls 3000
*** TURN *** [3c Ts 2s] [5h]
cparsley: checks
River8000: bets 6000
cparsley: calls 6000
*** RIVER *** [3c Ts 2s 5h] [Ac]
cparsley: checks
River8000: bets 6000
cparsley: calls 6000
*** SHOW DOWN ***
River8000: shows [Ah Tc] (two pair, Aces and Tens)
cparsley: mucks hand
River8000 collected 57000 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 57000 | Rake 0
Board [3c Ts 2s 5h Ac]
Seat 1: cparsley (small blind) mucked [As Kd]
Seat 2: A2 Sauce (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: Donkey X folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: River8000 showed [Ah Tc] and won (57000) with two pair, Aces and Tens
Seat 5: poulgreen folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: shotpepper (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

9:10pm Ummm yay...

PokerStars Game #44104873608: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XIX (3000/6000) - 2010/05/14 21:09:50 CT [2010/05/14 22:09:50 ET]
Table '2010050321 338' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: cparsley (56686 in chips)
Seat 2: A2 Sauce (93154 in chips)
Seat 3: Donkey X (116676 in chips)
Seat 4: River8000 (49027 in chips)
Seat 5: poulgreen (111595 in chips)
Seat 6: shotpepper (107478 in chips)
Donkey X: posts small blind 1500
River8000: posts big blind 3000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Th 8h]
poulgreen: folds
shotpepper: folds
cparsley: raises 3000 to 6000
A2 Sauce: folds
Donkey X: folds
River8000: calls 3000
*** FLOP *** [6d Td 3h]
River8000: checks
cparsley: bets 3000
River8000: calls 3000
*** TURN *** [6d Td 3h] [2s]
River8000: checks
cparsley: bets 6000
River8000: calls 6000
*** RIVER *** [6d Td 3h 2s] [3s]
River8000: checks
cparsley: bets 6000
River8000: calls 6000
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [Th 8h] (two pair, Tens and Threes)
River8000: mucks hand
cparsley collected 43500 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 43500 | Rake 0
Board [6d Td 3h 2s 3s]
Seat 1: cparsley showed [Th 8h] and won (43500) with two pair, Tens and Threes
Seat 2: A2 Sauce (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Donkey X (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: River8000 (big blind) mucked [Ah Ks]
Seat 5: poulgreen folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: shotpepper folded before Flop (didn't bet)

PokerStars Game #44104890977: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XIX (3000/6000) - 2010/05/14 21:10:21 CT [2010/05/14 22:10:21 ET]
Table '2010050321 338' 6-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: cparsley (79186 in chips)
Seat 2: A2 Sauce (93154 in chips)
Seat 3: Donkey X (115176 in chips)
Seat 4: River8000 (28027 in chips)
Seat 5: poulgreen (111595 in chips)
Seat 6: shotpepper (107478 in chips)
River8000: posts small blind 1500
poulgreen: posts big blind 3000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [As 6s]
shotpepper: folds
cparsley: calls 3000
A2 Sauce: folds
Donkey X: folds
River8000: folds
poulgreen: checks
*** FLOP *** [5c 9s 8s]
poulgreen: checks
cparsley: bets 3000
poulgreen: raises 3000 to 6000
cparsley: calls 3000
*** TURN *** [5c 9s 8s] [Js]
poulgreen: bets 6000
cparsley: raises 6000 to 12000
poulgreen: calls 6000
*** RIVER *** [5c 9s 8s Js] [2h]
poulgreen: checks
cparsley: bets 6000
poulgreen: calls 6000
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [As 6s] (a flush, Ace high)
poulgreen: mucks hand
cparsley collected 55500 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 55500 | Rake 0
Board [5c 9s 8s Js 2h]
Seat 1: cparsley showed [As 6s] and won (55500) with a flush, Ace high
Seat 2: A2 Sauce folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Donkey X (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: River8000 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: poulgreen (big blind) mucked [5s 8d]
Seat 6: shotpepper folded before Flop (didn't bet)

9:04pm Missed the tourney reset, 150 players remaining with a min payout of $134.76 at the moment!

8:48pm You get Aces, you wonder if your going to fall...

PokerStars Game #44104208035: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XVIII (2500/5000) - 2010/05/14 20:47:55 CT [2010/05/14 21:47:55 ET]
Table '2010050321 338' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: cparsley (42436 in chips)
Seat 2: A2 Sauce (41911 in chips)
Seat 3: GoeliO1 (25243 in chips)
Seat 4: River8000 (87027 in chips)
Seat 5: poulgreen (92345 in chips)
Seat 6: shotpepper (152228 in chips)
cparsley: posts small blind 1250
A2 Sauce: posts big blind 2500
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Ad Ah]
GoeliO1: raises 2500 to 5000
River8000: folds
poulgreen: folds
shotpepper: raises 2500 to 7500
cparsley: raises 2500 to 10000
Betting is capped
A2 Sauce: folds
GoeliO1: folds
shotpepper: calls 2500
*** FLOP *** [6s Kc 8c]
cparsley: bets 2500
shotpepper: calls 2500
*** TURN *** [6s Kc 8c] [5c]
cparsley: bets 5000
shotpepper: folds
Uncalled bet (5000) returned to cparsley
cparsley collected 32500 from pot
cparsley: shows [Ad Ah] (a pair of Aces)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 32500 | Rake 0
Board [6s Kc 8c 5c]
Seat 1: cparsley (small blind) collected (32500)
Seat 2: A2 Sauce (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: GoeliO1 folded before Flop
Seat 4: River8000 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: poulgreen folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: shotpepper (button) folded on the Turn

8:45pm On the felt, but back up ONCE AGAIN (2 parter)

PokerStars Game #44104078786: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XVII (2000/4000) - 2010/05/14 20:43:59 CT [2010/05/14 21:43:59 ET]
Table '2010050321 338' 6-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: cparsley (15968 in chips)
Seat 2: A2 Sauce (47161 in chips)
Seat 3: GoeliO1 (22493 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 4: River8000 (107745 in chips)
Seat 5: poulgreen (81595 in chips)
Seat 6: shotpepper (166228 in chips)
River8000: posts small blind 1000
poulgreen: posts big blind 2000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Ts Js]
shotpepper: folds
cparsley: calls 2000
A2 Sauce: raises 2000 to 4000
GoeliO1: folds
River8000: raises 2000 to 6000
poulgreen: folds
cparsley: calls 4000
A2 Sauce: calls 2000
*** FLOP *** [5s 2d Th]
River8000: bets 2000
cparsley: raises 2000 to 4000
A2 Sauce: folds
River8000: raises 2000 to 6000
GoeliO1 has returned
cparsley: raises 2000 to 8000
Betting is capped
River8000: calls 2000
*** TURN *** [5s 2d Th] [Jh]
River8000: bets 4000
cparsley: calls 1968 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (2032) returned to River8000
*** RIVER *** [5s 2d Th Jh] [8s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
River8000: shows [Qc Td] (a pair of Tens)
cparsley: shows [Ts Js] (two pair, Jacks and Tens)
River8000 said, "LOOOOL"
cparsley collected 39936 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 39936 | Rake 0
Board [5s 2d Th Jh 8s]
Seat 1: cparsley showed [Ts Js] and won (39936) with two pair, Jacks and Tens
Seat 2: A2 Sauce folded on the Flop
Seat 3: GoeliO1 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: River8000 (small blind) showed [Qc Td] and lost with a pair of Tens
Seat 5: poulgreen (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: shotpepper folded before Flop (didn't bet)

8:38pm MORE SICKNESS :( Down to 12k

PokerStars Game #44103857794: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XVII (2000/4000) - 2010/05/14 20:37:18 CT [2010/05/14 21:37:18 ET]
Table '2010050321 338' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: cparsley (30484 in chips)
Seat 2: A2 Sauce (38161 in chips)
Seat 3: GoeliO1 (34493 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 4: River8000 (125229 in chips)
Seat 5: poulgreen (88595 in chips)
Seat 6: shotpepper (124228 in chips)
cparsley: posts small blind 1000
A2 Sauce: posts big blind 2000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [7h Qh]
GoeliO1: folds
River8000: folds
poulgreen: folds
shotpepper: folds
cparsley: raises 2000 to 4000
A2 Sauce: calls 2000
*** FLOP *** [5c Qc 9h]
cparsley: bets 2000
A2 Sauce: calls 2000
*** TURN *** [5c Qc 9h] [3h]
cparsley: bets 4000
A2 Sauce: calls 4000
*** RIVER *** [5c Qc 9h 3h] [Ac]
cparsley: bets 4000
A2 Sauce: raises 4000 to 8000
cparsley: calls 4000
*** SHOW DOWN ***
A2 Sauce: shows [Ah 3s] (two pair, Aces and Threes)
cparsley: mucks hand
A2 Sauce collected 36000 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 36000 | Rake 0
Board [5c Qc 9h 3h Ac]
Seat 1: cparsley (small blind) mucked [7h Qh]
Seat 2: A2 Sauce (big blind) showed [Ah 3s] and won (36000) with two pair, Aces and Threes
Seat 3: GoeliO1 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: River8000 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: poulgreen folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: shotpepper (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

8:36pm Now, we got elimination #3 (Thrid Elimination)

PokerStars Game #44103779359: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XVII (2000/4000) - 2010/05/14 20:34:57 CT [2010/05/14 21:34:57 ET]
Table '2010050321 338' 6-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: cparsley (38770 in chips)
Seat 2: dfunks (3714 in chips)
Seat 3: GoeliO1 (36493 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 4: River8000 (126229 in chips)
Seat 5: poulgreen (110595 in chips)
Seat 6: shotpepper (102228 in chips)
dfunks: posts small blind 1000
GoeliO1: posts big blind 2000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [8s Ah]
River8000: folds
poulgreen: folds
shotpepper: folds
cparsley: raises 2000 to 4000
dfunks: calls 2714 and is all-in
GoeliO1: folds
Uncalled bet (286) returned to cparsley
*** FLOP *** [7c 5h Jc]
*** TURN *** [7c 5h Jc] [8c]
*** RIVER *** [7c 5h Jc 8c] [7h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
dfunks: shows [3d Qc] (a pair of Sevens)
cparsley: shows [8s Ah] (two pair, Eights and Sevens)
cparsley collected 9428 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 9428 | Rake 0
Board [7c 5h Jc 8c 7h]
Seat 1: cparsley (button) showed [8s Ah] and won (9428) with two pair, Eights and Sevens
Seat 2: dfunks (small blind) showed [3d Qc] and lost with a pair of Sevens
Seat 3: GoeliO1 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: River8000 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: poulgreen folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: shotpepper folded before Flop (didn't bet)

8:27pm AND UMMMMMMMM CHIPS for the SCOOP!

PokerStars Game #44103498366: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XVI (1600/3200) - 2010/05/14 20:26:30 CT [2010/05/14 21:26:30 ET]
Table '2010050321 338' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: cparsley (22170 in chips)
Seat 2: dfunks (51714 in chips)
Seat 3: GoeliO1 (44293 in chips) out of hand (moved from another table into small blind)
Seat 4: River8000 (64229 in chips)
Seat 5: poulgreen (108395 in chips)
Seat 6: shotpepper (127228 in chips)
River8000: posts small blind 800
poulgreen: posts big blind 1600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [3c 3h]
shotpepper: folds
cparsley: calls 1600
dfunks: raises 1600 to 3200
River8000: folds
poulgreen: folds
cparsley: calls 1600
*** FLOP *** [3d 9s Tc]
cparsley: checks
dfunks: bets 1600
cparsley: raises 1600 to 3200
dfunks: calls 1600
*** TURN *** [3d 9s Tc] [Qs]
cparsley: bets 3200
dfunks: raises 3200 to 6400
cparsley: raises 3200 to 9600
dfunks: calls 3200
*** RIVER *** [3d 9s Tc Qs] [6d]
cparsley: bets 3200
dfunks: calls 3200
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [3c 3h] (three of a kind, Threes)
dfunks: mucks hand
cparsley collected 40800 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 40800 | Rake 0
Board [3d 9s Tc Qs 6d]
Seat 1: cparsley showed [3c 3h] and won (40800) with three of a kind, Threes
Seat 2: dfunks (button) mucked [Qh 9h]
Seat 4: River8000 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: poulgreen (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: shotpepper folded before Flop (didn't bet)

8:25pm At this time, I've outlasted RaSZi (Pokerstars pro) in the event!!! :)

PokerStars Game #44103450855: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XVI (1600/3200) - 2010/05/14 20:25:04 CT [2010/05/14 21:25:04 ET]
Table '2010050321 338' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: cparsley (22970 in chips)
Seat 2: dfunks (41100 in chips)
Seat 3: RaSZi (7820 in chips)
Seat 4: River8000 (55609 in chips)
Seat 5: poulgreen (108395 in chips)
Seat 6: DannoPK (10614 in chips)
cparsley: posts small blind 800
dfunks: posts big blind 1600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [6c 9d]
RaSZi: raises 1600 to 3200
River8000: raises 1600 to 4800
poulgreen: folds
DannoPK: folds
cparsley: folds
dfunks: folds
RaSZi: calls 1600
*** FLOP *** [Qh Qs 4h]
RaSZi: checks
River8000: bets 1600
RaSZi: raises 1420 to 3020 and is all-in
River8000: calls 1420
*** TURN *** [Qh Qs 4h] [Ts]
*** RIVER *** [Qh Qs 4h Ts] [9h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
RaSZi: shows [3s 3h] (two pair, Queens and Threes)
River8000: shows [Ah Jh] (a flush, Ace high)
RaSZi is sitting out
River8000 collected 18040 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 18040 | Rake 0
Board [Qh Qs 4h Ts 9h]
Seat 1: cparsley (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: dfunks (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: RaSZi showed [3s 3h] and lost with two pair, Queens and Threes
Seat 4: River8000 showed [Ah Jh] and won (18040) with a flush, Ace high
Seat 5: poulgreen folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: DannoPK (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

8:22pm At a $1.10 tourney, it would be funny... here its just disgusting

PokerStars Game #44103336986: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XVI (1600/3200) - 2010/05/14 20:21:40 CT [2010/05/14 21:21:40 ET]
Table '2010050321 338' 6-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: cparsley (42170 in chips)
Seat 2: dfunks (37607 in chips)
Seat 3: RaSZi (32620 in chips)
Seat 4: River8000 (58009 in chips)
Seat 5: poulgreen (65195 in chips)
Seat 6: DannoPK (10907 in chips)
DannoPK: posts small blind 800
cparsley: posts big blind 1600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Ad Qh]
dfunks: folds
RaSZi: folds
River8000: folds
poulgreen: raises 1600 to 3200
DannoPK: folds
cparsley: calls 1600
*** FLOP *** [3c Qd 3s]
cparsley: checks
poulgreen: bets 1600
cparsley: raises 1600 to 3200
poulgreen: raises 1600 to 4800
cparsley: raises 1600 to 6400
Betting is capped
poulgreen: calls 1600
*** TURN *** [3c Qd 3s] [4h]
cparsley: bets 3200
poulgreen: raises 3200 to 6400
cparsley: calls 3200
*** RIVER *** [3c Qd 3s 4h] [Jh]
cparsley: checks
poulgreen: bets 3200
cparsley: calls 3200
*** SHOW DOWN ***
poulgreen: shows [As 3d] (three of a kind, Threes)
cparsley: mucks hand
poulgreen collected 39200 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 39200 | Rake 0
Board [3c Qd 3s 4h Jh]
Seat 1: cparsley (big blind) mucked [Ad Qh]
Seat 2: dfunks folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: RaSZi folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: River8000 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: poulgreen (button) showed [As 3d] and won (39200) with three of a kind, Threes
Seat 6: DannoPK (small blind) folded before Flop

8:15pm Took a nice chunk out of the PokerStars pro at the table!

PokerStars Game #44103089063: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XV (1200/2400) - 2010/05/14 20:14:18 CT [2010/05/14 21:14:18 ET]
Table '2010050321 338' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: cparsley (29570 in chips)
Seat 2: dfunks (64007 in chips)
Seat 3: RaSZi (20820 in chips)
Seat 4: River8000 (59009 in chips)
Seat 5: poulgreen (49395 in chips)
Seat 6: DannoPK (23707 in chips)
RaSZi: posts small blind 600
River8000: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Ad Ac]
cparsley said, ":("
poulgreen: folds
DannoPK: folds
cparsley: raises 1200 to 2400
dfunks: folds
RaSZi: raises 1200 to 3600
River8000: folds
cparsley: raises 1200 to 4800
Betting is capped
cparsley said, "nice"
RaSZi: calls 1200
*** FLOP *** [2s Jh Ks]
RaSZi: checks
cparsley: bets 1200
RaSZi: calls 1200
*** TURN *** [2s Jh Ks] [9h]
RaSZi: checks
cparsley: bets 2400
RaSZi: calls 2400
*** RIVER *** [2s Jh Ks 9h] [4d]
RaSZi: checks
cparsley: bets 2400
RaSZi: folds
Uncalled bet (2400) returned to cparsley
cparsley collected 18000 from pot
cparsley: shows [Ad Ac] (a pair of Aces)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 18000 | Rake 0
Board [2s Jh Ks 9h 4d]
Seat 1: cparsley collected (18000)
Seat 2: dfunks (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: RaSZi (small blind) folded on the River
Seat 4: River8000 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: poulgreen folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: DannoPK folded before Flop (didn't bet)

8:10pm And officially at 8:10pm Central time, we are in the MONEY, baby!

7:55pm Break Time once again... My stack: $42,170  Tourney Reset upcoming!

Tournament -- SCOOP Event #32L "Limit Hold'em $55 buyin , $100,000 guaranteed"

Players Remaining: 340

Players to go to the Money: 10

7:54pm I know it's funny, but I got the PokerStars pro :)

PokerStars Game #44102465934: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XV (1200/2400) - 2010/05/14 19:54:37 CT [2010/05/14 20:54:37 ET]
Table '2010050321 338' 6-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: cparsley (39170 in chips)
Seat 2: dfunks (59807 in chips)
Seat 3: RaSZi (35820 in chips)
Seat 4: River8000 (48809 in chips)
Seat 5: poulgreen (25395 in chips)
Seat 6: DannoPK (37507 in chips)
poulgreen: posts small blind 600
DannoPK: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Kd Ac]
cparsley: raises 1200 to 2400
dfunks: folds
RaSZi: raises 1200 to 3600
River8000: folds
poulgreen: folds
DannoPK: folds
cparsley: raises 1200 to 4800
Betting is capped
RaSZi: calls 1200
*** FLOP *** [Jh 4h Jd]
cparsley: bets 1200
RaSZi: calls 1200
*** TURN *** [Jh 4h Jd] [Ks]
cparsley: bets 2400
RaSZi: folds
Uncalled bet (2400) returned to cparsley
cparsley collected 13800 from pot
cparsley: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 13800 | Rake 0
Board [Jh 4h Jd Ks]
Seat 1: cparsley collected (13800)
Seat 2: dfunks folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: RaSZi folded on the Turn
Seat 4: River8000 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: poulgreen (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: DannoPK (big blind) folded before Flop

7:47pm I've been moved again, new table #33 with a PokerStars pro "RaSZi"

7:46pm My second elimination, and it happened to be Kil Slug (Elimination #2)

PokerStars Game #44102091537: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XIV (1000/2000) - 2010/05/14 19:43:58 CT [2010/05/14 20:43:58 ET]
Table '2010050321 328' 6-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (6520 in chips)
Seat 2: GreatTool (10945 in chips)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 (15198 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (36750 in chips)
Seat 5: Billyborstel (38555 in chips)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (8420 in chips)
Billyborstel: posts small blind 500
Kil Slug: posts big blind 1000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Qs Js]
Buzzyb45: folds
Kil Slug said, "99"
GreatTool has timed out
GreatTool: folds
GreatTool is sitting out
yoyo_972: folds
GreatTool has returned
cparsley: raises 1000 to 2000
Billyborstel: folds
Kil Slug: calls 1000
*** FLOP *** [9s Ks 9c]
Kil Slug: bets 1000
cparsley: raises 1000 to 2000
Kil Slug: raises 1000 to 3000
cparsley: raises 1000 to 4000
Betting is capped
Kil Slug: calls 1000
*** TURN *** [9s Ks 9c] [Jh]
GreatTool said, "lol"
Kil Slug: bets 2000
cparsley: raises 2000 to 4000
Kil Slug: calls 420 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (1580) returned to cparsley
*** RIVER *** [9s Ks 9c Jh] [Td]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Kil Slug: shows [3h 9h] (three of a kind, Nines)
cparsley: shows [Qs Js] (a straight, Nine to King)
cparsley collected 17340 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 17340 | Rake 0
Board [9s Ks 9c Jh Td]
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: GreatTool folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: cparsley (button) showed [Qs Js] and won (17340) with a straight, Nine to King
Seat 5: Billyborstel (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: Kil Slug (big blind) showed [3h 9h] and lost with three of a kind, Nines

7:43pm I gotta give Kil Slug credit, left him with 2k in chips, 15 minutes later he's still alive!

7:34pm I thought I was kidding on a Twitter post, but I believe it now... The new theme song for the SCOOP should be "I get knocked down, but I get up again" as pocket Aces come to my rescue once again..

PokerStars Game #44101649225: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XIII (800/1600) - 2010/05/14 19:31:47 CT [2010/05/14 20:31:47 ET]
Table '2010050321 328' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (10580 in chips)
Seat 2: GreatTool (13745 in chips)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 (19098 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (17350 in chips)
Seat 5: Billyborstel (38750 in chips)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (16865 in chips)
Buzzyb45: posts small blind 400
GreatTool: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [As Ah]
yoyo_972: folds
cparsley: calls 800
Billyborstel: folds
Kil Slug: calls 800
Buzzyb45: folds
GreatTool: checks
*** FLOP *** [8s 4h Ad]
GreatTool: checks
cparsley: checks
Kil Slug: bets 800
GreatTool: folds
cparsley: calls 800
*** TURN *** [8s 4h Ad] [8h]
cparsley: checks
Kil Slug: bets 1600
cparsley: raises 1600 to 3200
Kil Slug: raises 1600 to 4800
cparsley: raises 1600 to 6400
Betting is capped
Kil Slug: calls 1600
*** RIVER *** [8s 4h Ad 8h] [7d]
cparsley: bets 1600
Kil Slug: raises 1600 to 3200
cparsley: raises 1600 to 4800
Kil Slug: raises 1600 to 6400
Betting is capped
cparsley: calls 1600
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Kil Slug: shows [8c 7s] (a full house, Eights full of Sevens)
cparsley: shows [As Ah] (a full house, Aces full of Eights)
cparsley collected 30000 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 30000 | Rake 0
Board [8s 4h Ad 8h 7d]
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: GreatTool (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 3: yoyo_972 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: cparsley showed [As Ah] and won (30000) with a full house, Aces full of Eights
Seat 5: Billyborstel folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (button) showed [8c 7s] and lost with a full house, Eights full of Sevens

7:30pm BACK >>DOWN<< we go  :(

PokerStars Game #44101577440: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XIII (800/1600) - 2010/05/14 19:29:51 CT [2010/05/14 20:29:51 ET]
Table '2010050321 328' 6-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (11380 in chips)
Seat 2: GreatTool (12545 in chips)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 (19098 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (21750 in chips)
Seat 5: Billyborstel (31950 in chips)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (19665 in chips)
cparsley: posts small blind 400
Billyborstel: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Kd Qs]
Kil Slug: folds
Buzzyb45: folds
GreatTool has timed out
GreatTool: folds
GreatTool is sitting out
yoyo_972: folds
GreatTool has returned
cparsley: raises 800 to 1600
Billyborstel: calls 800
*** FLOP *** [7c 2d Tc]
cparsley: bets 800
Billyborstel: calls 800
*** TURN *** [7c 2d Tc] [Qd]
cparsley: bets 1600
Billyborstel: calls 1600
*** RIVER *** [7c 2d Tc Qd] [2c]
cparsley: bets 1600
Billyborstel: raises 1600 to 3200
cparsley: calls 1600
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Billyborstel: shows [3c Kc] (a flush, King high)
cparsley: mucks hand
Billyborstel collected 14400 from pot
cparsley said, "lol"
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 14400 | Rake 0
Board [7c 2d Tc Qd 2c]
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: GreatTool folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: cparsley (small blind) mucked [Kd Qs]
Seat 5: Billyborstel (big blind) showed [3c Kc] and won (14400) with a flush, King high
Seat 6: Kil Slug folded before Flop (didn't bet)

7:27pm Pocket Aces get to cash-in!!!

PokerStars Game #44101475010: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XIII (800/1600) - 2010/05/14 19:27:08 CT [2010/05/14 20:27:08 ET]
Table '2010050321 328' 6-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (12580 in chips)
Seat 2: GreatTool (13745 in chips)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 (26698 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (15750 in chips)
Seat 5: Billyborstel (35150 in chips)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (12465 in chips)
Kil Slug: posts small blind 400
Buzzyb45: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Ad Ac]
GreatTool: folds
yoyo_972: raises 800 to 1600
cparsley: raises 800 to 2400
Billyborstel: folds
Kil Slug: folds
Buzzyb45: folds
yoyo_972: calls 800
*** FLOP *** [7c Tc 3c]
yoyo_972: checks
cparsley: bets 800
yoyo_972: calls 800
*** TURN *** [7c Tc 3c] [9c]
yoyo_972: checks
cparsley: bets 1600
yoyo_972: calls 1600
*** RIVER *** [7c Tc 3c 9c] [4s]
yoyo_972: checks
cparsley: bets 1600
yoyo_972: calls 1600
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [Ad Ac] (a flush, Ace high)
yoyo_972: mucks hand
cparsley collected 14000 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 14000 | Rake 0
Board [7c Tc 3c 9c 4s]
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: GreatTool folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 mucked [Ah Kc]
Seat 4: cparsley showed [Ad Ac] and won (14000) with a flush, Ace high
Seat 5: Billyborstel (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (small blind) folded before Flop

7:20pm Ummmm, yay! (2 parter)

PokerStars Game #44101088391: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XII (600/1200) - 2010/05/14 19:17:09 CT [2010/05/14 20:17:09 ET]
Table '2010050321 328' 6-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (8540 in chips)
Seat 2: KAOSPOKA (4340 in chips)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 (32398 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (9450 in chips)
Seat 5: Billyborstel (30950 in chips)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (16565 in chips)
Kil Slug: posts small blind 300
Buzzyb45: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Ks Th]
KAOSPOKA: folds
yoyo_972: folds
cparsley: raises 600 to 1200
Billyborstel: calls 1200
Kil Slug: folds
Buzzyb45: calls 600
*** FLOP *** [2h 9s 2d]
Buzzyb45: checks
cparsley: checks
Billyborstel: bets 600
Buzzyb45: calls 600
cparsley: calls 600
*** TURN *** [2h 9s 2d] [Tc]
Buzzyb45: checks
cparsley: checks
Billyborstel: bets 1200
Buzzyb45: calls 1200
cparsley: calls 1200
*** RIVER *** [2h 9s 2d Tc] [7s]
Buzzyb45: checks
cparsley: checks
Billyborstel: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Buzzyb45: shows [Ah Jh] (a pair of Deuces)
cparsley: shows [Ks Th] (two pair, Tens and Deuces)
Billyborstel: mucks hand
cparsley collected 9300 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 9300 | Rake 0
Board [2h 9s 2d Tc 7s]
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (big blind) showed [Ah Jh] and lost with a pair of Deuces
Seat 2: KAOSPOKA folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: cparsley showed [Ks Th] and won (9300) with two pair, Tens and Deuces
Seat 5: Billyborstel (button) mucked [3h 3c]
Seat 6: Kil Slug (small blind) folded before Flop

PokerStars Game #44101116120: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XII (600/1200) - 2010/05/14 19:17:51 CT [2010/05/14 20:17:51 ET]
Table '2010050321 328' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (5540 in chips)
Seat 2: KAOSPOKA (4340 in chips)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 (32398 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (15750 in chips)
Seat 5: Billyborstel (27950 in chips)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (16265 in chips)
Buzzyb45: posts small blind 300
KAOSPOKA: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [7s 9s]
yoyo_972: folds
cparsley: calls 600
Billyborstel: calls 600
Kil Slug: folds
Buzzyb45: folds
KAOSPOKA: checks
*** FLOP *** [5d 3h 6d]
KAOSPOKA: checks
cparsley: checks
Billyborstel: bets 600
KAOSPOKA: calls 600
cparsley: calls 600
*** TURN *** [5d 3h 6d] [4c]
KAOSPOKA: checks
cparsley: checks
Billyborstel: bets 1200
KAOSPOKA: folds
cparsley: raises 1200 to 2400
Billyborstel: calls 1200
*** RIVER *** [5d 3h 6d 4c] [8c]
cparsley: bets 1200
Billyborstel: calls 1200
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [7s 9s] (a straight, Five to Nine)
Billyborstel: mucks hand
cparsley collected 11100 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 11100 | Rake 0
Board [5d 3h 6d 4c 8c]
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: KAOSPOKA (big blind) folded on the Turn
Seat 3: yoyo_972 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: cparsley showed [7s 9s] and won (11100) with a straight, Five to Nine
Seat 5: Billyborstel mucked [2s 2h]
Seat 6: Kil Slug (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

7:10pm And back off that mat once again (how many lives can one guy have?)

PokerStars Game #44100733118: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XI (500/1000) - 2010/05/14 19:08:11 CT [2010/05/14 20:08:11 ET]
Table '2010050321 328' 6-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (10120 in chips)
Seat 2: nutcrAAKKer (8660 in chips)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 (18008 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (3450 in chips)
Seat 5: Billyborstel (28200 in chips)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (22865 in chips)
Billyborstel: posts small blind 250
Kil Slug: posts big blind 500
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Ks Kd]
Buzzyb45: raises 500 to 1000
nutcrAAKKer: raises 500 to 1500
yoyo_972: folds
cparsley: raises 500 to 2000
Betting is capped
Billyborstel: folds
Kil Slug: calls 1500
Buzzyb45: calls 1000
nutcrAAKKer: calls 500
*** FLOP *** [8s 5s Qd]
Kil Slug: checks
Buzzyb45: bets 500
nutcrAAKKer: folds
cparsley: raises 500 to 1000
Kil Slug: calls 1000
Buzzyb45: calls 500
*** TURN *** [8s 5s Qd] [As]
Kil Slug: checks
Buzzyb45: checks
cparsley: bets 450 and is all-in
Kil Slug: folds
Buzzyb45: calls 450
*** RIVER *** [8s 5s Qd As] [2s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Buzzyb45: shows [Td Ts] (a flush, Ace high)
cparsley: shows [Ks Kd] (a flush, Ace high - King higher)
cparsley collected 12150 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 12150 | Rake 0
Board [8s 5s Qd As 2s]
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 showed [Td Ts] and lost with a flush, Ace high
Seat 2: nutcrAAKKer folded on the Flop
Seat 3: yoyo_972 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: cparsley (button) showed [Ks Kd] and won (12150) with a flush, Ace high
Seat 5: Billyborstel (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: Kil Slug (big blind) folded on the Turn

7:07pm Back on the mat, just about out...

PokerStars Game #44100669553: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XI (500/1000) - 2010/05/14 19:06:36 CT [2010/05/14 20:06:36 ET]
Table '2010050321 328' 6-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (8870 in chips)
Seat 2: nutcrAAKKer (7660 in chips)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 (13508 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (8200 in chips)
Seat 5: Billyborstel (29200 in chips)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (23865 in chips)
nutcrAAKKer: posts small blind 250
yoyo_972: posts big blind 500
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Ks Th]
cparsley: raises 500 to 1000
Billyborstel: folds
Kil Slug: calls 1000
Buzzyb45: folds
nutcrAAKKer: folds
yoyo_972: calls 500
*** FLOP *** [Ad 4c Ts]
yoyo_972: checks
cparsley: bets 500
Kil Slug: folds
yoyo_972: calls 500
*** TURN *** [Ad 4c Ts] [6d]
yoyo_972: bets 1000
cparsley: calls 1000
*** RIVER *** [Ad 4c Ts 6d] [7h]
yoyo_972: bets 1000
cparsley: calls 1000
*** SHOW DOWN ***
yoyo_972: shows [6c 6h] (three of a kind, Sixes)
cparsley: mucks hand
yoyo_972 collected 8250 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 8250 | Rake 0
Board [Ad 4c Ts 6d 7h]
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: nutcrAAKKer (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: yoyo_972 (big blind) showed [6c 6h] and won (8250) with three of a kind, Sixes
Seat 4: cparsley mucked [Ks Th]
Seat 5: Billyborstel folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Kil Slug folded on the Flop

7:03pm Easy come, easy go (first the plus, and then the minus)

PokerStars Game #44100497728: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XI (500/1000) - 2010/05/14 19:02:19 CT [2010/05/14 20:02:19 ET]
Table '2010050321 328' 6-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (10370 in chips)
Seat 2: nutcrAAKKer (8910 in chips)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 (12008 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (7450 in chips)
Seat 5: Billyborstel (23950 in chips)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (28615 in chips)
Billyborstel: posts small blind 250
Kil Slug: posts big blind 500
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [As Ah]
Buzzyb45: folds
nutcrAAKKer: folds
yoyo_972: folds
cparsley: raises 500 to 1000
Billyborstel: raises 500 to 1500
Kil Slug: folds
cparsley: raises 500 to 2000
Betting is capped
Billyborstel: calls 500
*** FLOP *** [Qc Jh Qd]
Billyborstel: checks
cparsley: bets 500
Billyborstel: calls 500
*** TURN *** [Qc Jh Qd] [3c]
Billyborstel: checks
cparsley: bets 1000
Billyborstel: calls 1000
*** RIVER *** [Qc Jh Qd 3c] [Js]
Billyborstel: checks
cparsley: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Billyborstel: shows [7s 7h] (two pair, Queens and Jacks)
cparsley: shows [As Ah] (two pair, Aces and Queens)
cparsley collected 7500 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 7500 | Rake 0
Board [Qc Jh Qd 3c Js]
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: nutcrAAKKer folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: cparsley (button) showed [As Ah] and won (7500) with two pair, Aces and Queens
Seat 5: Billyborstel (small blind) showed [7s 7h] and lost with two pair, Queens and Jacks
Seat 6: Kil Slug (big blind) folded before Flop

PokerStars Game #44100523637: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XI (500/1000) - 2010/05/14 19:02:59 CT [2010/05/14 20:02:59 ET]
Table '2010050321 328' 6-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (10370 in chips)
Seat 2: nutcrAAKKer (8910 in chips)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 (12008 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (11450 in chips)
Seat 5: Billyborstel (20450 in chips)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (28115 in chips)
Kil Slug: posts small blind 250
Buzzyb45: posts big blind 500
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Qd Kh]
nutcrAAKKer: folds
yoyo_972: folds
cparsley: calls 500
Billyborstel: calls 500
Kil Slug: calls 250
Buzzyb45: checks
*** FLOP *** [Qh 9c 6d]
Kil Slug: checks
Buzzyb45: checks
cparsley: bets 500
Billyborstel: calls 500
Kil Slug: folds
Buzzyb45: folds
*** TURN *** [Qh 9c 6d] [7d]
cparsley: bets 1000
Billyborstel: raises 1000 to 2000
cparsley: calls 1000
*** RIVER *** [Qh 9c 6d 7d] [2h]
cparsley: checks
Billyborstel: bets 1000
cparsley: calls 1000
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Billyborstel: shows [8d Td] (a straight, Six to Ten)
cparsley: mucks hand
Billyborstel collected 9000 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 9000 | Rake 0
Board [Qh 9c 6d 7d 2h]
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: nutcrAAKKer folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: cparsley mucked [Qd Kh]
Seat 5: Billyborstel (button) showed [8d Td] and won (9000) with a straight, Six to Ten
Seat 6: Kil Slug (small blind) folded on the Flop

6:56pm Break #3 back to $9,200... Tourney reset coming...

Break #3 - SCOOP Event #32L

Players Remaining: 695

Prize Money starts at : 330th place

6:54pm Coming back, but will it last???

PokerStars Game #44100231057: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XI (500/1000) - 2010/05/14 18:54:04 CT [2010/05/14 19:54:04 ET]
Table '2010050321 328' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (7495 in chips)
Seat 2: nutcrAAKKer (9660 in chips)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 (12133 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (6700 in chips)
Seat 5: Billyborstel (24450 in chips)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (30865 in chips)
Buzzyb45: posts small blind 250
nutcrAAKKer: posts big blind 500
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Kd 9s]
yoyo_972: folds
cparsley: raises 500 to 1000
Billyborstel: folds
Kil Slug: folds
Buzzyb45: calls 750
nutcrAAKKer: folds
*** FLOP *** [6s 4d 9c]
Buzzyb45: bets 500
cparsley: raises 500 to 1000
Buzzyb45: calls 500
*** TURN *** [6s 4d 9c] [9d]
Buzzyb45: checks
cparsley: bets 1000
Buzzyb45: folds
Uncalled bet (1000) returned to cparsley
cparsley collected 4500 from pot
cparsley: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 4500 | Rake 0
Board [6s 4d 9c 9d]
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (small blind) folded on the Turn
Seat 2: nutcrAAKKer (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: yoyo_972 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: cparsley collected (4500)
Seat 5: Billyborstel folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

6:52pm Down but NOT out!!!

PokerStars Game #44100159609: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level XI (500/1000) - 2010/05/14 18:52:17 CT [2010/05/14 19:52:17 ET]
Table '2010050321 328' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (7995 in chips)
Seat 2: nutcrAAKKer (12260 in chips)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 (13383 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (3350 in chips)
Seat 5: Billyborstel (25450 in chips)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (28865 in chips)
yoyo_972: posts small blind 250
cparsley: posts big blind 500
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Kd 2d]
Billyborstel: folds
Kil Slug: folds
Buzzyb45: folds
nutcrAAKKer: raises 500 to 1000
yoyo_972: folds
cparsley: calls 500
*** FLOP *** [Kh 2s 7s]
cparsley: checks
nutcrAAKKer: bets 500
cparsley: raises 500 to 1000
nutcrAAKKer: calls 500
*** TURN *** [Kh 2s 7s] [Ks]
cparsley: bets 1000
nutcrAAKKer: raises 1000 to 2000
cparsley: calls 350 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (650) returned to nutcrAAKKer
*** RIVER *** [Kh 2s 7s Ks] [9h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [Kd 2d] (a full house, Kings full of Deuces)
nutcrAAKKer: shows [7h Ad] (two pair, Kings and Sevens)
cparsley collected 6950 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 6950 | Rake 0
Board [Kh 2s 7s Ks 9h]
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: nutcrAAKKer (button) showed [7h Ad] and lost with two pair, Kings and Sevens
Seat 3: yoyo_972 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: cparsley (big blind) showed [Kd 2d] and won (6950) with a full house, Kings full of Deuces
Seat 5: Billyborstel folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Kil Slug folded before Flop (didn't bet)

6:47pm OUCH OUCH

PokerStars Game #44099919040: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level X (400/800) - 2010/05/14 18:46:21 CT [2010/05/14 19:46:21 ET]
Table '2010050321 328' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (9695 in chips)
Seat 2: nutcrAAKKer (14110 in chips)
Seat 3: yoyo_972 (13283 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (7650 in chips)
Seat 5: Billyborstel (23000 in chips)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (23565 in chips)
Buzzyb45: posts small blind 200
nutcrAAKKer: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [6c 6s]
yoyo_972: folds
cparsley: calls 400
Billyborstel: raises 400 to 800
Kil Slug: folds
Buzzyb45: folds
nutcrAAKKer: folds
cparsley: calls 400
*** FLOP *** [Td 9s 5h]
cparsley: bets 400
Billyborstel: raises 400 to 800
cparsley: calls 400
*** TURN *** [Td 9s 5h] [Qh]
cparsley: checks
Billyborstel: bets 800
cparsley: calls 800
*** RIVER *** [Td 9s 5h Qh] [7s]
cparsley: checks
Billyborstel: bets 800
cparsley: calls 800
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Billyborstel: shows [Qc Jc] (a pair of Queens)
cparsley: mucks hand
Billyborstel collected 7000 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 7000 | Rake 0
Board [Td 9s 5h Qh 7s]
Seat 1: Buzzyb45 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: nutcrAAKKer (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: yoyo_972 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: cparsley mucked [6c 6s]
Seat 5: Billyborstel showed [Qc Jc] and won (7000) with a pair of Queens
Seat 6: Kil Slug (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

6:34pm It's been rather quiet, so let's get to the mailbag, shall we!

Q: Hey, I know this is off topic, but have you heard about the "video that's ruined the internet"?

A: I'm assuming your referring to the video online called "We built Sioux City", posted for Sioux City Ragbrai 2010. For those who haven't heard about this video yet, the video takes the Jefferson Starship song and in place "this city" they dubbed in "Sioux City". However, with the dubbing was not spot on, and the audio quality wasn't always the best, and it got on Comedy Central and has now gone viral. I think it's a neat little way to enjoy oneself for those who participated in the event, and would love to do so myself. As for that, they've called for folks in front of the Tyson Event Center tomorrow at noon, possibly for a follow up video. I'm heavily leaning to going down there for that.

Closing the mailbag for now, as I've dropped half my stack and need to get back to paying attention to the game.

5:55pm Break #2 now... back to $11,900 in chips

Tournament Update #2 - SCOOP Event #32L

Runners Remaining: 1,371 of 2,246

Paying Spots : 330

5:42pm OUCH :(

PokerStars Game #44097099022: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level VII (200/400) - 2010/05/14 17:39:55 CT [2010/05/14 18:39:55 ET]
Table '2010050321 328' 6-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: Peanut Chew (6695 in chips)
Seat 2: theloulous (4700 in chips)
Seat 3: alainliam (14155 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (10700 in chips)
Seat 5: Billyborstel (7600 in chips)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (9655 in chips)
theloulous: posts small blind 100
alainliam: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Ks Kc]
cparsley: raises 200 to 400
Billyborstel: folds
Kil Slug: calls 400
Peanut Chew: folds
theloulous: folds
alainliam: calls 200
*** FLOP *** [Ac 2c Th]
alainliam: checks
cparsley: bets 200
Kil Slug: folds
alainliam: calls 200
*** TURN *** [Ac 2c Th] [2h]
alainliam: checks
cparsley: bets 400
alainliam: raises 400 to 800
cparsley: calls 400
*** RIVER *** [Ac 2c Th 2h] [9c]
alainliam: bets 400
cparsley: calls 400
*** SHOW DOWN ***
alainliam: shows [As Qc] (two pair, Aces and Deuces)
cparsley: mucks hand
alainliam collected 4100 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 4100 | Rake 0
Board [Ac 2c Th 2h 9c]
Seat 1: Peanut Chew (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: theloulous (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: alainliam (big blind) showed [As Qc] and won (4100) with two pair, Aces and Deuces
Seat 4: cparsley mucked [Ks Kc]
Seat 5: Billyborstel folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Kil Slug folded on the Flop

5:39pm Level up... first down tick to $10,700. Down, but not out :)

5:30pm My first elimination of the event (players sidelined: 1)

PokerStars Game #44096635991: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level VI (160/320) - 2010/05/14 17:29:46 CT [2010/05/14 18:29:46 ET]
Table '2010050321 328' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: Peanut Chew (8955 in chips)
Seat 2: theloulous (6140 in chips)
Seat 3: alainliam (8695 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (13400 in chips)
Seat 5: NecroJack (580 in chips)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (10855 in chips)
Peanut Chew: posts small blind 80
theloulous: posts big blind 160
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Ts 9s]
alainliam: folds
cparsley: calls 160
NecroJack: raises 160 to 320
Kil Slug: folds
Peanut Chew: folds
theloulous: folds
cparsley: calls 160
*** FLOP *** [7s Ad 5s]
cparsley: checks
NecroJack: bets 160
cparsley: calls 160
*** TURN *** [7s Ad 5s] [Kd]
cparsley: checks
NecroJack: bets 100 and is all-in
cparsley: calls 100
*** RIVER *** [7s Ad 5s Kd] [Ks]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [Ts 9s] (a flush, King high)
NecroJack: shows [6c 6h] (two pair, Kings and Sixes)
cparsley said, "gg"
cparsley collected 1400 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1400 | Rake 0
Board [7s Ad 5s Kd Ks]
Seat 1: Peanut Chew (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: theloulous (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: alainliam folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: cparsley showed [Ts 9s] and won (1400) with a flush, King high
Seat 5: NecroJack showed [6c 6h] and lost with two pair, Kings and Sixes
Seat 6: Kil Slug (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

5:27pm Kil Slug has been coming on quite nicely, moving from 5k to nearly 11k.

5:23pm Level up, now at $13k (even after having to grab the grocieries after the missus came home)

5:06pm Okay, the late registration is over, the final line is 2,246 players registered for the event, with a total prize pool of $112,300 and first place of $17,688.08

4:55pm Break #1 in play, current chip stack is $12,770 (12th place)

Tourney Recap #1 -- Event #32 L -- SCOOP 2010 Limit Hold'em

Buyin: $55 Guarantee: $100,000

Players: 2,097/2,212 Prize Pool: $110,750 (Still open for a few more minutes)

Top Stack: Inga1 (Rostock) $15,825

4:45pm Level up now at 11,000 (+6k) and the hand right at the level increase...

PokerStars Game #44094554625: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level III (80/160) - 2010/05/14 16:44:45 CT [2010/05/14 17:44:45 ET]
Table '2010050321 328' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: nandu1108 (2850 in chips)
Seat 2: theloulous (4980 in chips)
Seat 3: shaaark (7985 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (10680 in chips)
Seat 5: NecroJack (4920 in chips)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (3375 in chips)
shaaark: posts small blind 40
cparsley: posts big blind 80
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [8c 4c]
NecroJack: folds
Kil Slug: calls 80
nandu1108: folds
theloulous: folds
shaaark: calls 40
cparsley: checks
*** FLOP *** [6h 7d 2c]
shaaark: checks
cparsley: checks
Kil Slug: checks
*** TURN *** [6h 7d 2c] [5s]
shaaark: bets 160
cparsley: raises 160 to 320
Kil Slug: folds
shaaark: calls 160
*** RIVER *** [6h 7d 2c 5s] [3c]
shaaark: checks
cparsley: bets 160
shaaark: calls 160
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [8c 4c] (a straight, Four to Eight)
shaaark: mucks hand
cparsley collected 1200 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1200 | Rake 0
Board [6h 7d 2c 5s 3c]
Seat 1: nandu1108 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: theloulous (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: shaaark (small blind) mucked [As 7s]
Seat 4: cparsley (big blind) showed [8c 4c] and won (1200) with a straight, Four to Eight
Seat 5: NecroJack folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Kil Slug folded on the Turn

4:42pm These seem to come in packs, eh?

PokerStars Game #44094392439: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level III (80/160) - 2010/05/14 16:41:25 CT [2010/05/14 17:41:25 ET]
Table '2010050321 328' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: nandu1108 (3410 in chips)
Seat 2: theloulous (4700 in chips)
Seat 3: shaaark (8105 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (10400 in chips)
Seat 5: NecroJack (4440 in chips)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (3735 in chips)
shaaark: posts small blind 40
cparsley: posts big blind 80
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [6c Ac]
NecroJack: folds
Kil Slug: calls 80
nandu1108: raises 80 to 160
theloulous: folds
shaaark: folds
cparsley: calls 80
Kil Slug: calls 80
*** FLOP *** [9c Jc Tc]
cparsley: checks
Kil Slug: checks
nandu1108: bets 80
cparsley: calls 80
Kil Slug: calls 80
*** TURN *** [9c Jc Tc] [6d]
cparsley: checks
Kil Slug: checks
nandu1108: bets 160
cparsley: raises 160 to 320
Kil Slug: folds
nandu1108: calls 160
*** RIVER *** [9c Jc Tc 6d] [7h]
cparsley: bets 160
nandu1108: calls 160
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [6c Ac] (a flush, Ace high)
nandu1108: mucks hand
cparsley collected 1720 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1720 | Rake 0
Board [9c Jc Tc 6d 7h]
Seat 1: nandu1108 mucked [Qs Js]
Seat 2: theloulous (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: shaaark (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: cparsley (big blind) showed [6c Ac] and won (1720) with a flush, Ace high
Seat 5: NecroJack folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Kil Slug folded on the Turn

4:40pm My new table is ultra-agressive, but here's a nice pot

PokerStars Game #44094310303: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level III (80/160) - 2010/05/14 16:39:44 CT [2010/05/14 17:39:44 ET]
Table '2010050321 328' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: nandu1108 (4450 in chips)
Seat 2: theloulous (5340 in chips)
Seat 3: shaaark (6825 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (9040 in chips)
Seat 5: NecroJack (5000 in chips)
Seat 6: Kil Slug (4135 in chips)
nandu1108: posts small blind 40
theloulous: posts big blind 80
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Qc 9h]
shaaark: folds
cparsley: raises 80 to 160
NecroJack: calls 160
Kil Slug: calls 160
nandu1108: calls 120
theloulous: calls 80
*** FLOP *** [Js 6d Th]
nandu1108: bets 80
theloulous: folds
cparsley: calls 80
NecroJack: calls 80
Kil Slug: calls 80
*** TURN *** [Js 6d Th] [5s]
nandu1108: bets 160
cparsley: calls 160
NecroJack: calls 160
Kil Slug: folds
*** RIVER *** [Js 6d Th 5s] [8s]
nandu1108: bets 160
cparsley: raises 160 to 320
NecroJack: folds
nandu1108: calls 160
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [Qc 9h] (a straight, Eight to Queen)
nandu1108: mucks hand
cparsley collected 2240 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2240 | Rake 0
Board [Js 6d Th 5s 8s]
Seat 1: nandu1108 (small blind) mucked [8c Jc]
Seat 2: theloulous (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 3: shaaark folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: cparsley showed [Qc 9h] and won (2240) with a straight, Eight to Queen
Seat 5: NecroJack folded on the River
Seat 6: Kil Slug (button) folded on the Turn

4:34pm I've been moved, new table is 328.

4:30pm Level 2 over, +4000 now in chips, and in 7th place overall (VERY VERY NICE LEVEL!)

4:24pm Heater is over, on the best of the six hands lol

PokerStars Game #44093504804: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level II (60/120) - 2010/05/14 16:23:26 CT [2010/05/14 17:23:26 ET]
Table '2010050321 218' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: lovesimi (3560 in chips)
Seat 2: davpat (4565 in chips)
Seat 3: cparsley (9680 in chips)
Seat 4: AFCAJAX (5540 in chips)
Seat 5: Oberon00 (3240 in chips)
Seat 6: RUTHLEZZG (3415 in chips)
lovesimi: posts small blind 30
davpat: posts big blind 60
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Qs Ac]
cparsley: raises 60 to 120
AFCAJAX: folds
RUTHLEZZG said, "damn i had 27 off\"
Oberon00: calls 120
RUTHLEZZG said, "haha"
RUTHLEZZG: calls 120
lovesimi: calls 90
davpat: calls 60
*** FLOP *** [Jd 8d 5c]
lovesimi: checks
davpat: bets 60
cparsley: calls 60
Oberon00: folds
RUTHLEZZG: calls 60
lovesimi: folds
*** TURN *** [Jd 8d 5c] [8h]
davpat: bets 120
cparsley: calls 120
RUTHLEZZG: calls 120
*** RIVER *** [Jd 8d 5c 8h] [7d]
davpat: bets 120
cparsley: folds
RUTHLEZZG: raises 120 to 240
davpat: raises 120 to 360
RUTHLEZZG: calls 120
*** SHOW DOWN ***
davpat: shows [8c Jc] (a full house, Eights full of Jacks)
RUTHLEZZG: mucks hand
davpat collected 1860 from pot
cparsley said, "nh"
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1860 | Rake 0
Board [Jd 8d 5c 8h 7d]
Seat 1: lovesimi (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: davpat (big blind) showed [8c Jc] and won (1860) with a full house, Eights full of Jacks
Seat 3: cparsley folded on the River
Seat 4: AFCAJAX folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Oberon00 folded on the Flop
Seat 6: RUTHLEZZG (button) mucked [9s Ts]

4:23pm NUMBER FIVE

PokerStars Game #44093459654: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level II (60/120) - 2010/05/14 16:22:31 CT [2010/05/14 17:22:31 ET]
Table '2010050321 218' 6-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: lovesimi (3980 in chips)
Seat 2: davpat (4625 in chips)
Seat 3: cparsley (9170 in chips)
Seat 4: AFCAJAX (5540 in chips)
Seat 5: Oberon00 (3240 in chips)
Seat 6: RUTHLEZZG (3445 in chips)
RUTHLEZZG: posts small blind 30
lovesimi: posts big blind 60
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Jc 3h]
davpat: calls 60
cparsley: calls 60
AFCAJAX: folds
Oberon00: folds
RUTHLEZZG: folds
lovesimi: checks
*** FLOP *** [3c 2h 7h]
lovesimi: checks
davpat: checks
cparsley: bets 60
lovesimi: raises 60 to 120
davpat: folds
cparsley said, "Gotta play the heater when u got it :)"
cparsley: calls 60
*** TURN *** [3c 2h 7h] [Ks]
lovesimi: bets 120
cparsley: calls 120
*** RIVER *** [3c 2h 7h Ks] [4d]
lovesimi: bets 120
cparsley: calls 120
*** SHOW DOWN ***
lovesimi: shows [Ah 6h] (high card Ace)
cparsley: shows [Jc 3h] (a pair of Threes)
cparsley collected 930 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 930 | Rake 0
Board [3c 2h 7h Ks 4d]
Seat 1: lovesimi (big blind) showed [Ah 6h] and lost with high card Ace
Seat 2: davpat folded on the Flop
Seat 3: cparsley showed [Jc 3h] and won (930) with a pair of Threes
Seat 4: AFCAJAX folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Oberon00 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: RUTHLEZZG (small blind) folded before Flop

4:22pm And now #4...

PokerStars Game #44093423794: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level II (60/120) - 2010/05/14 16:21:48 CT [2010/05/14 17:21:48 ET]
Table '2010050321 218' 6-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: lovesimi (4160 in chips)
Seat 2: davpat (4625 in chips)
Seat 3: cparsley (8840 in chips)
Seat 4: AFCAJAX (5540 in chips)
Seat 5: Oberon00 (3270 in chips)
Seat 6: RUTHLEZZG (3565 in chips)
Oberon00: posts small blind 30
RUTHLEZZG: posts big blind 60
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [6s Ks]
lovesimi: raises 60 to 120
davpat: folds
cparsley: calls 120
RUTHLEZZG said, "ha i threw away the nuts"
AFCAJAX: folds
Oberon00: folds
RUTHLEZZG said, "k2"
RUTHLEZZG: calls 60
*** FLOP *** [Kc Qh 3s]
RUTHLEZZG: checks
lovesimi: checks
cparsley: bets 60
RUTHLEZZG: folds
lovesimi: calls 60
*** TURN *** [Kc Qh 3s] [8h]
lovesimi: checks
cparsley: bets 120
lovesimi: folds
Uncalled bet (120) returned to cparsley
cparsley collected 510 from pot
cparsley: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 510 | Rake 0
Board [Kc Qh 3s 8h]
Seat 1: lovesimi folded on the Turn
Seat 2: davpat folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: cparsley collected (510)
Seat 4: AFCAJAX (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Oberon00 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: RUTHLEZZG (big blind) folded on the Flop

4:21pm Three in a row (woo-hoo)

PokerStars Game #44093342689: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level II (60/120) - 2010/05/14 16:20:09 CT [2010/05/14 17:20:09 ET]
Table '2010050321 218' 6-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: lovesimi (4580 in chips)
Seat 2: davpat (4625 in chips)
Seat 3: cparsley (7820 in chips)
Seat 4: AFCAJAX (5840 in chips)
Seat 5: Oberon00 (3570 in chips)
Seat 6: RUTHLEZZG (3565 in chips)
AFCAJAX: posts small blind 30
Oberon00: posts big blind 60
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [5s Ts]
RUTHLEZZG: folds
lovesimi: raises 60 to 120
davpat: folds
cparsley: calls 120
AFCAJAX: calls 90
Oberon00: calls 60
*** FLOP *** [5d 7s Qs]
AFCAJAX: checks
Oberon00: checks
lovesimi: checks
cparsley: bets 60
AFCAJAX: calls 60
Oberon00: calls 60
lovesimi: calls 60
*** TURN *** [5d 7s Qs] [3d]
AFCAJAX: checks
Oberon00: checks
lovesimi: checks
cparsley: bets 120
AFCAJAX: calls 120
Oberon00: calls 120
lovesimi: calls 120
*** RIVER *** [5d 7s Qs 3d] [As]
AFCAJAX: checks
Oberon00: checks
lovesimi: checks
cparsley: bets 120
AFCAJAX: folds
Oberon00: folds
lovesimi: calls 120
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [5s Ts] (a flush, Ace high)
lovesimi: mucks hand
cparsley collected 1440 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1440 | Rake 0
Board [5d 7s Qs 3d As]
Seat 1: lovesimi mucked [Ad Jd]
Seat 2: davpat folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: cparsley (button) showed [5s Ts] and won (1440) with a flush, Ace high
Seat 4: AFCAJAX (small blind) folded on the River
Seat 5: Oberon00 (big blind) folded on the River
Seat 6: RUTHLEZZG folded before Flop (didn't bet)

4:20pm Very next hand :) :)

PokerStars Game #44093291150: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level II (60/120) - 2010/05/14 16:19:06 CT [2010/05/14 17:19:06 ET]
Table '2010050321 218' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: lovesimi (4580 in chips)
Seat 2: davpat (4625 in chips)
Seat 3: cparsley (7100 in chips)
Seat 4: AFCAJAX (6020 in chips)
Seat 5: Oberon00 (4110 in chips)
Seat 6: RUTHLEZZG (3565 in chips)
cparsley: posts small blind 30
AFCAJAX: posts big blind 60
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [2h 8h]
Oberon00: calls 60
RUTHLEZZG: folds
lovesimi: folds
davpat: folds
cparsley: calls 30
AFCAJAX: checks
*** FLOP *** [2c 2d Jc]
cparsley: bets 60
AFCAJAX: calls 60
Oberon00: raises 60 to 120
cparsley: calls 60
AFCAJAX: calls 60
*** TURN *** [2c 2d Jc] [4h]
cparsley: checks
AFCAJAX: checks
Oberon00: bets 120
cparsley: calls 120
AFCAJAX: folds
*** RIVER *** [2c 2d Jc 4h] [Qd]
cparsley: checks
Oberon00: bets 120
cparsley: raises 120 to 240
Oberon00: calls 120
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [2h 8h] (three of a kind, Deuces)
Oberon00: mucks hand
cparsley collected 1260 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1260 | Rake 0
Board [2c 2d Jc 4h Qd]
Seat 1: lovesimi folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: davpat (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: cparsley (small blind) showed [2h 8h] and won (1260) with three of a kind, Deuces
Seat 4: AFCAJAX (big blind) folded on the Turn
Seat 5: Oberon00 mucked [Jh 6h]
Seat 6: RUTHLEZZG folded before Flop (didn't bet)

4:18pm Nice pickup here

PokerStars Game #44093237547: Tournament #2010050321, $50+$5 USD Hold'em Limit - Level II (60/120) - 2010/05/14 16:18:01 CT [2010/05/14 17:18:01 ET]
Table '2010050321 218' 6-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: lovesimi (4700 in chips)
Seat 2: davpat (5045 in chips)
Seat 3: cparsley (6560 in chips)
Seat 4: AFCAJAX (6020 in chips)
Seat 5: Oberon00 (4110 in chips)
Seat 6: RUTHLEZZG (3565 in chips)
davpat: posts small blind 30
cparsley: posts big blind 60
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Tc 5c]
AFCAJAX: folds
Oberon00: folds
RUTHLEZZG: folds
lovesimi: raises 60 to 120
davpat: calls 90
cparsley: calls 60
*** FLOP *** [Ah 7c Kc]
davpat: bets 60
cparsley: calls 60
lovesimi: folds
*** TURN *** [Ah 7c Kc] [4c]
davpat: checks
cparsley: checks
*** RIVER *** [Ah 7c Kc 4c] [9h]
davpat: bets 120
cparsley: raises 120 to 240
davpat: calls 120
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [Tc 5c] (a flush, King high)
davpat: mucks hand
cparsley collected 960 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 960 | Rake 0
Board [Ah 7c Kc 4c 9h]
Seat 1: lovesimi (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: davpat (small blind) mucked [4d Ad]
Seat 3: cparsley (big blind) showed [Tc 5c] and won (960) with a flush, King high
Seat 4: AFCAJAX folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Oberon00 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: RUTHLEZZG folded before Flop (didn't bet)

4:15pm Level one complete, and I'm up 1,100 in chips (6,100). We'll get the mailbag open soon, to get your questions in, send them to support@myusapoker.com now!

It's a manic Friday, and I can't believe I just jumped into a $55 buyin SCOOP Limit Hold'em event. We start with $5k in chips, and the first hand I come in was a walk :)

Manic Monday (and Tuesday)... May 10th/11th

My first double day post (doing it at about 11:55p Monday nite, so it's definitely running into Tuesday before I'm done), so let's get to everything, shall we.

First of all, off topic I know, but Betty White on SNL was just classic. Combine with all the great ladies of SNL in the past 10 or so years made it one episode to make sure you caught. If you were one of the few who missed it, go catch it on NBC.com or HULU.com now. I'll wait, I promise, hit pause here, go watch and come back.

Next, I promised in a previous SCOOP live blog that I would talk about my personal poker life in the last week or so, and now is as good of a moment to do so than any other. Anyone who plays poker in any seriousness to it would be lying to you if they say they would never want to get to the World Series of Poker's main event's final table. (I know a lot of 's there, and I probably messed up at least once) PokerStars (maybe their banner should go up instead of Virtue's, considering how few of you have visited them!) has been running WSOP satellites and mega-satellites to the main event, and I figured I would take a shot at it, and had saved up $500 for that purpose. However, after setting up to make the deposit, I wondered why I would do without getting something in return, considering the deposit amount. Waiting about a week is all it took, as the start of the SCOOP produced a 20% deposit bonus to get money in for the SCOOP series. So with that in line, I took the plunge, made the $500 deposit, and got my $100 to try to earn in the next 20 days thru play.

The first night, things, while decently packed, produced a non-result, being down a whole 75 cents for the entire nite of play. This included three sit 'n gos (Double or Nothing style), a $4.40 buyin MTT with $5,000 guaranteed, and a $100 buy-in to a $1/$2 limit hold'em game. The majority of the upswing was from the SNGs (2 of 3 cashed), and the downswing came from the ring game. I attributed that due to the buy-in level of folks not wanting to release hands and willing to call and catch with just about any two starting cards in the game.

So, night #2 came into view, and I went from bad to worse, as my thinking was just, hey, up the limits and you won't have those "bingo" poker players around. So into the world of $3/$6 hold'em I went, 6-max table, and 133 hands later I came out bruised out of nearly $175 of my bankroll, leaving me just about $325 remaining of the $500 starting bankroll. I won't bore you here, as I plan to discuss it later, just suffice it for now to say, this was a horrible horrible bad beat I put on myself.

Night #3 turned out to be a non-event, literally, as my ISP put a bad beat on me by not being able to provide internet service to the house, which made it the first night in a while I was in bed by 10pm. On top of that, a night away from the flop, turn and river did wonders for my psyche and allowed me to clear my mind and have a realization of sorts. While I was right that moving the stakes was a good idea to avoid the bingo players out there, jumping into a short-handed game (6-max) actually encouraged even more "bingo-esque" play from the fishies. Just now, with the stakes tripled, the whip-lash would hurt the bankroll just that much quicker. So while at work the next morning, I came up with a new plan of attack.

Night #4 (Friday nite) (also the night of the live blog below) came with the new plan. The SCOOP event, I will admit, wasn't on the plan, but the $15+$1.50 with one $15 rebuy only looked way too appealing to pass up, and did net a small profit. Coming upon a site that I thought was slick as lightning, I scouted out full tables of $3/$6 (10 max) tables, looking for the right game to sit into. I probably spent a good hour or so before sitting into the game, looking up players and assigning them a color code and adding a note on what I found of them. However, I am glad I did, as that session ran 319 hands and by the time I got up from that table, I had not only erased the loss from the 6 max table on Wednesday, but also unlocked $20 of the $100 bonus, and an extra $10 from the Milestone meter that Stars runs, at the beginning releasing $10 for every 750 vpp's earned.

Now, I know folks are going to ask "What color code do you mean you assigned folks?" Let me explain a little. In the PokerStars software, the game allows you to take notes on your fellow opponents that follow them from table to table, meaning if you see them again in a game, your note will still be there to remind you what you learned about them in the past. So for each player, I placed a note based on what I was able to determine on the player, dated it so the information doesn't get old (no reason to make decisions based on potentially inaccurate information), and color coded the players using the 8 colors of notes PokerStars allows. I used Green, Green/Blue, Orange and Red depending on the type of player, going with a $1k+ winner getting a green note, while a $1k+ loser getting a red note. Players $500-$1k down got an orange note, while everyone else (basically break even) got the blue-green note. Later on I used Purple when I was unable to get any data of the player to denote that at first glance. While I was originally doing it to know whom I was in against (and made $190.50) that first game while doing so, the benefits multiplied during the weekend as the lobby started to come to life with a bunch of color when I clicked on a table, full of notes I had in previously. (Maybe this is how it's meant to be!)

In addition, that day off on Thursday turned out to be the biggest blessing, as most of the time when your going down, it doesn't register that your sinking until you have plummeted to the bottom and are out of the race once again. Having that day off, being able to step back and take a look at the damage that had occured thus far, and how to correct it going forward was a very fortunate moment, one that shouldn't had needed a fluke to set forth. I guess that is why we are on the road, to take our bumps and learn from them, never complete with the journey.

To make a long story a little shorter, the sessions on Saturday-Monday were +$84.50, +$14.00, +$214.00, -$9.50, -$4.00, +$113.00, +$14.50, and +$26.00 in full table $3/$6, with one foray back into the 6 max after being grounded in my new found faith and belief, and erased the Wednesday loss with a +$149.00 in that session. That has been the only session I've done in 6-max since Wednesday. In addition, I've unlocked $70 of the $100 thus far, and a 2nd $10 Stellar Reward unlocked, as well as a "Silver Star" upgrade occuring during those sessions.

I currently stand at $1,181.50 and look forward to my next journey down that road. On a final remark, my friend who is playing for his charity "lostsoul311" is playing this weekend, and barring any unforseen circumstances, we'll be here live-blogging it for him, as well, as who knows, I may jump into the event as well. Until next time, gang, keep your feet on the Road!

It's Friday, and let's try to SCOOP again (LIVE BLOG RUNNING) ... May 7th

9:25pm Out in 1482nd... still made a payday of $38.62, not too shabby.

9:15pm Watching the final countdown of bubble boys till we are in the money for SCOOP 15L... 7.. 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... We're in the money!!!

8:57pm Just finished the ABC "What would you do?" show. Very interesting what folks will do, especially with a blonde lady trying to steal a bike and guys just helped her out to steal the bike!

8:55pm Break #2 now, $26,377 (+$16,377) and close to being in the money. 11,206 started, and we have 2,778 remaining (2,025 paid)

8:40pm A nice double take... :) :)

PokerStars Game #43765929066: Tournament #2010050151, $15.00+$1.50 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level XVIII (500/1000) - 2010/05/07 20:36:45 CT [2010/05/07 21:36:45 ET]
Table '2010050151 187' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: reggg (20445 in chips)
Seat 2: P&I Forever (22390 in chips)
Seat 3: cparsley (6989 in chips)
Seat 4: Sonderskönig (9835 in chips)
Seat 5: slipp3ry (34860 in chips)
Seat 6: DaniCadenza (15556 in chips)
Seat 7: donkeyfish87 (8170 in chips)
Seat 8: fabio_bruxo (14620 in chips)
Seat 9: Vloemichiel (15617 in chips)
reggg: posts the ante 125
P&I Forever: posts the ante 125
cparsley: posts the ante 125
Sonderskönig: posts the ante 125
slipp3ry: posts the ante 125
DaniCadenza: posts the ante 125
donkeyfish87: posts the ante 125
fabio_bruxo: posts the ante 125
Vloemichiel: posts the ante 125
slipp3ry: posts small blind 500
DaniCadenza: posts big blind 1000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Kc 9h]
Vloemichiel said, "wow just 1/3 of the playerfield left"
donkeyfish87: folds
fabio_bruxo: folds
Vloemichiel: folds
reggg: folds
P&I Forever: folds
cparsley: raises 5864 to 6864 and is all-in
Sonderskönig: raises 2846 to 9710 and is all-in
slipp3ry: folds
DaniCadenza: folds
Uncalled bet (2846) returned to Sonderskönig
*** FLOP *** [Jd Qs Qh]
*** TURN *** [Jd Qs Qh] [7c]
*** RIVER *** [Jd Qs Qh 7c] [5c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [Kc 9h] (a pair of Queens)
Sonderskönig: shows [Kh 8h] (a pair of Queens - lower kicker)
cparsley collected 16353 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 16353 | Rake 0
Board [Jd Qs Qh 7c 5c]
Seat 1: reggg folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: P&I Forever folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: cparsley showed [Kc 9h] and won (16353) with a pair of Queens
Seat 4: Sonderskönig (button) showed [Kh 8h] and lost with a pair of Queens
Seat 5: slipp3ry (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: DaniCadenza (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: donkeyfish87 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: fabio_bruxo folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: Vloemichiel folded before Flop (didn't bet)

PokerStars Game #43766223181: Tournament #2010050151, $15.00+$1.50 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level XIX (600/1200) - 2010/05/07 20:45:38 CT [2010/05/07 21:45:38 ET]
Table '2010050151 187' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: reggg (17795 in chips)
Seat 2: P&I Forever (20340 in chips)
Seat 3: cparsley (25153 in chips)
Seat 4: Sonderskönig (6492 in chips)
Seat 5: slipp3ry (33510 in chips)
Seat 6: DaniCadenza (13206 in chips)
Seat 7: donkeyfish87 (5120 in chips)
Seat 8: fabio_bruxo (11970 in chips)
Seat 9: Vloemichiel (14896 in chips)
reggg: posts the ante 150
P&I Forever: posts the ante 150
cparsley: posts the ante 150
Sonderskönig: posts the ante 150
slipp3ry: posts the ante 150
DaniCadenza: posts the ante 150
donkeyfish87: posts the ante 150
fabio_bruxo: posts the ante 150
Vloemichiel: posts the ante 150
P&I Forever: posts small blind 600
cparsley: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Qd As]
Sonderskönig: raises 3375 to 4575
slipp3ry: folds
DaniCadenza: folds
donkeyfish87: folds
fabio_bruxo: folds
Vloemichiel: folds
reggg: folds
P&I Forever: folds
cparsley: calls 3375
*** FLOP *** [7d 2h Ts]
cparsley: checks
Sonderskönig: bets 1700
cparsley: raises 1700 to 3400
Sonderskönig: calls 67 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (1633) returned to cparsley
*** TURN *** [7d 2h Ts] [6d]
*** RIVER *** [7d 2h Ts 6d] [Jh]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [Qd As] (high card Ace)
Sonderskönig: shows [8h Ah] (high card Ace - lower kicker)
Sonderskönig said, "sik"
cparsley collected 14634 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 14634 | Rake 0
Board [7d 2h Ts 6d Jh]
Seat 1: reggg (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: P&I Forever (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: cparsley (big blind) showed [Qd As] and won (14634) with high card Ace
Seat 4: Sonderskönig showed [8h Ah] and lost with high card Ace
Seat 5: slipp3ry folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: DaniCadenza folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: donkeyfish87 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: fabio_bruxo folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: Vloemichiel folded before Flop (didn't bet)

8:13pm A line from the SCOOP hobojim11247: turbo tourneys are like roller coasters. This coming from a guy who called my AK with A-10 to runner runner a flush.

PokerStars Game #43765039994: Tournament #2010050151, $15.00+$1.50 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level XIII (200/400) - 2010/05/07 20:10:46 CT [2010/05/07 21:10:46 ET]
Table '2010050151 26' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: DE KID (4229 in chips)
Seat 2: larnaque008 (9510 in chips)
Seat 3: cparsley (18224 in chips)
Seat 4: dpo18 (4500 in chips)
Seat 5: hobojim11247 (7858 in chips)
Seat 6: affi (11018 in chips)
Seat 7: Keldoener (1049 in chips)
Seat 8: manderbutt (9552 in chips)
Seat 9: MasterBUR (14120 in chips)
DE KID: posts the ante 50
larnaque008: posts the ante 50
cparsley: posts the ante 50
dpo18: posts the ante 50
hobojim11247: posts the ante 50
affi: posts the ante 50
Keldoener: posts the ante 50
manderbutt: posts the ante 50
MasterBUR: posts the ante 50
cparsley: posts small blind 200
dpo18: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Kd Ac]
hobojim11247: raises 800 to 1200
affi: folds
Keldoener: calls 999 and is all-in
manderbutt: folds
MasterBUR: folds
DE KID: folds
larnaque008: folds
cparsley: raises 800 to 2000
dpo18: folds
hobojim11247: calls 800
*** FLOP *** [9s 7h 3s]
cparsley: bets 5807
hobojim11247: raises 1 to 5808 and is all-in
cparsley: calls 1
*** TURN *** [9s 7h 3s] [2h]
*** RIVER *** [9s 7h 3s 2h] [3h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [Kd Ac] (a pair of Threes)
hobojim11247: shows [Th Ah] (a flush, Ace high)
hobojim11247 collected 13618 from side pot
Keldoener: shows [Js Jc] (two pair, Jacks and Threes)
hobojim11247 collected 3847 from main pot
cparsley said, "lol"
Keldoener re-buys and receives 5000 chips for $15.00
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 17465 Main pot 3847. Side pot 13618. | Rake 0
Board [9s 7h 3s 2h 3h]
Seat 1: DE KID folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: larnaque008 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: cparsley (small blind) showed [Kd Ac] and lost with a pair of Threes
Seat 4: dpo18 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: hobojim11247 showed [Th Ah] and won (17465) with a flush, Ace high
Seat 6: affi folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: Keldoener showed [Js Jc] and lost with two pair, Jacks and Threes
Seat 8: manderbutt folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: MasterBUR folded before Flop (didn't bet)

8:07pm It's getting wierd here, as the sanity that most SCOOP events have had, and even this event has had during the first hour, is gone out the window now, as players seem to have no qualms in the world going all-in with a lot less than optimal hands. It looks like we just descended into a play money game, except this play money game is for a minimum of a quarter million dollars in cash.

8:03pm First hand back from the break, and mmmnnnn chips!

PokerStars Game #43764775357: Tournament #2010050151, $15.00+$1.50 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level XII (150/300) - 2010/05/07 20:03:20 CT [2010/05/07 21:03:20 ET]
Table '2010050151 26' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: DE KID (5219 in chips)
Seat 2: larnaque008 (6805 in chips)
Seat 3: cparsley (11879 in chips)
Seat 4: dpo18 (7615 in chips)
Seat 5: hobojim11247 (12777 in chips)
Seat 6: affi (5349 in chips)
Seat 7: Keldoener (6969 in chips)
Seat 8: manderbutt (5932 in chips)
Seat 9: MasterBUR (7515 in chips)
DE KID: posts the ante 40
larnaque008: posts the ante 40
cparsley: posts the ante 40
dpo18: posts the ante 40
hobojim11247: posts the ante 40
affi: posts the ante 40
Keldoener: posts the ante 40
manderbutt: posts the ante 40
MasterBUR: posts the ante 40
cparsley: posts small blind 150
dpo18: posts big blind 300
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Kd 6s]
hobojim11247: folds
affi: folds
Keldoener: folds
manderbutt: folds
MasterBUR: folds
DE KID: folds
larnaque008: folds
cparsley: calls 150
dpo18: checks
*** FLOP *** [6h 5c Kh]
cparsley: bets 900
dpo18: raises 900 to 1800
cparsley: raises 9739 to 11539 and is all-in
dpo18: calls 5475 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (4264) returned to cparsley
*** TURN *** [6h 5c Kh] [Ad]
*** RIVER *** [6h 5c Kh Ad] [9c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [Kd 6s] (two pair, Kings and Sixes)
dpo18: shows [Ks 4c] (a pair of Kings)
cparsley collected 15510 from pot
dpo18 re-buys and receives 5000 chips for $15.00
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 15510 | Rake 0
Board [6h 5c Kh Ad 9c]
Seat 1: DE KID folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: larnaque008 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: cparsley (small blind) showed [Kd 6s] and won (15510) with two pair, Kings and Sixes
Seat 4: dpo18 (big blind) showed [Ks 4c] and lost with a pair of Kings
Seat 5: hobojim11247 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: affi folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: Keldoener folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: manderbutt folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: MasterBUR folded before Flop (didn't bet)

7:55pm Break #1 at the SCOOP, I'm at $11,879 (+$1,879 in chips). :)

7:50pm From the mailbag (at support@myusapoker.com)

Q: What is "Cover Up"?

A: I'm sorry, the pricing game "Cover Up" is normally played on the American Price is Right show for a new car, offering 2 digits for the 1st #, 3 for the 2nd, and so forth. Constants to win, must pick the five digits of the car from the selections given. As long as a contestant gets one or more of their picks right each round, they can pick a new batch of numbers for their non correct selections. What was interesting was that the contestant on this playing got the first digit only on round 1 of picks, the second number only on pick #2, 3rd # on pick 3, etc until all 5 were picked and she won the car.

7:44pm Watching the mother's day episode of the Price is Right, very interesting play of "Cover up"...

7:37pm While I got some time, I'll let you all know I deposited $500 into Poker stars to go after the SCOOP and WSOP satellites. I'll put up a full post later on the the current status of that deposit that I did on Tuesday. Any live-blog questions, get them into support@myusapoker.com and we'll answer them.

7:31pm Same guy, same result... nice stack too :)

PokerStars Game #43763720459: Tournament #2010050151, $15.00+$1.50 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (50/100) - 2010/05/07 19:32:31 CT [2010/05/07 20:32:31 ET]
Table '2010050151 26' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: DE KID (4101 in chips)
Seat 2: ersherman (4605 in chips)
Seat 3: cparsley (8701 in chips)
Seat 4: dpo18 (6739 in chips)
Seat 5: hobojim11247 (11750 in chips)
Seat 6: Bebon1982 (3725 in chips)
Seat 7: Keldoener (4855 in chips)
Seat 8: manderbutt (4710 in chips)
Seat 9: MasterBUR (5874 in chips)
DE KID: posts the ante 10
ersherman: posts the ante 10
cparsley: posts the ante 10
dpo18: posts the ante 10
hobojim11247: posts the ante 10
Bebon1982: posts the ante 10
Keldoener: posts the ante 10
manderbutt: posts the ante 10
MasterBUR: posts the ante 10
Bebon1982: posts small blind 50
Keldoener: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [As Ks]
manderbutt: folds
Bebon1982 said, "lola10"
MasterBUR: folds
DE KID: folds
ersherman: calls 100
cparsley: raises 500 to 600
dpo18: folds
hobojim11247: folds
Bebon1982: folds
Keldoener: folds
ersherman: calls 500
*** FLOP *** [6s 2s 9s]
ersherman: bets 3995 and is all-in
cparsley: calls 3995
*** TURN *** [6s 2s 9s] [8c]
*** RIVER *** [6s 2s 9s 8c] [Qd]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
ersherman: shows [9h Kh] (a pair of Nines)
cparsley: shows [As Ks] (a flush, Ace high)
Bebon1982 said, "call a10?"
cparsley collected 9430 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 9430 | Rake 0
Board [6s 2s 9s 8c Qd]
Seat 1: DE KID folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: ersherman showed [9h Kh] and lost with a pair of Nines
Seat 3: cparsley showed [As Ks] and won (9430) with a flush, Ace high
Seat 4: dpo18 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: hobojim11247 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Bebon1982 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: Keldoener (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 8: manderbutt folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: MasterBUR folded before Flop (didn't bet)

7:13pm First major move, and it feels good...

PokerStars Game #43762965022: Tournament #2010050151, $15.00+$1.50 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level III (20/40) - 2010/05/07 19:13:17 CT [2010/05/07 20:13:17 ET]
Table '2010050151 26' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: DE KID (4655 in chips)
Seat 2: ersherman (4745 in chips)
Seat 3: cparsley (4900 in chips)
Seat 4: dpo18 (5655 in chips)
Seat 5: hobojim11247 (5490 in chips)
Seat 6: Bebon1982 (8795 in chips)
Seat 7: Keldoener (4955 in chips)
Seat 8: manderbutt (4735 in chips)
Seat 9: MasterBUR (6130 in chips)
dpo18: posts small blind 20
hobojim11247: posts big blind 40
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Kc Ks]
Bebon1982: folds
Keldoener: folds
manderbutt: folds
MasterBUR: folds
DE KID: raises 80 to 120
ersherman: calls 120
cparsley: raises 380 to 500
dpo18: folds
hobojim11247: folds
DE KID: folds
ersherman: calls 380
*** FLOP *** [4s Ts Jh]
ersherman: checks
cparsley: bets 900
ersherman: calls 900
*** TURN *** [4s Ts Jh] [Qh]
ersherman: bets 3345 and is all-in
cparsley: calls 3345
*** RIVER *** [4s Ts Jh Qh] [7c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
ersherman: shows [Td 9d] (a pair of Tens)
cparsley: shows [Kc Ks] (a pair of Kings)
cparsley collected 9670 from pot
ersherman re-buys and receives 5000 chips for $15.00
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 9670 | Rake 0
Board [4s Ts Jh Qh 7c]
Seat 1: DE KID folded before Flop
Seat 2: ersherman showed [Td 9d] and lost with a pair of Tens
Seat 3: cparsley (button) showed [Kc Ks] and won (9670) with a pair of Kings
Seat 4: dpo18 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: hobojim11247 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: Bebon1982 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: Keldoener folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: manderbutt folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: MasterBUR folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Yah, we're back, and tonight we're going to try things a little different. I am in the SCOOP Event #15, and while we'll blog the event, I'm going to do this as more of a stream of conscienceness. Join us for what should be quite an enjoyable afternoon.

The SCOOP Opening Day... May 2nd (AND YES, WE'RE LIVE!)

4:28p I'm sorry gang, I'm outta here, I can not sit around after this trouncing today... When I calm down I'll be back on, but until then, sorry.... Just take a look at the last 2 of 3 hands and u'll get the reason why...

PokerStars Game #43511737682: Tournament #2010050021, $20+$2 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level II (30/60) - 2010/05/02 16:25:40 CT [2010/05/02 17:25:40 ET]
Table '2010050021 14' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: gulveig (19860 in chips) 
Seat 2: smlc38fc3 (10420 in chips) 
Seat 3: shiashias (7940 in chips) 
Seat 4: cparsley (3870 in chips) 
Seat 5: oxlamon (9450 in chips) 
Seat 7: YouGotSquat (19305 in chips) 
Seat 8: Gunnerzaka (6245 in chips) 
Seat 9: the punerer (14035 in chips) 
the punerer: posts small blind 30
gulveig: posts big blind 60
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Qs Qc]
cc&7 is connected 
smlc38fc3: folds 
shiashias: calls 60
cparsley: raises 240 to 300
oxlamon: folds 
YouGotSquat: folds 
Gunnerzaka: folds 
the punerer: folds 
gulveig: calls 240
shiashias: calls 240
*** FLOP *** [Js 2c Tc]
gulveig: checks 
shiashias: checks 
cparsley: bets 960
gulveig: raises 960 to 1920
shiashias: calls 1920
cparsley: raises 1650 to 3570 and is all-in
gulveig: raises 15990 to 19560 and is all-in
shiashias: folds 
Uncalled bet (15990) returned to gulveig
Gunnerzaka said, "sure is squat:)"
*** TURN *** [Js 2c Tc] [4d]
*** RIVER *** [Js 2c Tc 4d] [Ts]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
gulveig: shows [Jc Jh] (a full house, Jacks full of Tens)
cparsley: shows [Qs Qc] (two pair, Queens and Tens)
gulveig collected 9990 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 9990 | Rake 0 
Board [Js 2c Tc 4d Ts]
Seat 1: gulveig (big blind) showed [Jc Jh] and won (9990) with a full house, Jacks full of Tens
Seat 2: smlc38fc3 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: shiashias folded on the Flop
Seat 4: cparsley showed [Qs Qc] and lost with two pair, Queens and Tens
Seat 5: oxlamon folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: YouGotSquat folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Gunnerzaka (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: the punerer (small blind) folded before Flop

4:19p A small karmic retribution, but still $6,400 shy of starting point...

PokerStars Game #43511270213: Tournament #2010050021, $20+$2 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level II (30/60) - 2010/05/02 16:17:22 CT [2010/05/02 17:17:22 ET]
Table '2010050021 14' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: gulveig (10320 in chips)
Seat 2: smlc38fc3 (10570 in chips)
Seat 3: shiashias (9800 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (1725 in chips)
Seat 5: oxlamon (9725 in chips)
Seat 6: nCall,urGOOD (8950 in chips)
Seat 7: YouGotSquat (16640 in chips)
Seat 8: Gunnerzaka (9425 in chips)
Seat 9: the punerer (13970 in chips)
gulveig: posts small blind 30
smlc38fc3: posts big blind 60
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Kh Qc]
shiashias: folds
cparsley: calls 60
oxlamon: folds
cparsley said, "ROTFLOL"
nCall,urGOOD: folds
YouGotSquat: calls 60
Gunnerzaka: raises 270 to 330
the punerer: folds
gulveig: folds
smlc38fc3: folds
cparsley: calls 270
YouGotSquat: folds
*** FLOP *** [Jh Ts Ac]
cparsley: checks
Gunnerzaka: bets 560
cparsley: raises 835 to 1395 and is all-in
Gunnerzaka: calls 835
*** TURN *** [Jh Ts Ac] [4h]
*** RIVER *** [Jh Ts Ac 4h] [5s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [Kh Qc] (a straight, Ten to Ace)
Gunnerzaka: shows [Qh Qd] (a pair of Queens)
cparsley collected 3600 from pot
Gunnerzaka said, "dink"
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3600 | Rake 0
Board [Jh Ts Ac 4h 5s]
Seat 1: gulveig (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: smlc38fc3 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: shiashias folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: cparsley showed [Kh Qc] and won (3600) with a straight, Ten to Ace
Seat 5: oxlamon folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: nCall,urGOOD folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: YouGotSquat folded before Flop
Seat 8: Gunnerzaka showed [Qh Qd] and lost with a pair of Queens
Seat 9: the punerer (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

4:17p I joined the SCOOP Event #2 "L" side, and first hand, oh come on Stars!

PokerStars Game #43511228124: Tournament #2010050021, $20+$2 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level II (30/60) - 2010/05/02 16:16:38 CT [2010/05/02 17:16:38 ET]
Table '2010050021 14' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: gulveig (10380 in chips)
Seat 2: smlc38fc3 (10570 in chips)
Seat 3: shiashias (9800 in chips)
Seat 4: cparsley (10000 in chips)
Seat 5: oxlamon (9725 in chips)
Seat 6: nCall,urGOOD (8950 in chips)
Seat 7: YouGotSquat (8275 in chips)
Seat 8: Gunnerzaka (9425 in chips)
Seat 9: the punerer (14000 in chips)
the punerer: posts small blind 30
gulveig: posts big blind 60
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Ac Kh]
smlc38fc3: folds
shiashias: folds
cparsley: raises 240 to 300
oxlamon: folds
nCall,urGOOD: folds
YouGotSquat: raises 420 to 720
Gunnerzaka: folds
the punerer: folds
gulveig: folds
cparsley: raises 9280 to 10000 and is all-in
YouGotSquat: calls 7555 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (1725) returned to cparsley
*** FLOP *** [6s As Qc]
*** TURN *** [6s As Qc] [9s]
*** RIVER *** [6s As Qc 9s] [5c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [Ac Kh] (a pair of Aces)
YouGotSquat: shows [Qd Ad] (two pair, Aces and Queens)
YouGotSquat collected 16640 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 16640 | Rake 0
Board [6s As Qc 9s 5c]
Seat 1: gulveig (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: smlc38fc3 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: shiashias folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: cparsley showed [Ac Kh] and lost with a pair of Aces
Seat 5: oxlamon folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: nCall,urGOOD folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: YouGotSquat showed [Qd Ad] and won (16640) with two pair, Aces and Queens
Seat 8: Gunnerzaka (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: the punerer (small blind) folded before Flop

3:56p Tourney break time:

SCOOP (Spring Championships of Online Poker) - Event #1 (6max NL)

Level "L" - Remaining Players: 5,712 Payouts Begin at 4,800th place

Level "M" - Remaining Players: 2,137 Payouts Begin at 1,020th place

Level "H" - Remaining Players: 392 Payouts Begin at 102nd place

3:46p A little bit of a head scratch here as Steindl calls with nothing...

PokerStars Game #43509515869: Tournament #2010050013, $2000+$100 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2010/05/02 15:44:16 CT [2010/05/02 16:44:16 ET]
Table '2010050013 10' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: Gith (9734 in chips)
Seat 2: J. Steindl (52273 in chips)
Seat 3: Kripp85 (21345 in chips)
Seat 4: angelguillen (9396 in chips)
Seat 5: govshark2 (10748 in chips)
Seat 6: $teveyMoney (5319 in chips)
Gith: posts the ante 25
J. Steindl: posts the ante 25
Kripp85: posts the ante 25
angelguillen: posts the ante 25
govshark2: posts the ante 25
$teveyMoney: posts the ante 25
Kripp85: posts small blind 100
angelguillen: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
govshark2: folds
$teveyMoney: folds
Gith: folds
J. Steindl: raises 375 to 575
Kripp85: folds
angelguillen: calls 375
*** FLOP *** [5h Th Tc]
angelguillen: checks
J. Steindl: checks
*** TURN *** [5h Th Tc] [Ah]
angelguillen: checks
J. Steindl: checks
*** RIVER *** [5h Th Tc Ah] [Jh]
angelguillen: checks
J. Steindl: bets 675
angelguillen: calls 675
*** SHOW DOWN ***
J. Steindl: shows [9d 8c] (a pair of Tens)
angelguillen: shows [6h 6s] (a flush, Ace high)
angelguillen collected 2750 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2750 | Rake 0
Board [5h Th Tc Ah Jh]
Seat 1: Gith folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: J. Steindl (button) showed [9d 8c] and lost with a pair of Tens
Seat 3: Kripp85 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: angelguillen (big blind) showed [6h 6s] and won (2750) with a flush, Ace high
Seat 5: govshark2 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: $teveyMoney folded before Flop (didn't bet)

3:40p The new player in is Kripp85 from Budapest with $21,595.

3:35p I was just about to say these guys are way too patient for one another, when...

PokerStars Game #43508982745: Tournament #2010050013, $2000+$100 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2010/05/02 15:34:45 CT [2010/05/02 16:34:45 ET]
Table '2010050013 10' 6-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: Gith (11564 in chips)
Seat 2: J. Steindl (33435 in chips)
Seat 3: Pappe_Ruk (18358 in chips)
Seat 4: angelguillen (8256 in chips)
Seat 5: govshark2 (9793 in chips)
Seat 6: $teveyMoney (5309 in chips)
Gith: posts the ante 25
J. Steindl: posts the ante 25
Pappe_Ruk: posts the ante 25
angelguillen: posts the ante 25
govshark2: posts the ante 25
$teveyMoney: posts the ante 25
J. Steindl: posts small blind 100
Pappe_Ruk: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
angelguillen: folds
govshark2: folds
$teveyMoney: folds
Gith: folds
J. Steindl: raises 400 to 600
Pappe_Ruk: raises 1275 to 1875
J. Steindl: raises 2475 to 4350
Pappe_Ruk: raises 13983 to 18333 and is all-in
J. Steindl: calls 13983
*** FLOP *** [7d 2c Qc]
*** TURN *** [7d 2c Qc] [8h]
*** RIVER *** [7d 2c Qc 8h] [As]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
J. Steindl: shows [Qd Qh] (three of a kind, Queens)
Pappe_Ruk: shows [Ac Kc] (a pair of Aces)
J. Steindl collected 36816 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 36816 | Rake 0
Board [7d 2c Qc 8h As]
Seat 1: Gith (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: J. Steindl (small blind) showed [Qd Qh] and won (36816) with three of a kind, Queens
Seat 3: Pappe_Ruk (big blind) showed [Ac Kc] and lost with a pair of Aces
Seat 4: angelguillen folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: govshark2 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: $teveyMoney folded before Flop (didn't bet)

3:21p With LostSoul's removal from the tournament, we're going to jump to the H version of SCOOP Event #1, with 3 PokerStars pros on the table of six players. Table Reset Time

SCOOP Event #1 "H" 6max NL Table #10

1) Gith (Portland, OR) $14,410

2) J. Steindl (Vienna, Austria) $29,649

3) Pappe_Ruk (Amsterdam, Netherlands) $19,723

4) angelguillen (Mexico) $8,731

5) govshark2 (Northbrook, CA) $9,373

6) $teveyMoney (Morgantown) $5,039

BOLD NAMES are PokerStars identified pros

3:18p After that loss, he never had the heart for it, and out he went in 8,518th place

PokerStars Game #43507957991: Tournament #2010050011, $20+$2 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level XII (300/600) - 2010/05/02 15:17:17 CT [2010/05/02 16:17:17 ET]
Table '2010050011 2095' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: lionelmue (27726 in chips)
Seat 2: lostsoul311 (4035 in chips)
Seat 3: Jarx (7628 in chips)
Seat 4: basis24 (27299 in chips)
Seat 5: oldmankost (34298 in chips)
Seat 6: Dotsch (58046 in chips)
lionelmue: posts the ante 70
lostsoul311: posts the ante 70
Jarx: posts the ante 70
basis24: posts the ante 70
oldmankost: posts the ante 70
Dotsch: posts the ante 70
Jarx: posts small blind 300
basis24: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
oldmankost: calls 600
Dotsch: folds
lionelmue: folds
lostsoul311: raises 3365 to 3965 and is all-in
Jarx: folds
basis24: folds
oldmankost: calls 3365
oldmankost said, "gl"
*** FLOP *** [As 7c 6c]
*** TURN *** [As 7c 6c] [Qh]
*** RIVER *** [As 7c 6c Qh] [4s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
oldmankost: shows [Qd Jh] (a pair of Queens)
lostsoul311: shows [9d Td] (high card Ace)
oldmankost said, "gg"
oldmankost collected 9250 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 9250 | Rake 0
Board [As 7c 6c Qh 4s]
Seat 1: lionelmue folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: lostsoul311 (button) showed [9d Td] and lost with high card Ace
Seat 3: Jarx (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: basis24 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: oldmankost showed [Qd Jh] and won (9250) with a pair of Queens
Seat 6: Dotsch folded before Flop (didn't bet)

3:08p Live by A-K, lose by A-K I guess. (or how Karma returns itself)

PokerStars Game #43507396428: Tournament #2010050011, $20+$2 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level XI (250/500) - 2010/05/02 15:08:10 CT [2010/05/02 16:08:10 ET]
Table '2010050011 2095' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: lionelmue (20926 in chips)
Seat 2: lostsoul311 (34618 in chips)
Seat 3: Jarx (9858 in chips)
Seat 4: basis24 (33589 in chips)
Seat 5: oldmankost (29828 in chips)
Seat 6: Dotsch (30213 in chips)
lionelmue: posts the ante 60
lostsoul311: posts the ante 60
Jarx: posts the ante 60
basis24: posts the ante 60
oldmankost: posts the ante 60
Dotsch: posts the ante 60
lionelmue: posts small blind 250
lostsoul311: posts big blind 500
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Jarx: folds
basis24: folds
oldmankost: folds
Dotsch: raises 1000 to 1500
lionelmue: folds
lostsoul311: raises 3000 to 4500
Dotsch: raises 25653 to 30153 and is all-in
lostsoul311: calls 25653
*** FLOP *** [2c Jd 3c]
*** TURN *** [2c Jd 3c] [6h]
*** RIVER *** [2c Jd 3c 6h] [Qs]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
lostsoul311: shows [As Ks] (high card Ace)
Dotsch: shows [Jh Ah] (a pair of Jacks)
Dotsch collected 60916 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 60916 | Rake 0
Board [2c Jd 3c 6h Qs]
Seat 1: lionelmue (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: lostsoul311 (big blind) showed [As Ks] and lost with high card Ace
Seat 3: Jarx folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: basis24 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: oldmankost folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Dotsch (button) showed [Jh Ah] and won (60916) with a pair of Jacks

2:55p Break 3, lists coming

SCOOP (Spring Championships of Online Poker) - Event #1 (6max NL)

Level "L" - Remaining Players: 9,869 Payouts Begin at 4,800th place

Level "M" - Remaining Players: 3,327 Payouts Begin at 1,020th place

Level "H" - Remaining Players: 509 Payouts Begin at 102nd place

2:48p LostSoul gets the chips in with the worst of it, but hits a rather fortunate Ace to remain in his last SCOOP of the day.

PokerStars Game #43506416502: Tournament #2010050011, $20+$2 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level X (200/400) - 2010/05/02 14:49:53 CT [2010/05/02 15:49:53 ET]
Table '2010050011 2095' 6-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: lionelmue (21396 in chips)
Seat 2: lostsoul311 (20299 in chips)
Seat 3: Jarx (33427 in chips)
Seat 4: basis24 (35469 in chips)
Seat 5: oldmankost (18578 in chips)
Seat 6: Dotsch (29863 in chips)
lionelmue: posts the ante 50
lostsoul311: posts the ante 50
Jarx: posts the ante 50
basis24: posts the ante 50
oldmankost: posts the ante 50
Dotsch: posts the ante 50
lostsoul311: posts small blind 200
Jarx: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
basis24: folds
oldmankost: folds
Dotsch: raises 800 to 1200
lionelmue: folds
lostsoul311: raises 3600 to 4800
Jarx: raises 28577 to 33377 and is all-in
Dotsch: folds
lostsoul311: calls 15449 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (13128) returned to Jarx
*** FLOP *** [Th Ad 7h]
*** TURN *** [Th Ad 7h] [2c]
*** RIVER *** [Th Ad 7h 2c] [Qd]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
lostsoul311: shows [Kc Ac] (a pair of Aces)
Jarx: shows [Kd Ks] (a pair of Kings)
lostsoul311 collected 41998 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 41998 | Rake 0
Board [Th Ad 7h 2c Qd]
Seat 1: lionelmue (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: lostsoul311 (small blind) showed [Kc Ac] and won (41998) with a pair of Aces
Seat 3: Jarx (big blind) showed [Kd Ks] and lost with a pair of Kings
Seat 4: basis24 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: oldmankost folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Dotsch folded before Flop

2:40p Finally done searching all 3 player lists, VERY likely something I'll never do again... Let's hit the mailbag, shall we.

Q: What poker pros are in today's games?
A: SEE BELOW (rotflol)

Q: How long do you see these games going?

A: I hate to say it, but till the wee hours of Monday, easily?!?!

If you want more answers, send more Qs all to support@myusapoker.com now!

1:55p Another break = Another chance to reset the 3 SCOOP events, this time with some detail!

SCOOP (Spring Championships of Online Poker) - Event #1 (6max NL)

Level "L" - Players 27,305 Remaining: 16,324 Prizes pay out at 4,800th place - $27.30 min prize

Chip Leader: ArumrunnerA with $98,489 in chips
PokerStars Pros in event: VictorRamdin, tony hachem, Tae Joon Noh, S. Ruthenberg, rubenrtv, RaSZi, RaiNKhAN, PeteDeKorver, Pappe_Ruk, NicP, nanonoko, mattidm, Marcel Luske, Jp kelly, Jorj95, JorgeArias, JasonMercier, Jan Heitmann, j.thaddeus, J. Steindl, Henrique.P, Goral(from the WBCOOP), GeorgeDanzer, frenchkiss, Emad, elmagopr, ElkY, DarusSuharto, chrisdm, Boku87, BOKPOWER, assadourian, acoimbra, aakkari, AABenjaminAA. Pros in: 35

Level "M" - Players 6,783 Remaining: 4,739 Prizes pay out at 1,020th place - $312.01 min prize

Chip Leader: dhutt with $66,596 in chips

PokerStars Pros in event: AABenjaminAA, Allingomes, angelguillen, assadourian, Boku87, BOKPOWER, CharismA3, chrisdm, Goral, Henrique.P, Jan Heitmann, JorgeArias, Jorj95, Jp kelly, juanmarceiras, Leatherass9 (what a name lol), Markushevski, mattidm, nanonoko, Pappe_Ruk, RaiNKhAN, RaSZi, ROXY24, rubenrtv, spacegravy, Tae Joon Noh, William, VARICO, CharismA3, Emad Tahtouh, GeorgeDanzer, F. Langmann, Vicky Coren, tony hachem, Marcel Luske, J. Strassmann, acoimbra, DarusSuharto, PeteDeKorver, VictorRamdin, NicP, JasonMercier, Grant Levy, Exclusive, j.thaddeus, JC Alvarado, frenchkiss, aakkari, S.Ruthenberg, johnnylodden, diatty, J. Steindl, ElkY (out in the first 10 eliminated). Pros in: 53

Level "H" - Players 788 Remaining: 638 Prizes pay out at 102nd place - $3,624.80 min prize

Chip Leader: UpmaxH with $47,670 in chips

PokerStars Pros in event: JasonMercier, GeorgeDanzer, AABenjamAA, aakkari, Allingomes, angelguillen, BOKPOWER, djatty, ElkY, Exclusive, F. Langmann, frenchkiss, Grant Levy, J. Steindl, J. Strassmann, j.thaddeus, JC Alvarado, Jp kelly, JorgeArias, Jorj95, mattidm, nanonoko, Pappe_Ruk, rubenrtv, RaiNKhAN, RaSZi, S.Ruthenberg, spacegravy, stevesbets, Vicky Coren, VictorRamdin, William. Pros in: 32

1:52p A table change and a hit in the stack for lostsoul...

PokerStars Game #43503038318: Tournament #2010050011, $20+$2 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2010/05/02 13:51:11 CT [2010/05/02 14:51:11 ET]
Table '2010050011 2095' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: JaredIngles (11260 in chips)
Seat 2: lostsoul311 (20084 in chips)
Seat 3: Jarx (37997 in chips)
Seat 4: basis24 (26477 in chips)
Seat 5: I_M_ICM (14140 in chips)
Seat 6: Dotsch (33408 in chips)
JaredIngles: posts the ante 25
lostsoul311: posts the ante 25
Jarx: posts the ante 25
basis24: posts the ante 25
I_M_ICM: posts the ante 25
Dotsch: posts the ante 25
JaredIngles: posts small blind 100
lostsoul311: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Jarx: folds
basis24: folds
I_M_ICM: folds
Dotsch: folds
JaredIngles: raises 345 to 545
lostsoul311: calls 345
*** FLOP *** [5s 5c 8c]
JaredIngles: bets 565
lostsoul311: calls 565
*** TURN *** [5s 5c 8c] [Tc]
JaredIngles: checks
lostsoul311: bets 1400
JaredIngles: calls 1400
*** RIVER *** [5s 5c 8c Tc] [Ad]
JaredIngles: bets 3135
lostsoul311: calls 3135
*** SHOW DOWN ***
JaredIngles: shows [9c 7c] (a flush, Ten high)
lostsoul311: mucks hand
JaredIngles collected 11440 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 11440 | Rake 0
Board [5s 5c 8c Tc Ad]
Seat 1: JaredIngles (small blind) showed [9c 7c] and won (11440) with a flush, Ten high
Seat 2: lostsoul311 (big blind) mucked
Seat 3: Jarx folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: basis24 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: I_M_ICM folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Dotsch (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

1:45p For those wondering why the updates are, its cause its slow... example here

PokerStars Game #43502663022: Tournament #2010050011, $20+$2 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2010/05/02 13:44:46 CT [2010/05/02 14:44:46 ET]
Table '2010050011 2810' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: hillenga81 (19218 in chips)
Seat 2: lostsoul311 (18484 in chips)
Seat 3: YanniYankiev (10455 in chips)
Seat 4: aGi-GlenN (13209 in chips)
Seat 5: 7chi (12717 in chips)
Seat 6: pantoflas13 (4742 in chips)
hillenga81: posts the ante 25
lostsoul311: posts the ante 25
YanniYankiev: posts the ante 25
aGi-GlenN: posts the ante 25
7chi: posts the ante 25
pantoflas13: posts the ante 25
YanniYankiev: posts small blind 100
aGi-GlenN: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
7chi: folds
pantoflas13: folds
hillenga81: raises 400 to 600
lostsoul311: calls 600
YanniYankiev: folds
aGi-GlenN: folds
*** FLOP *** [Ts 2d Js]
hillenga81: checks
lostsoul311: bets 1250
hillenga81: folds
Uncalled bet (1250) returned to lostsoul311
lostsoul311 collected 1650 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1650 | Rake 0
Board [Ts 2d Js]
Seat 1: hillenga81 folded on the Flop
Seat 2: lostsoul311 (button) collected (1650)
Seat 3: YanniYankiev (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: aGi-GlenN (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: 7chi folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: pantoflas13 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

1:29p LostSoul is out on the "M" game, his pocket Kings getting shell-shocked by pocket Queens with a Queen on board... And yes, I had Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles) for the European readers out there last night from ABC Family late-nite.

1:18p Let's get to a table reset of our feature table, shall we...

Event : SCOOP Event #1 "L" - Table #2810

Players at table : 6

1) hillenga81 (Struikrovers) $20,2330

2) lostsoul311 (North Wales) $17,230

3) YanniYankiev (Vancouver, BC) $11,130

4) aGi-GIenN (Bergen) $13,794

5) 7chi (Valencia) $11,168

6) pantoflas13 (Rhodes) $5,225

1:08p Set #2 underway at the opening SCOOP event, while we are on table 2810, let's dig into that mailbag... Questions can be sent to support@myusapoker.com so send them in, we'll answer as many as possible during the event.

Q: Any reason why the "M" got the smallest bump in the SCOOP?

A: I was wondering that myself, but I'd have to give it to the fact that the big players went towards the $2,100 buyin, while most folks SCOOP'ed in, so to speak, with the $22 buyin, making an over 100% increase over the guarantee for that event.

Q: I was looking to play in event #2, the 2-day hold'em event, but I didn't see anywhere as to where how long the game would go before the end of the first day. Do you know?

A: I didn't, but I asked someone who did, and the answer is the game will play for twelve (12) hours today before pausing. Level 44, 33 and 22 respectively on the L, M and H tourneys would be where the game pauses at 7am Eastern time monday morning.

12:55p Break #1 here at the opening SCOOP event, so let's take a look at all 3 SCOOP lines for the opening event!

SCOOP (Spring Championships of Online Poker) - Event #1 (6max NL)

Level "L" - Players 27,305 Guaranteed Prize Pool: $250,000 Actual: $546,100 Buyin $22

Percentage Over Guarantee: 118.44% First Place: $57,365.43

Level "M" - Players 6,783 Guaranteed Prize Pool: $1,000,000 Actual: $1,356,600 Buyin $215

Percentage Over Guarantee: 35.66% First Place: $203,493.84

Level "H" - Players 788 Guaranteed Prize Pool: $1,000,000 Actual $1,576,000 Buyin $2,100

Percentage Over Guarantee: 57.6% First Prize: $277,848.80

Total Prize Pool for SCOOP Event #1 - $3,478,700... Good Luck to those still in!

12:54p Hillenga81 showing heavy-handed poker is good when you have the goods to back it up

PokerStars Game #43499711081: Tournament #2010050011, $20+$2 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2010/05/02 12:52:48 CT [2010/05/02 13:52:48 ET]
Table '2010050011 2810' 6-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: hillenga81 (11448 in chips)
Seat 2: lostsoul311 (18015 in chips)
Seat 3: YanniYankiev (9085 in chips)
Seat 4: aGi-GlenN (17034 in chips)
Seat 5: 7chi (12438 in chips)
Seat 6: pantoflas13 (10805 in chips)
hillenga81: posts the ante 10
lostsoul311: posts the ante 10
YanniYankiev: posts the ante 10
aGi-GlenN: posts the ante 10
7chi: posts the ante 10
pantoflas13: posts the ante 10
lostsoul311: posts small blind 50
YanniYankiev: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
aGi-GlenN: folds
7chi: raises 189 to 289
pantoflas13: calls 289
hillenga81: raises 511 to 800
lostsoul311: folds
YanniYankiev: folds
7chi: calls 511
pantoflas13: calls 511
*** FLOP *** [9s As 3c]
7chi: checks
pantoflas13: bets 1100
lostsoul311 said, "the fund raising page people can donate to is www.firstgiving.com/ppuatsd"
hillenga81: calls 1100
7chi: folds
*** TURN *** [9s As 3c] [9h]
pantoflas13: bets 1700
hillenga81: calls 1700
*** RIVER *** [9s As 3c 9h] [8s]
pantoflas13: checks
lostsoul311 said, "$200 but have interested from some others on the day of the event on may 16th"
hillenga81: bets 2400
pantoflas13: calls 2400
*** SHOW DOWN ***
hillenga81: shows [Qc Ad] (two pair, Aces and Nines)
pantoflas13: mucks hand
hillenga81 collected 13010 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 13010 | Rake 0
Board [9s As 3c 9h 8s]
Seat 1: hillenga81 (button) showed [Qc Ad] and won (13010) with two pair, Aces and Nines
Seat 2: lostsoul311 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: YanniYankiev (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: aGi-GlenN folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: 7chi folded on the Flop
Seat 6: pantoflas13 mucked

12:52p Hillenga81 showing how to play heavy-handed poker...

PokerStars Game #43499559629: Tournament #2010050011, $20+$2 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2010/05/02 12:50:08 CT [2010/05/02 13:50:08 ET]
Table '2010050011 2810' 6-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: hillenga81 (10130 in chips)
Seat 2: lostsoul311 (18335 in chips)
Seat 3: YanniYankiev (9405 in chips)
Seat 4: aGi-GlenN (16644 in chips)
Seat 5: 7chi (13436 in chips)
Seat 6: pantoflas13 (10875 in chips)
hillenga81: posts the ante 10
lostsoul311: posts the ante 10
YanniYankiev: posts the ante 10
aGi-GlenN: posts the ante 10
7chi: posts the ante 10
pantoflas13: posts the ante 10
pantoflas13: posts small blind 50
hillenga81: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
lostsoul311: folds
YanniYankiev: raises 200 to 300
aGi-GlenN: folds
7chi: calls 300
pantoflas13: folds
hillenga81: calls 200
*** FLOP *** [4c 2c Ah]
hillenga81: checks
YanniYankiev: checks
7chi: bets 678
hillenga81: raises 9142 to 9820 and is all-in
YanniYankiev: folds
7chi: folds
Uncalled bet (9142) returned to hillenga81
hillenga81 collected 2366 from pot
hillenga81: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2366 | Rake 0
Board [4c 2c Ah]
Seat 1: hillenga81 (big blind) collected (2366)
Seat 2: lostsoul311 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: YanniYankiev folded on the Flop
Seat 4: aGi-GlenN folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: 7chi (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 6: pantoflas13 (small blind) folded before Flop

12:50p We'll get the updates of all 3 events during the break, and yes questions for LostSoul311 is allowed in the mailbag!

12:48p While we were updating, hillenga gets back to his $10k off the back of the short stack..

PokerStars Game #43499346374: Tournament #2010050011, $20+$2 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2010/05/02 12:46:22 CT [2010/05/02 13:46:22 ET]
Table '2010050011 2810' 6-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: hillenga81 (5950 in chips)
Seat 2: lostsoul311 (19235 in chips)
Seat 3: YanniYankiev (8940 in chips)
Seat 4: aGi-GlenN (17094 in chips)
Seat 5: 7chi (13426 in chips)
Seat 6: rigsi74 (4180 in chips)
hillenga81: posts the ante 10
lostsoul311: posts the ante 10
YanniYankiev: posts the ante 10
aGi-GlenN: posts the ante 10
7chi: posts the ante 10
rigsi74: posts the ante 10
rigsi74: posts small blind 50
hillenga81: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
lostsoul311 said, "i think because of the PS blog 2 people donated $100 each thru the fundraising page i set up as well"
lostsoul311 said, "good stuff"
lostsoul311: calls 100
YanniYankiev: folds
aGi-GlenN: folds
7chi: folds
rigsi74: raises 200 to 300
hillenga81: raises 500 to 800
lostsoul311: calls 700
rigsi74: raises 3370 to 4170 and is all-in
hillenga81: raises 1770 to 5940 and is all-in
lostsoul311: folds
Uncalled bet (1770) returned to hillenga81
*** FLOP *** [9d 3h 2c]
*** TURN *** [9d 3h 2c] [Qd]
*** RIVER *** [9d 3h 2c Qd] [Ts]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
rigsi74: shows [Ad Kh] (high card Ace)
hillenga81: shows [Qs Kd] (a pair of Queens)
hillenga81 collected 9200 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 9200 | Rake 0
Board [9d 3h 2c Qd Ts]
Seat 1: hillenga81 (big blind) showed [Qs Kd] and won (9200) with a pair of Queens
Seat 2: lostsoul311 folded before Flop
Seat 3: YanniYankiev folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: aGi-GlenN folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: 7chi (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: rigsi74 (small blind) showed [Ad Kh] and lost with high card Ace

12:45p Since we're going to be with these guys for awhile, and since you've asked for it, lets get to a table reset.

Event : SCOOP Event #1 "L" - Table #2810

Players at table : 6

1) hillenga81 (Struikrovers) $10,950

2) lostsoul311 (North Wales) $18,345

3) YanniYankiev (Vancouver, BC) $8,960

4) aGi-GIenN (Bergen) $16,644

5) 7chi (Valencia) $13,436

6) pantoflas13 (Rhodes) $9,620

12:42p For those asking, the charity site is http://www.pokerplayersunite.org for all the information on the 16th SCOOP event and his other event at a different poker site.

12:35p We're going to pick up coverage on table 2,810 featuring fellow blogger Lostsoul311, who's donating his winnings to charity later on in the SCOOP. So if I can't win, we definitely hope he will take it down!

12:32p 12,532nd, and I shouldn't be suprised it was the same person who hit the sick 4 outer had to hit a runner runner play to finish me off... At least now I get to go digging for some fellow bloggers...

PokerStars Game #43498506582: Tournament #2010050011, $20+$2 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level III (40/80) - 2010/05/02 12:31:35 CT [2010/05/02 13:31:35 ET]
Table '2010050011 2124' 6-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: Absurdity1 (8990 in chips)
Seat 2: hasakasa (10305 in chips)
Seat 3: dcg30 (9380 in chips)
Seat 4: pollyson (11225 in chips)
Seat 5: cparsley (950 in chips)
Seat 6: MrBj79 (29150 in chips)
hasakasa: posts small blind 40
dcg30: posts big blind 80
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [9h Jh]
pollyson: folds
cparsley: calls 80
MrBj79: raises 240 to 320
Absurdity1: folds
hasakasa: folds
dcg30: folds
cparsley: calls 240
*** FLOP *** [Th 9d Tc]
cparsley: checks
MrBj79: bets 720
cparsley: calls 630 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (90) returned to MrBj79
*** TURN *** [Th 9d Tc] [Js]
*** RIVER *** [Th 9d Tc Js] [Kc]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [9h Jh] (two pair, Jacks and Tens)
MrBj79: shows [Qd Ac] (a straight, Ten to Ace)
MrBj79 collected 2020 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2020 | Rake 0
Board [Th 9d Tc Js Kc]
Seat 1: Absurdity1 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: hasakasa (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: dcg30 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: pollyson folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: cparsley showed [9h Jh] and lost with two pair, Jacks and Tens
Seat 6: MrBj79 showed [Qd Ac] and won (2020) with a straight, Ten to Ace

12:27p I'm still in, thanks for asking on the mail on table #2124. $1,000 is still enough to work on with $30/$60 blind levels. We're just over 24,000 players with a $480,000 and climbing prize pool thus far.

12:19p Nothing like being crippled... Flopping a straight on the turn, re-raising a $700 bet to $3,300 and he calls to spike his four outer. I've got $1,100 remaining is all I have. :( The guy took about 90 seconds of the 4 minute timebank given during this SCOOP event)

PokerStars Game #43497728256: Tournament #2010050011, $20+$2 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level II (30/60) - 2010/05/02 12:17:17 CT [2010/05/02 13:17:17 ET]
Table '2010050011 2124' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: Absurdity1 (9230 in chips)
Seat 2: hasakasa (10440 in chips)
Seat 3: dcg30 (11960 in chips)
Seat 4: noquarter222 (8200 in chips)
Seat 5: cparsley (10635 in chips)
Seat 6: MrBj79 (9535 in chips)
Absurdity1: posts small blind 30
hasakasa: posts big blind 60
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [5h 9h]
noquarter222 said, "nh"
dcg30: folds
noquarter222: folds
cparsley: calls 60
MrBj79: raises 60 to 120
Absurdity1: folds
hasakasa: calls 60
cparsley: calls 60
*** FLOP *** [Ks 7c 6s]
hasakasa: checks
cparsley: checks
MrBj79: bets 240
hasakasa: folds
cparsley: calls 240
*** TURN *** [Ks 7c 6s] [8h]
cparsley: checks
MrBj79: bets 780
cparsley: raises 2495 to 3275
MrBj79: calls 2495
*** RIVER *** [Ks 7c 6s 8h] [6c]
cparsley: bets 7000 and is all-in
MrBj79: calls 5900 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (1100) returned to cparsley
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley: shows [5h 9h] (a straight, Five to Nine)
MrBj79: shows [Kc 6h] (a full house, Sixes full of Kings)
MrBj79 collected 19220 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 19220 | Rake 0
Board [Ks 7c 6s 8h 6c]
Seat 1: Absurdity1 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: hasakasa (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 3: dcg30 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: noquarter222 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: cparsley showed [5h 9h] and lost with a straight, Five to Nine
Seat 6: MrBj79 (button) showed [Kc 6h] and won (19220) with a full house, Sixes full of Kings

12:15p Nothing much so far, 6 max NL Hold'em that started at $25/$50 blinds, with a large $10,000 starting stack for the event... Keep those questions coming, we'll be getting into it as the day goes on.

12:00p Welcome everyone, and we're live for the opening day of the SCOOP. As I am in the "L" level of the SCOOP ($22 buyin), most of our live coverage will be on that event, but we'll look into the other 2 as the day goes on. We're also looking for other bloggers from the WBCOOP, and yes, the mailbag is open now at support@myusapoker.com!

I am pissed... at myself mostly... May 1st

We are just a single day away from the SCOOP starting over at PokerStars, and one of the sites I play with from time to time was offering a super satellite for the opening event of the SCOOP on the "L" side, paying $22 tickets to the final 10. With 11 players remaining, the chip leader at our table is raising every single hand without abandon not caring what happens with over $600,000 in chips in his hand. I'll admit, I was getting upset at these actions, but was also keeping an eye on the other table and there was a player who was at $40,000 remaining in his stack at a $5/$10k blind level.

The hand that well, still has me talking to myself came down with me being in the big blind with pocket Aces (A-A). Instead of his standard raise he has been doing, he just shoves all-in from the small blind, with action on me. I call all-in, to have him flip over Jack-four (J-4), and to my horror, the board flops a Jack and a four! No pair ups on the turn or river, and I'm the bubble boy in 11th place. The hand history is below...

PokerStars Game #43464894979: Tournament #267139527, Freeroll  Hold'em No Limit - Level XXVII (4000/8000) - 2010/05/01 17:43:52 CT [2010/05/01 18:43:52 ET]
Table '267139527 5' 6-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: crazysit (167121 in chips)
Seat 2: Yo0oOo (657076 in chips)
Seat 3: cparsley (263460 in chips)
Seat 4: Kalha3 (283097 in chips)
Seat 5: paymall (212975 in chips)
Seat 6: Agber (85209 in chips)
crazysit: posts the ante 1000
Yo0oOo: posts the ante 1000
cparsley: posts the ante 1000
Kalha3: posts the ante 1000
paymall: posts the ante 1000
Agber: posts the ante 1000
Yo0oOo: posts small blind 4000
cparsley: posts big blind 8000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Ac As]
Kalha3: folds
paymall: folds
Agber: folds
crazysit: folds
Yo0oOo: raises 648076 to 656076 and is all-in
cparsley: calls 254460 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (393616) returned to Yo0oOo
*** FLOP *** [Jd 4h 7h]
*** TURN *** [Jd 4h 7h] [Tc]
*** RIVER *** [Jd 4h 7h Tc] [2s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Yo0oOo: shows [Jc 4c] (two pair, Jacks and Fours)
cparsley: shows [Ac As] (a pair of Aces)
Yo0oOo collected 530920 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 530920 | Rake 0
Board [Jd 4h 7h Tc 2s]
Seat 1: crazysit (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: Yo0oOo (small blind) showed [Jc 4c] and won (530920) with two pair, Jacks and Fours
Seat 3: cparsley (big blind) showed [Ac As] and lost with a pair of Aces
Seat 4: Kalha3 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: paymall folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Agber folded before Flop (didn't bet)

It makes me wonder why didn't I just fold and let the $40,000 stack bust and be the bubble boy instead... I guess I will not learn...

Remember, if you have money at stars, or SCOOP tickets, the series starts tomorrow, good luck!

Freedom from the Tax-man... Apr 23rd

Having as many folks on this side of the pond has done last week, we got our taxes done, filed and wrote our checks to end the pain for the year. However, it makes you wonder each year why we go through this, and how as each year goes on, how we can do it without having to pay someone to do it for us.

For example, this year I was coming up still owing about $420, and I don't know about you, I don't like to donate that kind of cash to Uncle Sam if I can avoid it. After running the numbers non-stop, I had to grab the "instruction manual"... yes there is a manual for the 1040 form, and it DOES read like stereo instructions. However, after breaking it down piece by piece I finally found out the missing piece of the puzzle. Obama (AND NO this is NOT a political post) as part of his promises, instituted a "making work pay" credit that was to get workers a little more back in each of their paychecks for the year. The issue is that it did not actually make the taxes lower, it just took less out for Federal Taxes each paycheck, which constituted for my $400 deficit. After going thru that manual, I found out there was a form that can be filled out that would allow me to get that $400 off that tax bill.

Okay, enough of that madness, you all come for the poker, and I have two poker videos presented to us by the good folks over at PokerStars.com on games you normally may not play. Pot Limit Omaha and Seven Card Stud are on the docket for today, ladies and gentlemen, so here they are... Enjoy team Pokerstars members walking you thru the games that otherwise are forgetten in favor of Texas Hold'em.

Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) w/ Daniel, Greg, and Joe from team Pokerstars

Seven Card Stud with Joe Hachem and Greg Raymer from team Pokerstars

From the ashes, I'm back... Apr 14th

Hello everyone, and after some soul searching, and a lot of thought, I've decided to return back to the blog (with a name change to simply "The Road" as the Commerce tag would be rather pointless at the time.

So, let's get some things out of the way since the last time we've talked. Of the four sites, I got a nearly $300 check from SpadeClub for a few games there, finished 9th on Monday's ClubWPT late game, placed in the money on several of PokerStars' Americas' Cup games, and otherwise learning and growing day by day. Nothing huge to report, but I think my next look would be to try to find out some way to get a WSOP invite.

Tax time is around the corner, and the eternal procrastinator I am still has me NOT having my taxes filed yet. It's usually a challenge with me online with one of the free tax services to get filed at like 11:55p on the fifteenth, but I hope I can beat that by a day tonight.

You know, with all this writing, I could use some ice cream right about now. You know, a real big nice happy SCOOP Poker Tournament of that ice cream. Whoa, where that come from? Yah, it's that time of year. For those who were around during the WBCOOP, the SCOOP is among us, and any/all tickets won during the WBCOOP are good for the SCOOP series upcoming... Now where's that Ice Cream!?!?!?

Finally for this inagural return post, my father (god bless him) wants to go play a live tournament this weekend at a friends house. He has not played anything other than online freerolls (PokerStars' 10cent Double Shoot out tickets for the America's Cup, the Big Game freerolls) you get the drift. He wants me to put him thru the paces on live play (blind stacks, min bet levels, etc) in live play that online sites take care of automatically. Each nite I've been there so far hes' come home too late so I've been there instead of in the nice home sweet home.

Since I am back, send any questions, blog topics, etc you'd like to talk about to support@myusapoker.com and we'll chat away. Until then, have a great flop, turn and river!

Back in the snow.. Feb 23rd

I'm home, yay... (chuckles), and I'm still letting the previous week sink in, all the folks I met (from Party Gaming's group, to ClubWPT folks, to WPT officials, Mr. Savage (yes, he's that good, he deserves to be called Mr.), and one very well, I don't know what I want to say about him), and all the whirlwind that was the Invitational.

A wrap up on the LA casino games (pan 9) will be at the bottom of this post, if you want to see on the game, skip down there now. As for me, I'm still thinking what could I have done differently, what plays should I have made (or not made) to possibly make this road still going to next Wednesday (and the final table of the Invitational). For now, I see one pair I overplayed, but wasn't a critical mistake, but other than that, I don't see much that could of been changed. I guess sometimes, things are just not meant to be, but hey I got to taste Kobe beef from Japan for the first time. (Yes, they had meatballs at the pre-party, spicing it up with making them made of the expensive stuff).

Now, I guess I have to address what will probably get called "the Matasow incident". Mike, "the Mouth" Matasow, love him or hate him, is a rather polarizing figure, to say the least. I first saw Mike while I participated in the TSO on Friday (first day in LA), while Mike was playing down to a conclusion in the $10,000 buy-in HORSE championships, with Eli Elizra and a few other pros at the table. Mike wasn't really getting any love from his competitors at the table, and I did note the fact as I headed back to my table to resume play in the first round of the shootout.

Fast forwarding to Saturday night (Invitational nite), I had got me some Kobe beef meatballs and cheese squares and went outside the ballroom (but still upstairs), to enjoy a little nibble before we got down to the game about 20 minutes later, to whom should be standing just to my right? None other than Mike, right there in the flesh. I started by saying I am a fan, and didnt really get much more out before getting a "heh" from him, immediately followed by a shout of "where's the red carpet we're supposed to walk on to get photographed?", screaming it down the hallway. To this, I thought he could of at least took a few seconds to compose a sentence at least, but chalked it up to in his mind, he figured he was busy and had something to do.

As I started play in the invitational, I once again had Mikey on the mind as he was a table up and to the left and me, and even with all the noise and action going on, he still found a way to rise above all of that to be heard and let everyone know he was there. At this point, I still did not have anything against him, thinking he's just playing the role that has been set out to further the Matasow name. I give him all the credit in the world for doing so, and I honestly believe he doesn't act, that is just the way he is, and has helped him get to where he is today.

At the break, I figured he'd be less "busy" than before, and maybe who knows, get a sentence out of him, have a cool post to put here on the Road blog (you know, that would had been cool, given me a nice high going into the 2nd set of three blind levels, and been cool all around). Alas, poor Horatio, that was not to be. With him all alone, I again approached in an attempt to introduce and console him on the Horse final table, where he was eliminated in 10th place in the event.

I will post more on Mikey later, as I want to give him a chance to explain before posting. Stay tuned.

To wrap up LA casino games, the pan 9 game is played with a stripped deck, removing all 7s, 8s, 9s, and 10s cards (face cards, J-Q-K) are left in the deck. Each player and the dealer are dealt three cards face down, and the goal is to get as close to a total of nine as possible. If the player likes their total they place their cards vertically on the felt, signaling they are fine with their hands. Players, however who would like to improve their hands, place their hand horizontially on the felt, signaling to the dealer they would like to hit their hands. Each of these hands are dealt one card face down to complete their hands.

The dealer then exposes their cards, and depending on the total may draw a fourth card as well. After all cards have been drawn, the hands are compared, and winning player hands pay out. Tie hands push, except for ties on totals of zero or one, which the dealer wins.

It's a simplistic game, but rather easy to pick up and play. If it wasn't for that dang collection, this wouldn't be bad at all.

Final Day of the Road to Commerce.. Feb 22nd

I went dark after that loss, it's never a good time when you bust out of the biggest event you have been in. However, since I have a few hours before the flight leaves LAX (Los Angeles) airport, let's get the loose ends tied up, shall we?

One, the bust hand... I know, I know, I left without stating what happened yesterday, and for that I apologize, so let's get to it shall we.

I was in the first seat, 2nd in the hand and I see Ace-Jack suited on the LAPC cards. I make a normal bring-in to which my nemesis in seat three is more than happy to call. The flop comes down 7-J-A, to which I hit a nice two pair. I lead out about $3,000 to which he smooth calls. The turn brings an eight to the party (7-J-A-8), and considering the play, I come out with another $3,000 to which he snap all-ins. He has me covered, and I have just shy of $12,000 remaining in my stack, to which after thinking for a few moments I call to which is more than giddy to roll over the 9-10 offsuit. The river bricks with another eight, and ends my LAPC WPT Invitational run. I guess this is why the phrase, "which is why playing poker is clearly a game of skill" is uttered. For those who can't get it, I'm being sarcastic, wink wink.

Airport costs are well, terrible... Airport food stands, etc. are probably the only place that can make your local movie theatre look like your getting a good bargain. I'm right next to a Burger King here, and the $1 double cheeseburger is here on the menu for $3.69. A whopper combo meal, you might ask, will set you back $10.49. Another neat little thing is if you remember those old VISA card commercials where everyone paying by plastic keeps the world moving quickly, but anyone pulling out cash or GASP! god forbid a check, kills the flow. It's the actual fact here at the LAX American Airlines terminal, the wheels of the cog flowing left and right with people just swippie swippie here, and swippie swippie there. It's interesting to see what changes occur in different parts of the country. Being without plastic in some form just would not work here, as you can not use cash on any flight, nor really anywhere here in LA.

End of the Invitational (yah, not so good).. Feb 21st

Well its over. The official time for those wondering was just shy of two hours in on Sunday's play, and my road to the Invitational's final table is over. I do know one of us (the ClubWPT 12) is still in play at this point, LeRon Washington (who goes by the name of Dream187 on ClubWPT), is still alive, and I believe the last of us 12 still in the hunt. I wish him the best of luck, and if he does make it to that final table, we will definitely be rooting for him to take it down.

I made a beeline out of Commerce after the end, wasn't happy on how it ended, and wanted to enjoy the rest of my last day in California after that happened. I do not know how that will be at this point, just suffice it to say it won't be at the Commerce.

Invitational, day 2 (woo-hoo).. Feb 21st

We start here rather quickly, as the joyfullness of the pre-game party from last nite has subsided and the task at hand of making the final table and the promised land of the Invitational is all around us. Matasow is still as annoying as hell, but a lot of folks have dropped over the six hours we played last nite, celebs, qualifiers, Commerce players and pros alike. More coming up later, send those questions in to support@myusapoker.com as it'll be either a great day to answer some mail, or something to sulk in after the bust out. (Lets just hope that one doesn't happen!)

Late LATE nite.. Actually Feb 21st (now)

3am now as we are leaving the ballroom here at the Commerce, day one in the books with us restarting at 1pm in the afternoon. I am actually writing this waiting for a taxi back to the DoubleTree, this hopefully should get up before I arrive here later today.

Some quick thoughts, this was mostly a Party Poker / Full Tilt Poker pro event, as there wasn't a PokerStars guy within several hundred miles of the place (they are in Vegas for their NAPT event). We do however, have ESPN poker commentator Norman Chad, he was waiting most of the night on the side as an alternate trying to get in, right next to Hank Azaria, most notable for the SImpsons.

Hysteria Lane was represented by Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher, and Jesus (Chris Fergueson) played right next to Jerry Buss of the Lakers. Mike Sexton, Poker hall of fame and WPT commentating fame, was on table 21, and the most notable person to me (at least in relation to closeness) was Mike Matasow one table up and to the left of me, within earshot all nite. If you are wondering, no it's not an act, it's how he is 24x7. A loud, obtrusive individual not even able to acknowledge anyone wanting to say hi, give him any good will, what have you. Stock in him plummeted that day, while relatively quiet but hard working players like Daniel went up.

Before I lay my head down to sleep, the most enjoying the pre-game buffet? That would have to be Andy Bloch, who enjoyed himself mightily all hour long from 7-8 before the game began. I'll see you after some rest all.

Later in the day of the even.. Still Feb 20th

I just came back up from the pool side after hitting the workout room (nice little place) and met an interesting fellow from Sweden who came over for the Invitational courtesy of Party Poker. These are the folks I'd love to be in the company of, jetsetting across the planet from tournament to tournament, as they say. That however looks to be a long ways off, but it is nice to at least for a few minutes, get to feel part of that world.

From here of course, the Commerce is the next stop to get ready for the Invitational helping out Crysalis, a great charity that if you have some spare coin sitting around, help them out gang! I'll be making a $200 donation to them tonight (and getting $10,000 more in chips for it mind you). When I come back, I'll have details from the event, and hopefully good news that the ride isn't yet over.

Day of the event (LA Saturday).. Feb 20th

It's morning here in LA, so let's get to some of those games they had at the Commerce.

Blackjack (21st Century No Bust) - My first thoughts were, this LOOKS like blackjack, but what the heck have they done to what is normally an easy and fair game. There are SIX color circles at each spot (allowing up to six players to bet on a single hand (highest bet has decision control on the hand), an auto-shuffler to keep the cards mixed, and blackjacks paid at only 6:5 (Not advertised on the layout mind you)). So, suffice it to say, a bad bad state of affairs for the game of blackjack.

The "No Bust" section works that if the player and the dealer both bust by going over 21, but the player went over by less than the dealer went over, you get to push. Again not worth it. Suffice it to say, STAY the heck away from this game.

Three Card Poker - California (Commerce) three card poker, is interesting to say the least. They add a three card royal to the paytable at 200:1, but they reduce the flush from 4:1 to 3:1, and take away the play bonuses of 1, 4 and 6:1 for straight, trip, straight flush respectively. Unlike blackjack here, they do make a trade-off for the odds changes, and that is they reveal one of the three cards dealt to the dealer before the player decides to play or fold.

There is also one last change in this game, while the dealer still needs Queen or better to qualify and make all bets live, a dealer hand of less than Queen does not guarantee a win on the opening bet. A player must still have a better hand than the dealer non-qualify in order to win the bet.

EZ Baccarat (No Commission format) - Where I am from here in the midwest, Baccarat in any form is usually hard to come by, but here in Southern California, the game is alive and well, in this variant. While normal baccarat rules pay even money on player bets, and even money minus a five percent (5%) commission on winning banker bets, the Southern Californian version takes away that 5% commission from the banker side of the house. In exchange for that commission being removed, they make a three card drawn banker hand of seven that would be a winner be paid as a push instead of a banker win.

The Tie bet is still here, but an additional bet due to the banker seven push rule is available called "the Dragon". The bet only pays when the push on the banker hand would occur, and pays 40:1 when it hits.

Of the games, I'd stay away from blackjack, and not be too bad to play either 3-card or Baccarat. I've only included games I actually played. I did notice the Carribean Poker game they had has a locked in $30,000 top prize (for a royal), and is only 50c for the bonus bet per hand instead of a dollar. I also plan to take a look at the Pan-9 game before I leave, and will get information here when I do. I'm heading down to the pool now to relax before the Invitational. Until later on, enjoy!

Day one in Los Angeles (part 2).. Feb 19th

Hmmm, where do I begin. This place has poker, poker, poker, poker, and did I mention it has poker. I'd estimate about 100 tables in the main parlor for everything from 3-6 to as high as you want to go limit, $40 on up buyin No Limit, as well as Omaha, Horse, Stud, and even Chinese Poker available. In addition, there is about another 70 or so tables in the main casino area with the higher limit poker games, and fifty or so tournament poker tables upstairs for LAPC/WPT in the ballroom. So saying that the Commerce loves poker is an UNDERSTATEMENT! I played some $100 buyin NL until the tournament began at 1pm, and while losing to start, I came back and broke just a little to the good by the time the tournament began. The game was a TSO (Triple Shoot Out) event, meaning you have to win your table to advance. At the first break, while not really having a hand, I was one of four remaining at my table, but definitely the short stack. That was soon to be corrected as pocket 6s found me leaving the table when being called by Jacks. So much for my first Los Angeles tournament.

From there, I figured I'll go downstairs and see what passes for casino games in the great state of California, and I still don't know what to think. I knew going out that state law prevented casinos in California from having slot machines or video poker games, as these locations are more approiately referred to as card clubs than casinos. They also are not to have any positive or negative outcome due to the result of the game (so to act as an impartial 3rd party in the game). I, however, now doubt that idea based on what I saw.

Let me explain. At each table, you have a dealer at the normal dealer position to deal the cards, control the action, and settle win/lose answers. This guy does NOT however pay you from the rack, or take your losing chips into his rack. That is the job of the person at first base on the table. This person is extremely bankrolled, to the tune of $15,000 or more in their spot on every table. This is who pays off the winners, and takes in the losers money from every hand. They definitely look like they work for the casino, which in this mind makes me think why keep up with pretenses, except of course due to that being California law. In my next post, I'll break down the games and my first thoughts on them, as I'll more than likely hang out at the DoubleTree until it is close to the Invitational time to start.

Until then, have a great nite all.

Day one in Los Angeles.. Feb 19th

In the land of swimming pools and movie stars (yes, I know it's a classic television line), my first day in LA wakes up to a blah day at about fifty degrees. I know it's like a major heatwave compared to where I came from, but from the shuttle guy last night, nothing compared to Thursday's weather in LA of the 80s.

Ok, detour time. Omaha's terminal was nice, DFW's (Dallas-Fort Worth) terminal was interesting with a speed tram that zooms all over from terminal to terminal (there are five in that airport), and LAX for what I saw Thursday night was rather nice, and concise from departure gate, to baggage claim. Where everything scrambled down to a screeching halt was at the SuperShuttle pickup. (I had booked a trip with these guys to avoid the Los Angeles taxi rates, which are obscene). After waiting 15 minutes for the shuttle going my way (9 others from the company passed by in the meantime), and with me being the only one heading toward Commerce, I had to wait as the driver made another trip around EVERY SINGLE GATE at LAX again, to pick up a grand total of NOBODY ELSE and finally getting me to the DoubleTree at 12:40 in the morning (LOS ANGELES time), so my body is like, man it's just shy of 3am!

I'm going to head over to the Commerce later today to get a layout of the casino, hopefully play in one of the preliminary LAPC events, and otherwise relax before the Invitational on Saturday. Talk to you all later.

The real road trip begins... Feb 18th

Hello everyone, I am writing you currently from the Dallas Fort Worth airport computer terminal as I wait for the transfer flight to Los Angeles to get over to the Commerce Casino to start that portion of the epic adventure.

The keyboard I am typing this on seems to be a real throw back keyboard to the old classic payphones of the past, as these keys are all metallic, and writes like a clunky tool lost past its prime. I am actually overloading it with my typing speed it is about a minute behind updating the display with what I am typing (lol).

From here it is off to Los Angeles from gate D21 to get into the LAX terminal. From there its off to the hotel so I can get some much needed sleep! I'm shooting video footage and will get it up as soon as I can, and yes, I'll get footage of this keyboard as well. Until thgen, have a great nite all.

My apologies... Feb 16th

Let me start off up front, I apologize for not updating as of late, I've had a run of close but no cigar finishes which has got me down. Let me explain...

With the Commerce road coming to an end, I started to look towards what could I do to make sure this is not just a one and done chance on the big stage. The first event I went after was the WPTAPL Classic, which would be held in Florida in April. The WPTAPL (also known as the World Poker Tour Amateur Poker League) event allowed two participants to go to the event. No matter what I could do, no matter the cards, all I managed to end up with is 5th place out of 2,019 players. Being just three shy of having a 2nd trip to continue the dream after Commerce would had been a great geat day.

On the heels of that, the next shot was the WPT ME tournament, awarding a $10,000 World Poker Tour seat in any WPT event remaining in this season (LAPC, Bay 101 Shooting Stars or the Hollywood Classic), with only the winner getting the gold. With nearly 3,000 players in the event, fighting left and right, most of the game felt quite good. But once again, a finish of 15th place ended that dream.

I know, a 5th and 15th out of 2k+ fields is great, and the first result would of put me on the WPT televised final table. However, to get that close, and yet have nothing to show for either result afterwords just leaves me so very empty. I know I should be looking at it that way, but just hmm....

On other news, I was working with a major cardroom (I'm not going to mention them here) to sponsor me in the LAPC main event in exchange for promoting them in both that LAPC main event, and the Celebrity Invitational. It was a win-win for both, as the site would get promotion for two events for the price of one, and I would be in the LAPC with a second chance to keep the dream going. Since that is not going to happen (baring a last second negoiation I am in), we will have to make it what it will be.

The current schedule for the Road to Commerce in action at the present time is:

Thursday Evening - Flying from here to Los Angeles (LAX) airport and checking in at the hotel.

Friday

- 1pm (tentative) Being over at the Commerce for the $335 Shootout event of the LAPC.

- 6pm (very tentative) Visiting the Jimmy Kimmel set for an episode taping.

Saturday

- 3pm (tentative) Heading back over to the Commerce to check-in for the WPT Invitational.

- 7pm WPT Celebrity Invitational Red Carpet walk and pre-party

- 8pm WPT Celebrity Invitational "Shuffle up and Deal"

Sunday

- 2am WPT Celebrity Invitational concluding for day #1.

- 1pm WPT Celebrity Invitational resuming for day #2.

Monday - Flying back home (hopefully with a return trip to Los Angeles for the final table)

I also do promise to keep you more informed as we go, and I should have a video camera with me for some nice video during the upcoming days. Until then, have a great day!

Remember the old saying, a chip and a chair?... Feb 7th

With us now inside of two weeks away from the big event, I wanted to start focusing on more of the "tough spots" to get out of, so to speak. Today, that got me looking at that quite bleak PokerStars balance of a, make sure your sitting down to take this, sixty cents. That's right, double that bankroll and add 5c more and you could have a bottle of soda. So, what can be done on sixty whole cents?

For those who haven't visited the "wrong side of the tracks" in the online poker world, so to speak, it suprisngly has got a lot better than it used to be. Where the landscape used to be .50/1 or higher for the minimums, poker rooms have got way more adapt at taking and placing into action that very last dime, quarter, or in the case of PokerStars, even that last penny, I kid you not. They have a 990-player turbo Sit 'n Go that has a buyin of a whole penny.

I digress, as I sat down at a ten-cent 360 player SNG with the first dime, and who knows what it was, I just wasn't able to get into it. Not wavering from the challenge yet, I went again with dime #2 when things started to roll. You know the feeling, where you just seem to be able to pull the perfect read, the perfect play time and time again. No, I'm not referring to you having the deck hit you squarely between the eyes, anyone can get that kind of rush, but a bonafide, even if for very small stakes, an almost professional clarity of when your beat and when your underpair was indeed good.

Suffice it to say, I went on to win that dime-fest, and get $8.50 for my actions. I wanted to test this versus a little higher calibur of competion, so a $1.10 45-man was the next stop, and while losing the first, won the second one for a $14.00 prize.

So finally, as it was approaching 3am at this point, I went into a $3.25 45-man event, ran into a 6th place finish for $9.00 (which I still hate as while calling it all right, pulled what could only be defined as a Matasow blowup) and donked it away. So, not deterred, entered one more, and ended up winning that for a $42.00 payday.

I know the end balance still is puny compared to most everyone out there, but to go from 60 cents to over $68.00 is more than a 110 fold increase in the bankroll, and left me hitting my head on the pillow in quite a good state of mind.

As for yesterday's post, I'm trying to clear it with ClubWPT and the WPT in general to see if auctioning off the pass is allowed or not. I do not want to get kicked out of the event trying to help someone. Until next time, don't give up, you never know what you could accomplish!

A small detour, if we may... Feb 6th

I had an article all reay to go today, but then I took some time to read the mailbag before writing, and one email in there changed my plans.

In our WBCOOP coverage last week, we met a nice, funny guy who goes by the screenname of lostsoul311, who's real name is Eric (I'm not posting last names, you know me, so don't ask!). His email reads in part :

Chris,

I need your help...I am working on a few projects to help raise money for NTSAD.org (National Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases Association). Last Thursday night right before the start of Event #5 (I assume he meant #4), I found out a dear friend has lost her nephew earlier in the day to Tay-Sach's disease. He was only 5 1/2 years old at the time. I dedicated that tournament and the eight game as well in his memory, cashing in both. I plan to donate 100% of any cash I win from those events to the cause.

He has since setup a facebook group (Poker Players Unite against Tay-Sachs disease), and has more information about his efforts and the disease at his site http://rabbip0kernews.blogspot.com.

Guys, take a few moments, visit the site, check it out, and help someone out if you are able to. Until next time, we can all make a difference, will you?

P.S. - I know that I get 2 VIP passes for the Invitational red carpet event pre-tournament. I wonder if they'd let me auction one off for the cause... I guess I got a phone call to make!

And STOP on a whammy!... Feb 5th

What was pleasant yesterday turned into not so pleasant news today as I just got word that we got passed over all together in the Blogging category for the WBCOOP coverage, losing to folks like RGC, (who only did final tables and only Mon-Fri) final tables at that. I guess some folks just go for pictures.

Had I lost to folks who put the time, the effort that we did here during the week, it wouldn't faze me much, as I know you all loved it as your numbers hitting out site during the week were just, well, awesome! Our traditional readers were around, as well as a lot of new folks jumped on the Road to Commerce from our coverage of the WBCOOP last week.

You know, now that I write this more (and rethink) as I'm typing this out on the old HP (yes, I work for Apple, but I don't have a MacBook), I come to the realization that it, well, really does not matter what someone else thinks, but what I know was done, the work put into it, and all of you got out of it from the week. From the live updates, to the mailbag questions to myself, PokerStars Polish pro Goral, and even a few fun tables and stories we thought nobody would ever divulge willingly.

Until next time, rock on everyone, rock on.

What in life doesn't lie (or is that a Highly Coveted Tweeter?).. Feb 4th

After I booked last nite (the trip) to make sure I didn't get caught up on fares increasing, I figured for laughs I'd pull up Bingie to see what new number it was posting. To my suprise, it was STILL the same price, with the same projected uptick for tomorrow. Hehehe, I am starting to think Bing is a poker player, and called my bluff.

In other news, I got word from PokerStars today that I was a "Highly Coveted Tweeter" for the WBCOOP coverage last week, and secured another $33 SCOOP ticket in the process by doing so, upping the total now to $77 in tournament buyins, with the blog award still to come. Nice way to get some good news, as those who were in the tweeting category were some of the best (at least I thought), especially with Wookie being there.

Until next time, spin or solve? (I know the graphic was yesterday, but come on Wheel!)

Isn't the Wheel kind enough to give us a graphic... Feb 3rd

Look what I found this morning... I thought it just HAD to have a place up on the site here. :)

I thought that was, well just spiffy :)

Expedia, Priceline, Hotwire, why all these guys have no clue on making it easy?... Feb 2nd

As I mentioned in the previous post, it seemed like today would HAVE to be the day I finally paid my money to book everything for this journey. Let's see what we need to get done.

Transportation to and from the airport (Check, my vehicle)

Airfare from airport to LAX (Needing done)

Hotel in the LA area (preferrably near the Commerce) (Also needing done)

Ground transportation to and from LAX <> Hotel (Praying hotel would do)

So let's see, Bing (who's been there since day one) saying a flight from my starting point to LAX should come in today at about $213 round trip, but would be $267 if waited till tomorrow. So, figuring that should be a constant number, (and most of those sites up above did agree on the $213 number within a buck or two), it was time to get to the hotel.

This is where it got interesting. Most sites would try to either shoehorn me into a hotel right near LAX (but nowhere near Commerce), and offer about a $60-$65 a nite rate, or would put me into a town called "Pico Rivera" which it seems is about four or so miles from Commerce, again at a $60-$75 rate per night. There also was one hotel coming up in Commerce itself, but that one was listing at a very VERY varied rate depending on where I was booking it. The DoubleTree in Commerce sits a mere two or so blocks away from the Commerce, but was pricing between $110-$189 a night. Five nights there would eat up over half to almost the entire $1,000 budget right there (depending on where it got booked at in that scale).

Leaving that to the side for a moment, I figured to look into the travel "rules of engagement" when arriving in Los Angeles. From LA Taxi Fare Finder, a one way taxi ride would come to $73.50 per way over to Commerce. That immediately ruled out getting a hotel near LAX and jaunting over to Commerce for the event, as depending on how well I did, that could be four trips in a taxi, coming to just shy of $300 in taxi fares alone. This also caused an additional problem, as going from Pico Rivera to the Commerce, while not as far, would still ring up some decent taxi fares, as well as the away from and coming back to LAX taxi fares. What I needed was a hotel with a shuttle service that would pick me up at LAX and shuttle me to the hotel, however that was turning out to be nothing much more than a pipe dream, as all the Pico Rivera hotels were of the Travelodge variety, and were not going to have shuttles going 15 miles to LAX and back.

So, as much as I didn't like the 110-ish rate at the DoubleTree (and the hotel actually connected to the casino isn't accepting any reservations), I called them and asked if they had a shuttle that could take care of this for me, figuring saving nearly $300 in taxi's could make up for the hotel's higher price tag. Their answer, however, brought me back to earth quickly as they told me, that yes, they do have shuttle service available, it's LOCAL shuttle service only within five miles of the hotel. Back to the drawing board I went...

That is until I decided on a whim to try the airfare/hotel combining thing, and when searching for the doubletree right then and there, the entire package had dwindled to only running $512.22, making each night about $75 instead of the $110-$189 (taking the 212.22 out for the airfare cost). I pounced on it, taking care of 90% of my trouble. I still had to worry about those pesky taxi rates, or so I thought as the site was it at again, offering me a shuttle van from the airport to the hotel for only $16-$21 each way. Thinking this was awesome, I clicked to see which of the prices I should book to not run into any trouble, running into the frustration that neither was listed on the site! So calling the site (big mistake), with just a simple question that taking my trip I just booked with them, would the hotel in the package be considered in zone 1 or zone 2, so I could book the right tickets? You'd think I was trying to get a new set of ten commandments from the mountain for all the trying to reason with these folks it took (try nearly an HOUR, and two supervisors). They finally get the answer, I book the passes and off I went to finally reflect that it's done.

The total cost on it? $544.22, leaving me with $455.78 left of the thousand. Maybe I might enter that Friday one-day event of the LAPC while I'm there as a pre-tournament warmup? Who knows... Until next time, chow everyone!

Bing kicked my rear (and other things)... Feb 2nd

Ever since I've won my seat into the Invitational, I've had Bing Travel do a daily search for flights from here to Los Angeles, and so far, the price has held rather steady for the most part, only modifying a few dollars one way or another. That was until today's email from Bing, that basically said, hey man, the price is still low THIS INSTANT, but we're betting the farm on it going up $54 by no later than tomorrow morning. (Sounds like a loan shark or your corner bookie, eh?) So, I guess today will be finalizing day to get all the ducks in a row, so to speak. I'll likely have a second post later today with the results of all that, so stay tuned.

As for that engraved "formal" invitation, nothing yet, will keep you informed on that, as it was supposed to be to me on the first.

Putting it all in perspective... Feb 1st

Alright, my head is still swimming a little, blogging past 12:30am on that final, and being up less than four hours later to get to work was not the most enjoyable thing in the world. However, your not here to have me whine about that, are you?

While I can honestly say I would had hoped the WBCOOP would have gone better for me, it was nice to go through a trial like that, where the fields were close to what I should be experiencing at the Invitational, while keeping up this blog with all the live blog posts (and thank you all for visiting non-stop during the week, at our high point we were over 2,000 views an hour for a blog, thanks), and tweeting all at the same time. I'll talk more about those in the upcoming days as PokerStars makes their choices as to best Tweeters and Bloggers during the event.

My take, you ask from this event? That would be $44.00 in tournament entries (as a $33 and a $11 buyin) for an upcoming SCOOP (Spring Championships of Online Poker), many new friends (on the felt, fellow bloggers, new viewers to the site, etc), a look into my highs' and lows' of my current playing mindset (like chasing way too many straights and flushes), and other goodies.

Where we go from here. Well, I still gotta finalize my airfare/hotel for Los Angeles before the prices go up (as we're approaching the 14-day window on airfares, etc), as well as getting my engraved "formal" invitation to the party, event, and VIP passes. Last second suggestions on hotel in the LA area is still more than definitely accepted at support@myusapoker.com, so send them in. Until next time, don't look that way, all that's over there are 7-2 offsuits. :)

I've done a lot of puns this week, but today is "Smack the Turtle -- LIVE!"... Jan 31st

No Limit (to the fun), day six has a lot of LIVE aspects... Jan 30th

The live blog for day six (NL Hold'em) has been moved here to prepare for the championships.

Many games, one winner, day five is Johnny five (AKA is (a)LIVE!)... Jan 29th

Technology be damned, day four is LIVE... Jan 28th

The live blog for day four (NL Hold'em) has been moved here to prepare for today's event.

Take #3, that means we're LIVE AGAIN.. Jan 27th

The live blog for day three (NL Hold'em) has been moved here to prepare for today's event.

It was fun, let's go LIVE AGAIN.. Jan 26th

The live blog for day two (Pot Limit Omaha) has been moved here to prepare for today's event.

And we're LIVE.. Jan 25th

The live blog for the opening day has been moved here to prepare for today's event.
 

Day one of the Blogger Championships.. Jan 25th

Good early afternoon everyone, as we are about four hours out from the first event in the World Blogger Championships. This is to get everyone ready for what is upcoming this week, our schedule, and all that other good stuff.

Each day we should be live at least thirty minutes prior to event start time here on the site with table coverage, and meeting some of the other Bloggers in the event, their blogs, etc (you know, to expand horizons!) Please be with us for all the fun this week, and for me, a nice gear up for the Invitational.

So, speaking of the Invitational, I'm still not sure exactly how I'm going to play it, with a $10k starting stack and one $10k stack rebuy available in the first two hours of play. Some folks would say to play looser than normal, leaving that rebuy for if/when you fail with the loose play, but others say have that entire $20k to go out of the 3rd level and run the table. Any thoughts either way, send them in to support@myusapoker.com. Also, shoot in any Blogger questions there, and I'll see you all in about 3 and a half hours from now.

The Blogger Poker Championships.. Jan 24th

As you can see from above, I've joined the Blogger Championships, and figure it would be a more fitting way to gear up for the Invitational. Stay here each day this week as I'll be blogging as the events occur to see how the championships roll.

Interesting... Jan 23rd

Today, I got a "Save the date" invitation from the World Poker Tour for the WPT Invitational, which starts to put a lil of the fear of the event. As before, the invitation is below... (and yes, it's now my wallpaper on the laptop)

Just a 'lil worried... Jan 21st

Over a month and a half has gone by, but the site has yet to get the $1,000 to me for travel arrangements, so I'm worried just a little bit. Stay tuned, as come heck or high water as the saying goes, I plan on being there on the red carpet opening nite of the Invitational.

The challenge goes on hold... Jan 16th

After the handling that occured last time, I held back a day or two before the game continued, but without postive results. Going into four games with $10 each, three of the four went busto and the fourth only left $3.30 of the $10, leaving a balance of $6.15. The run of donk play here I don't think is what I should be subjecting myself to this close to the Invitational, so until further notice I am going to put the challenge on hold, subject to making some new thoughts about the focus that I should be going into.

Any suggestions and/or thoughts about it all are always welcome at support@myusapoker.com, and until next time.... when at first you don't succeed, well you know... :)

What goes up must come down (the challenge)... Jan 13th

What was going to be a great nite reporting turned out to be a nasty nasty nite after all. Let me explain.

When we last left off on the challenge, we had just came back to about even on the bankroll and still at the 50 cent / one dollar level. Playing four tables, I went on a tear, going up over $60 to end up at $112.10 (Penelope +$44.10, Mardeen +$7.95, Earl +$9.10, Lonnie -$0.05)

That play now allowed the game play to go to the $1/$2 level, and going for 2 tables (Footbridge and Lush), took miraculous bad beats to drop $50 on Lush, and $19.75 on Footbridge, leaving the roll at $42.85 (back to the .50/1 level for tomorrow).

Let's take a look at a couple of hands from the 1/2 tables...

Hand 1 from Lush (actual hand history below)

Full table playing, I am at seat 5 in the small blind with J-9 of spades. Seat 2 raises to $2 (first raise) and five of us go to the flop.

The flop comes out 10-Q-K (2 spades, the 10 and Q), giving me a 2nd straight (would lose to the A-J), but also an open-ended straight flush draw to go with the straight. I bet straight out, 2 fold, Seat 2 calls and seat 3 raises. I 3 bet the flop back, seat 2 folds and the re-raiser calls.

Two of us to the turn where the five of spades fall, now giving me the flush with the straight flush draw still in play. I bet and the player calls.

The river comes the five of hearts, leaving the final board: 10-Q-K-5-5. I bet, he now raises, I three bet and he calls.

I flip over my flush, and he shows pocket 10s for a full house, tens over fives, taking the pot away. To be honest, I should of just called the river here instead of three betting the hand, as pocket 10s would of had nine outs (19%) shot going to the river.

Hand 2 from Footbridge (again, actual hand history below)

This time we are one shy of a full table (seat 8 is not at the table) playing at Seat 4 in the small blind again. This time I look down to see pocket Aces (diamond/club) to have the under the gun player to raise it up. Everybody folds around to me, where I take it up to three and he calls (big blind folded).

Heads up to the flop we went with a : 8-9-A flop (two clubs) to which I immediately bet, not wanting a straight or flush draw to get there cheaply. He just calls.

The turn comes the four of diamonds, and being a safe card, I bet to watch him raise. Not making any sense (and the fact is that I still have the nuts at this point, I three bet the hand and he caps it.) The river comes the Queen of diamonds : 8-9-A-4-Q, and with the flush being a miss, and he not betting on the flop, figured it was a safe card, so another bet it went. He raised to which I re-raised and he went all-in for less than a full bet. Calling to find him flop over a 10-J for a straight on the river, watched me losing the hand once again. Unlike the last hand, I don't see anything at all where I could of made a change. If you think so, shoot me an email and let's talk about it.

Until next time, stay playing... (the hand histories are below for your records)

HAND #1: Full Tilt Poker Game #17556744878: Table Lush - $1/$2 - Limit Hold'em - 22:07:18 ET - 2010/01/12
Seat 1: colddeadhands ($19)
Seat 2: Crib Midget ($16)
Seat 3: koyotee ($32.25)
Seat 4: Cactus Spine ($58.50)
Seat 5: cparsley ($27)
Seat 6: 777 GopStop 777 ($28.25)
Seat 7: gregorsbooty ($5.50)
Seat 8: WingedS ($96.25)
Seat 9: LUONGOISLORD ($17.75)
cparsley posts the small blind of $0.50
777 GopStop 777 posts the big blind of $1
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Js 9s]
gregorsbooty folds
WingedS folds
LUONGOISLORD folds
colddeadhands calls $1
Crib Midget raises to $2
koyotee calls $2
Cactus Spine folds
cparsley calls $1.50
777 GopStop 777 calls $1
colddeadhands calls $1
*** FLOP *** [Ts Qs Kd]
cparsley bets $1
777 GopStop 777 folds
colddeadhands folds
Crib Midget calls $1
koyotee raises to $2
cparsley raises to $3
Crib Midget folds
koyotee calls $1
*** TURN *** [Ts Qs Kd] [5s]
cparsley bets $2
koyotee calls $2
*** RIVER *** [Ts Qs Kd 5s] [5h]
cparsley bets $2
koyotee raises to $4
cparsley raises to $6
koyotee calls $2
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cparsley shows [Js 9s] a flush, Queen high
koyotee shows [Td Th] a full house, Tens full of Fives
koyotee wins the pot ($32) with a full house, Tens full of Fives
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $33 | Rake $1
Board: [Ts Qs Kd 5s 5h]
Seat 1: colddeadhands folded on the Flop
Seat 2: Crib Midget folded on the Flop
Seat 3: koyotee showed [Td Th] and won ($32) with a full house, Tens full of Fives
Seat 4: Cactus Spine (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: cparsley (small blind) showed [Js 9s] and lost with a flush, Queen high
Seat 6: 777 GopStop 777 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 7: gregorsbooty didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: WingedS didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: LUONGOISLORD didn't bet (folded)

Hand #2 : Full Tilt Poker Game #17556763582: Table Footbridge - $1/$2 - Limit Hold'em - 22:08:06 ET - 2010/01/12
Seat 1: lomy ($34.25)
Seat 2: slasher68 ($8)
Seat 3: D Razor ($65)
Seat 4: cparsley ($48)
Seat 5: jim arre ($52)
Seat 6: moe_u_down ($18.50)
Seat 7: Grandpa Coach ($46.75)
Seat 9: buxi108 ($38.75)
cparsley posts the small blind of $0.50
jim arre posts the big blind of $1
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cparsley [Ad Ac]
moe_u_down raises to $2
Grandpa Coach folds
buxi108 folds
lomy folds
slasher68 folds
D Razor folds
rawl316 adds $40
cparsley raises to $3
jim arre folds
moe_u_down calls $1
*** FLOP *** [8c 9c Ah]
cparsley bets $1
moe_u_down calls $1
*** TURN *** [8c 9c Ah] [4d]
cparsley bets $2
moe_u_down raises to $4
cparsley raises to $6
moe_u_down raises to $8
cparsley calls $2
*** RIVER *** [8c 9c Ah 4d] [Qd]
cparsley bets $2
moe_u_down raises to $4
cparsley raises to $6
moe_u_down raises to $6.50, and is all in
cparsley calls $0.50
*** SHOW DOWN ***
moe_u_down shows [Td Jh] a straight, Queen high
cparsley shows [Ad Ac] three of a kind, Aces
moe_u_down wins the pot ($37) with a straight, Queen high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $38 | Rake $1
Board: [8c 9c Ah 4d Qd]
Seat 1: lomy didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: slasher68 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: D Razor (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: cparsley (small blind) showed [Ad Ac] and lost with three of a kind, Aces
Seat 5: jim arre (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: moe_u_down showed [Td Jh] and won ($37) with a straight, Queen high
Seat 7: Grandpa Coach didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: buxi108 didn't bet (folded)

An upturn in the challenge… Jan 12th

That normal pattern, what a pipe dream..., Jan 6th 
Hello again, I know I promised to write more often, but mother nature did not seem to want to work with that plan. We are currently on our third blizzard in the past two weeks (fun, I know), and really didn't have anything to write yet (starting to think everything will come in at the very end). However, I did yesterday (at about 4:30) get an interesting email from the Club. It states:

Dear Chris,

Congratulations on winning a seat into the 2010 WPT Celebrity Invitational Event!

Please open the attached document for more detailed information about the event. You will be receiving your official inviation around February 1st, at which time you'll need to confirm your attendance and provide the name of the non-playing guest you plan on bringing along.

We can't wait to see you. Best of Luck!

You know, I didn't notice until transcribing it here, they misspelled the word "invitation" in the invitation. So the next time you feel bad for missing a word, remember even professional outlets misspell.

As for the attached, here it is in all it's glory.



Now, I love that this is supposed to be an advance on the information that we had before, but other than the contact name, there is not anything new here. I'll keep you all informed.

Now, lets get to a few of those questions I've been promising forever.

Q: So what exactly did you do to get this opportunity?

A: I played in a World Poker Tour qualifying event online at ClubWPT.com, outlasting 1,450 other players to win the one and only prize package being given away for the event.

Q: Congratulations on the win. So what exactly did you win?

A: Thanks for the good vibes. The prize package includes a seat in the 2010 World Poker Tour Poker Celebrity Invitational at the Commerce Casino in the city of Commerce, California. I also receive $1,000 in cash to make travel/hotel arrangements on my own, and 2 VIP passes to the before party for the event.

Q: So how much did this cost you, must of been a pretty penny, eh?

A: No, not at all. The cost was to be honest, was that of a postage stamp and some time out of my day.

Followup Q: No really, you got this seat for virtually nothing?

A: That is correct. Sites like ClubWPT to operate in the USA, do not charge per tournament in order to play. They charge a subscription charge in order to play at the site for the entire month (in 1, 3 or 12 month increments).

So until next time, keep sending in the questions (they may help me write more frequently), and I'll leave you on a joke. The next time someone tells you to go to hell, tell them you can't as you got a restraining order. Have a good day.

1. The World Series of Poker (WSOP) - The Super Bowl, the BCS of the poker world, the World Series has the prestige, the honor of the premiere jewel in the poker crown. One win there sets someone in the world of poker for life if he/she wants to. The only problem I see currently with the WSOP is that the fields are so large, it's not really feasible anymore for someone to get in this way.
2. The Regional Poker show (Heartland Poker Tour, So. Cal Poker Tour, etc) route - The "everybody" route, low buyins but still televised poker on a regional basis. The only problem here is there is not the prestige, the setting up upon the poker world that the WSOP can definitely cause.
3. The World Poker Tour (WPT) - The tour that sprung up to compete with the WSOP, and has come into it's own with an extensive tour schedule of it's own. If the WSOP is the BCS, the WPT is the regular season.

So, playing at a site called ClubWPT, I entered a tourney labeled "WPT Celebrity Seat", and the tournament starts with nearly 1,500 players (or runners for the folks on the other side of the pond) in the tournament, with only first place getting the prize (yes I know 300 or so got points), but let's face it, everyone was in there for the prize and not the points.

The game played on, and I don't know how to totally explain this, but it seems some nights, some games, you are just focused in and nothing escapes you during the contest. At the end of the night when the smoke cleared, I was the only one remaining at the top of the heap, and won the "WPT Celebrity Seat", as the email said. I'll post the email if I remember later to do here.

Stay with me for the upcoming weeks as we cronical "the Road to Commerce" (name subject to change) as we'll go through getting ready for the trip, setting up airfare, hotel and all other necessities, as well as the emotional and skill set practicing to be in top form when the day comes.

Until next time, have a great nite, and go out there and win a hand, will you?

For Previous Poker Rants (including the older stuff), click here!