Poker is old. Backgammon is new.

I've been playing a lot of Backgammon lately.
I had a game recently where I had a very lucky roll.

The score (after 2 games) is: Paul_William 0, You 2 (match to 3 points), Crawford game
Match Information:


Very Lucky
Move number 46: X to play 44

 GNU Backgammon  Position ID: 754jAABuuwEAcA
                 Match ID   : 8AlyAAAAEAAA
 +13-14-15-16-17-18------19-20-21-22-23-24-+     O: Paul_William
 |             O    |   |    O     O  O  O |     0 points
 |                  |   |    O     O  O  O |     
 |                  |   |    O     O  O  O |     
 |                  |   |          O     O |     
 |                  |   |                  |    
v|                  |BAR|                  |     3 point match (Cube: 1)
 |                  |   |                  |    
 |                  |   |                  |     
 |                  | X |    X        X    |     
 |                  | X | X  X  X  X  X    |     Rolled 44
 |                  | X | X  X  X  X  X    |     2 points
 +12-11-10--9--8--7-------6--5--4--3--2--1-+     X: You
Pip counts: O 45, X 122

* You moves bar/17* bar/21(2)
Alert: very lucky roll! ( +1.493)

Rolled 44 (+1.493):
*    1. Cubeful 0-ply    bar/17* bar/21(2)            Eq.:  +0.591
       0.797 0.059 0.000 - 0.203 0.034 0.000
     2. Cubeful 0-ply    bar/21(3) 5/1                Eq.:  -0.858 ( -1.449)
       0.078 0.001 0.000 - 0.922 0.234 0.000
     3. Cubeful 0-ply    bar/21(3) 6/2                Eq.:  -0.920 ( -1.511)
       0.048 0.000 0.000 - 0.952 0.268 0.000


Output generated Sun Aug 13 18:02:27 2006
by GNU Backgammon 0.14-mingw (Text Export version 1.70)

Welcome back to 2/4!

I decided to go back to 2/4. This hand made me feel good about my decision. Gotta love the bluff 3-bet on the river, combined with the call of the cap.

PokerStars 2/4 Hold'em (9 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with Tc, Qc.
3 folds, Hero calls, 1 fold, CO raises, 3 folds, Hero calls.

Flop: (5.50 SB) 4c, 6h, Jc (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets, Hero calls.

Turn: (3.75 BB) 5d (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets, Hero calls.

River: (5.75 BB) Ac (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets, Hero raises, CO 3-bets, Hero caps, CO calls.

Final Pot: 13.75 BB

Results in white below:
Hero has Tc Qc (flush, ace high).
CO has Kd Qd (high card, ace).
Outcome: Hero wins 13.75 BB.

KillerDucky

PokerStars 0.50/1.00 Omaha/8 (10 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is UTG with 4h, Td, 4c, 6s.
1 fold, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 calls, 1 fold, MP2 calls, MP3 calls, 2 folds, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: (6.50 SB) Qh, 2s, Th (6 players)
SB checks, BB checks, UTG+1 checks, UTG+2 checks, MP2 bets, MP3 calls, SB calls, BB calls, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 calls.

Turn: (6.25 BB) 6d (6 players)
SB checks, BB checks, UTG+1 checks, UTG+2 checks, MP2 bets, MP3 folds, SB raises, BB calls, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 calls, MP2 calls.

River: (16.25 BB) 8d (5 players)
SB checks, BB checks, UTG+1 bets, UTG+2 calls, MP2 calls, SB folds, BB folds.

Final Pot: 19.25 BB

Results in white below:
UTG+1 has Ah 8s 4d 3s (Low: 8, 6, 3, 2, A | High: one pair, eights).
UTG+2 has 5d 3d 5c Ad (Low: 8, 6, 3, 2, A | High: one pair, fives).
MP2 has 2c Qd Jh 2d (High: three of a kind, twos).
Outcome: MP2 wins 9.62 BB. UTG+1 wins 4.81 BB. UTG+2 wins 4.81 BB.

Running bad with KK

I think I'm 1/5 on my KK. Here is the latest (hmm probably should 3bet flop).

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (9 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is SB with Kc, Kh.
1 fold, UTG+1 calls, 1 fold, MP2 calls, MP3 calls, 2 folds, Hero raises, BB 3-bets, UTG+1 folds, MP2 calls, MP3 folds, Hero caps, BB calls, MP2 calls.

Flop: (14 SB) 8c, 2s, 9h (3 players)
Hero bets, BB raises, MP2 calls, Hero calls.

Turn: (10 BB) 3h (3 players)
Hero bets, BB calls, MP2 calls.

River: (13 BB) 6d (3 players)
Hero bets, BB calls, MP2 raises, Hero calls, BB folds.

Final Pot: 18 BB

Results in white below:
MP2 has 5c 7c (straight, nine high).
Hero has Kc Kh (one pair, kings).
Outcome: MP2 wins 18 BB.

You called me with 9 high?!

Winning poker is easy:
"Steal" from the button with JJ.
Flop quads.
Bet/raise as much as possible.
Get called by 9 high.

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is Button with Jh, Jd.
7 folds, Hero raises, SB calls, 1 fold.

Flop: (5 SB) 3c, Js, Jc (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets, SB calls.

Turn: (3.50 BB) 4c (2 players)
SB bets, Hero raises, SB 3-bets, Hero caps, SB calls.

River: (11.50 BB) 2s (2 players)
SB bets, Hero raises, SB calls.

Final Pot: 15.50 BB

Results in white below:
SB has 9s 8c (one pair, jacks).
Hero has Jh Jd (four of a kind, jacks).
Outcome: Hero wins 15.50 BB.

Freezing up on the ultimate scare card

The flop is good, and CO bets into me giving me a golden chance to raise for protection. MP3 is a total station, he will call with anything, definitely including Axo hoping to spike his tainted 3 outer. Less read on CO, but he shouldn't concern me too greatly.
For some reason though I froze on the turn when the ace came. This is so clearly a bet! I can easily fold to a raise, or on the river take a free showdown.

PokerStars 3/6 Hold'em (9 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is Button with 9h, 9c.
1 fold, UTG+1 calls, 2 folds, MP3 calls, CO calls, Hero calls, 1 fold, BB checks.

Flop: (5.33 SB) 4d, 7c, 6c (5 players)
BB checks, UTG+1 checks, MP3 checks, CO bets, Hero raises, BB folds, UTG+1 folds, MP3 calls, CO calls.

Turn: (5.66 BB) Ac (3 players)
MP3 checks, CO checks, Hero checks.

Hand reading exercise

What do UTG and SB have?

PokerStars 3/6 Hold'em (10 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with Qs, Ks.
UTG raises, 1 fold, UTG+2 calls, 1 fold, Hero calls, 3 folds, SB calls, BB calls.

Flop: (10 SB) 4s, 6c, Kd (5 players)
SB checks, BB checks, UTG bets, UTG+2 folds, Hero raises, SB calls, BB folds, UTG calls.

Turn: (8 BB) 7c (3 players)
SB checks, UTG checks, Hero checks.

River: (8 BB) Jc (3 players)
SB bets, UTG raises, Hero folds, SB calls.

Final Pot: 12 BB












Results in white below:
SB has Kc 5c (flush, king high).
UTG has Jd Jh (three of a kind, jacks).
Outcome: SB wins 12 BB.

Yet another wait till turn hand

Maybe after the flush card comes I should just call down? There is a 3rd player in the hand, but if he has a single card heart draw he won't fold anyways.

PokerStars 3/6 Hold'em (10 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is CO with Ad, As.
UTG calls, 1 fold, UTG+2 raises, 1 fold, MP2 calls, 1 fold, Hero 3-bets, 3 folds, UTG calls, UTG+2 calls, MP2 calls.

Flop: (13.33 SB) Jd, 2h, 5h (4 players)
UTG checks, UTG+2 bets, MP2 folds, Hero calls, UTG calls.

Turn: (8.16 BB) Th (3 players)
UTG checks, UTG+2 bets, Hero...?

How hard to push 3rd set?

No preflop raise, so only 66 and a limped AA or KK beat me. Or just in general how hard do you play 2nd set? 3rd set?

PokerStars 2/4 Hold'em (10 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with 8h, 8s. CO posts a blind of $2.
1 fold, UTG+1 calls, 2 folds, Hero calls, 1 fold, CO (poster) checks, Button calls, 1 fold, BB checks.

Flop: (5.50 SB) Ks, As, 8c (5 players)
BB checks, UTG+1 checks, Hero bets, CO raises, Button folds, BB folds, UTG+1 calls, Hero 3-bets, CO calls, UTG+1 calls.

Turn: (7.25 BB) 6d (3 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets, CO folds, UTG+1 raises, Hero 3-bets, UTG+1 calls.

River: (13.25 BB) 6c (2 players)
UTG+1 bets, Hero raises, UTG+1 3-bets, Hero caps, UTG+1 calls.

Final Pot: 21.25 BB

Protection not available

Seems this hand is unprotectable, so the only thing to do is put money in and pray.

PokerStars 2/4 Hold'em (8 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with Ac, As. CO posts a blind of $2.
UTG calls, UTG+1 calls, Hero raises, 3 folds, SB calls, BB calls, UTG calls, UTG+1 calls.

Flop: (11 SB) Ks, Ah, 9s (5 players)
SB bets, BB calls, UTG calls, UTG+1 folds, Hero raises, SB calls, BB calls, UTG calls.

Turn: (9.50 BB) Td (4 players)
SB checks, BB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets, SB calls, BB raises, UTG folds, Hero calls, SB calls.

River: (15.50 BB) 2h (3 players)
SB checks, BB bets, Hero calls, SB folds.

Final Pot: 17.50 BB

Big pot brag post

Reads on the aggro MP3 raiser, and the spewing BB were what caused me to cold call here since I was quite sure I would get my implied odds. Funny thing is that while I was typing this my trip tens lost to a boat - 77! Check out the sexy call/3bet on the turn. :-)

PokerStars 2/4 Hold'em (9 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is Button with 7c, 7s. UTG+1 posts a blind of $2. CO posts a blind of $2.
1 fold, UTG+1 (poster) checks, 2 folds, MP3 raises, 1 fold, Hero calls, 1 fold, BB calls, UTG+1 calls.

Flop: (9.50 SB) 5d, 7h, 5h (4 players)
BB bets, UTG+1 folds, MP3 calls, Hero raises, BB calls, MP3 calls.

Turn: (7.75 BB) Js (3 players)
BB checks, MP3 bets, Hero calls, BB raises, MP3 calls, Hero 3-bets, BB calls, MP3 calls.

River: (16.75 BB) 2s (3 players)
BB bets, MP3 folds, Hero raises, BB calls.

Final Pot: 20.75 BB

Results in white below:
BB has Jc 9h (two pair, jacks and fives).
Hero has 7c 7s (full house, sevens full of fives).
Outcome: Hero wins 20.75 BB.

Embarrased

PokerStars 3/6 Hold'em (10 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with 7d, 7h.
1 fold, Hero calls, UTG+2 calls, 3 folds, CO calls, Button raises, 2 folds, Hero calls, UTG+2 calls, CO calls.

Flop: (9.33 SB) Qc, 5d, 6h (4 players)
Hero checks, UTG+2 checks, CO checks, Button bets, Hero raises, UTG+2 folds, CO folds, Button calls.

Turn: (6.66 BB) 3d (2 players)
Hero bets, Button raises, Hero calls.

River: (10.66 BB) Ad (2 players)
Hero bets, Button raises, Hero folds.

Final Pot: 13.66 BB

KK in trouble?

MP1 is 24/12/2.23 after 466 hands. Should I raise flop to try to get a cheap showdown? Just call down? Pokerstove makes it about 50/50 from the flop and turn, so by the turn I'm getting 7:2 to call down assuming he fires river. PokerStars 2/4 Hold'em (10 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with Ks, Kc.
UTG calls, 2 folds, MP1 raises, 1 fold, Hero 3-bets, 4 folds, UTG folds, MP1 calls.

Flop: (8.50 SB) 6c, As, Qs (2 players)
MP1 bets, Hero calls.

Turn: (5.25 BB) 4d (2 players)
MP1 bets, Hero folds.

Final Pot: 6.25 BB

Flush draw jamming sillyness

PokerStars 3/6 Hold'em (10 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with Ks, Js.
UTG calls, 1 fold, UTG+2 calls, Hero calls, 3 folds, Button raises, 1 fold, BB calls, UTG calls, UTG+2 calls, Hero calls.

Flop: (10.33 SB) 2s, 4s, 4c (5 players)
BB checks, UTG checks, UTG+2 checks, Hero checks, Button bets, BB folds, UTG raises, UTG+2 folds, Hero calls, Button 3-bets, UTG calls, Hero caps, Button calls, UTG calls.

Turn: (11.16 BB) 6h (3 players)
UTG checks, Hero checks, Button bets, UTG folds, Hero calls.

River: (13.16 BB) Ah (2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets, Hero folds.

Final Pot: 14.16 BB

Turn check?

I think I'm betting too many turns. Here I can just check turn, call river to showdown for the same price as bet/folding turn.

PokerStars 3/6 Hold'em (8 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is CO with 9d, 9c.
4 folds, Hero raises, 2 folds, BB calls.

Flop: (4.33 SB) Ts, 8c, 2s (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, BB calls.

Turn: (3.16 BB) Ah (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, BB raises, Hero folds.

Final Pot: 6.16 BB

Another straight flush

PokerStars 3/6 Hold'em (9 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is SB with Ah, Ts.
1 fold, UTG+1 calls, MP1 calls, 4 folds, Hero completes, BB checks.

Flop: (4 SB) Kd, 6h, Th (4 players)
Hero bets, BB folds, UTG+1 folds, MP1 raises, Hero calls.

Turn: (4 BB) Qh (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets, Hero calls.

River: (6 BB) Jh (2 players)
Hero bets, MP1 raises, Hero 3-bets, MP1 caps, Hero calls.

Final Pot: 14 BB

Results in white below:
Hero has Ah Ts (flush, ace high).
MP1 has Kh 9h (straight flush, king high).
Outcome: MP1 wins 14 BB.

Overcards

Ok a real question. What would you do here?
PokerStars 2/4 Hold'em (10 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is UTG+2 with Ah, Jd.
1 fold, UTG+1 calls, Hero calls, MP1 calls, MP2 calls, 2 folds, Button calls, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: (7 SB) 8c, Th, 2c (7 players)
SB checks, BB checks, UTG+1 checks, Hero checks, MP1 bets, MP2 calls, Button calls, SB folds, BB calls, UTG+1 calls, Hero...?

I'm speechless.

KillerDucky
Checkout MP3's hand.
PokerStars 2/4 Hold'em (10 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with 4s, 4c. CO posts a blind of $2.
UTG raises, 4 folds, MP3 calls, 4 folds.

Flop: (6.50 SB) 6c, Ts, 2c (2 players)
UTG bets, MP3 calls.

Turn: (4.25 BB) 6h (2 players)
UTG bets, MP3 calls.

River: (6.25 BB) Tc (2 players)
UTG bets, MP3 calls.

Final Pot: 8.25 BB

Results in white below:
UTG has Kc Ks (two pair, kings and tens).
MP3 has 8c Qh (two pair, tens and sixes).
Outcome: UTG wins 8.25 BB.

Limp-reraise AA from the CO!

KillerDucky PokerStars 2/4 Hold'em (8 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is CO with Ad, Ah.
4 folds, Hero calls, Button raises, 2 folds, Hero 3-bets, Button calls.

Flop: (7.50 SB) 8s, 9d, 7h (2 players)
Hero bets, Button raises, Hero 3-bets, Button calls.

Turn: (6.75 BB) 4s (2 players)
Hero bets, Button calls.

River: (8.75 BB) Ac (2 players)
Hero bets, Button calls.

Final Pot: 10.75 BB

Results in white below:
Hero has Ad Ah (three of a kind, aces).
Button has Qc Qh (one pair, queens).
Outcome: Hero wins 10.75 BB.

Villian does the triple stop-n-go!

KillerDucky PokerStars 2/4 Hold'em (10 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is Button with Th, Tc.
3 folds, MP1 calls, MP2 calls, 2 folds, Hero raises, 2 folds, MP1 calls, MP2 calls.

Flop: (7.50 SB) 7s, 8d, Ts (3 players)
MP1 bets, MP2 calls, Hero raises, MP1 calls, MP2 calls.

Turn: (6.75 BB) 7h (3 players)
MP1 bets, MP2 calls, Hero raises, MP1 calls, MP2 calls.

River: (12.75 BB) 3s (3 players)
MP1 bets, MP2 folds, Hero raises, MP1 calls.

Final Pot: 16.75 BB

Results in white below:
MP1 has Js Td (two pair, tens and sevens).
Hero has Th Tc (full house, tens full of sevens).
Outcome: Hero wins 16.75 BB.

AQo terrible call down

KillerDucky PokerStars 2/4 Hold'em (10 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is Button with As, Qc.
1 fold, UTG+1 calls, 1 fold, MP1 calls, 2 folds, CO calls, Hero raises, 2 folds, UTG+1 calls, MP1 calls, CO calls.

Flop: (9.50 SB) 8c, 3c, Jc (4 players)
UTG+1 checks, MP1 bets, CO calls, Hero calls, UTG+1 calls.

Turn: (6.75 BB) Ah (4 players)
UTG+1 checks, MP1 bets, CO calls, Hero calls, UTG+1 folds.

River: (9.75 BB) 2s (3 players)
MP1 bets, CO calls, Hero calls.

Final Pot: 12.75 BB

40BB pot crazyness

KillerDucky PokerStars 2/4 Hold'em (10 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is CO with 2h, 2d.
UTG raises, 1 fold, UTG+2 (Maniac)/ 3-bets, 1 fold, MP2 caps, 2 folds, Button calls, 2 folds, UTG calls, UTG+2 =#A500AF(Maniac)/ calls.

Flop: (17.50 SB) 7d, 8s, Qd (4 players)
UTG checks, Maniac bets, MP2 raises, Button calls, UTG calls, Maniac 3-bets, MP2 caps, Button calls, UTG calls, Maniac calls.

Turn: (16.75 BB) Ad (4 players)
UTG bets, Maniac raises, MP2 calls, Button 3-bets, UTG calls, Maniac caps, MP2 calls, Button calls, UTG calls.

River: (32.75 BB) 4s (4 players)
UTG checks, Maniac bets, MP2 calls, Button raises, UTG calls, Maniac calls, MP2 folds.

Final Pot: 39.75 BB

Results in white below:
UTG has 9d 6d (flush, ace high).
Maniac has Ac Kh (one pair, aces).
Button has 5d 4d (flush, ace high).
Outcome: UTG wins 39.75 BB.