STEP AWAY FROM THE KEYBOARD!!! I finally got to start using my free $20 on Party Poker. That is definitely the only reason I was playing, especially on Party Poker. There is NOTHING I like about this site. But I guess they recently upgraded and gave some past players an incentive to come back. Ive only played on Party with free money and last time I was able to triple up the free money and with draw it for Full Tilt.

Anyhow, I had some time yesterday to play a coulple of SNGs. The first I bombed out of, but the second I did well and won. I started thinking when it was over about how I had chips the entire time and why, the hands I played, the plays I made, if I was doing anything different. So I had the HH sent to me. I learned two things:

1. I hate Party Pokers Hand Histories
2. I was playing out of my box

I wanted to reflect on it and how I had taken advice from fellow forumers to heart and thats why I am making this blog post. I know tis only a $5 SNG, so beware, lots of boring HH here and I include every hand I folded up to HU play :)

First hand I was dealt QQ. This is usually an omen of losing for me....

Total number of players : 10
Seat 1: Kahnefan9888 (2000)
Seat 2: SirGawain7 (2000)
Seat 3: nrsehoneybee (2000)
Seat 4: Khanwoman (2000)
Seat 5: lkclarkston (2000)
Seat 6: cory272 (2000)
Seat 7: rustee222 (2000)
Seat 8: fireblade333 (2000)
Seat 9: Mentawaiiii (2000)
Seat 10: paradigm777 (2000)
rustee222 posts small blind (20)
fireblade333 posts big blind (40)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Khanwoman [ Qc, Qh ]
Mentawaiiii calls (40)
paradigm777 folds.
Kahnefan9888 did not respond in time.
Kahnefan9888 folds.
SirGawain7 folds.
nrsehoneybee folds.
Khanwoman raises (150) to 150
lkclarkston folds.
cory272 folds.
rustee222 folds.
fireblade333 folds.
Mentawaiiii folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 250

Next two hands AT and A9. The AT there were a few limpers, since Id normally fold I decided to limp. I didnt hit the flop and folded. The A9 I called a min raise with and folded post flop when I didnt connect.

Q2, Q6, K2 - all folded.

I didnt likehow I played this hand in the end. It was AQ in the BB with alot of ppl in the pot. Hard hand to play and I decided just to check it since it was early.

** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Khanwoman [ Ah, Qs ]
lkclarkston folds.
nrsehoneybee: nh
cory272 folds.
rustee222 folds.
fireblade333 calls (40)
Mentawaiiii calls (40)
paradigm777 folds.
Kahnefan9888 folds.
SirGawain7 calls (40)
nrsehoneybee calls (20)
Khanwoman checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 2s, Js, 4d ]
nrsehoneybee checks.
Khanwoman checks.
fireblade333 bets (40)
Mentawaiiii calls (40)
SirGawain7 calls (40)
nrsehoneybee calls (40)
Khanwoman folds.

Ok this next hand Im really proud of, not because I won, but because I broke out of my box and did something i wouldnt normally do. I mean, normally, even tho I am in the SB and its only 20 for me to call Id pry fold here. My thinking would be, its early, no sense in getting into a sticky situation that an A9 can get you into ...yet.

Dealt to Khanwoman [ Ac, 9h ]
cory272 folds.
rustee222 folds.
fireblade333 folds.
Mentawaiiii folds.
paradigm777 folds.
Kahnefan9888 calls (40)
SirGawain7 folds.
nrsehoneybee calls (40)
Khanwoman calls (20)
lkclarkston checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 6c, 3d, Ad ]
Khanwoman bets (100)
lkclarkston folds.
Kahnefan9888 folds.
nrsehoneybee raises (200) to 200
Khanwoman calls (100)
** Dealing Turn ** : [ Qh ]
Khanwoman checks.
nrsehoneybee bets (300)
Khanwoman raises (1700) to 1700
Khanwoman is all-In.
nrsehoneybee folds.
Creating Main Pot with $2560 with Khanwoman

Then I folded J5, A3, A6, 62, K8, 95 (can you tell I cant believe I wont that hand.. LOL) 47s I didnt even play my bluffing hand!! Then I got A8 in the BB.

** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Khanwoman [ Ad, 8d ]
lkclarkston calls (60)
cory272 folds.
rustee222 folds.
fireblade333 folds.
Mentawaiiii folds.
Kahnefan9888 calls (60)
SirGawain7 folds.
nrsehoneybee calls (30)
Khanwoman checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Ac, 8s, Qs ]
nrsehoneybee bets (175)
Khanwoman raises (520) to 520
lkclarkston folds.
Kahnefan9888 folds.
nrsehoneybee calls (345)
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 2d ]
nrsehoneybee checks.
Khanwoman bets (578)
nrsehoneybee calls (436)
nrsehoneybee is all-In.
** Dealing River ** : [ 2h ]
** Summary **
Main Pot: 2152 | Side Pot 1: 142
Board: [ Ac 8s Qs 2d 2h ]
nrsehoneybee balance 0, lost 1016 [ 9s Jc ] [ a pair of twos -- Ac,Qs,Jc,2d,2h ]
Khanwoman balance 3696, bet 1158, collected 2294, net +1136 [ Ad 8d ] [ two pairs, aces and eights -- Ad,Ac,Qs,8d,8s ]


Next I played 68o to no raise, folded on the turn. Then I was dealt 78o on the button. Nothing special about the way it was played tho. I bet when I hit a pair and checked the river and just happened to still win :)

** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Khanwoman [ 7s, 8d ]
rustee222 folds.
fireblade333 folds.
Mentawaiiii calls (60)
Kahnefan9888 calls (60)
SirGawain7 folds.
Khanwoman calls (60)
lkclarkston calls (30)
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Ks, Jh, 3d ]
lkclarkston checks.
cory272 checks.
Mentawaiiii checks.
Kahnefan9888 checks.
Khanwoman checks.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 8c ]
lkclarkston checks.
cory272 checks.
Mentawaiiii checks.
Kahnefan9888 checks.
Khanwoman bets (200)
lkclarkston folds.
cory272 folds.
Mentawaiiii calls (200)
Kahnefan9888 folds.
** Dealing River ** : [ Ah ]
Mentawaiiii checks.
Khanwoman checks.
Khanwoman balance 3905, bet 260, collected 700, net +440 [ 7s 8d ] [ a pair of eights -- Ah,Ks,Jh,8d,8c ]


I folded A8 next hand, just wasnt feeling it. K3o 79o 5To J4c J6d (saw the flop in BB, no connection)
K2o T6o J2o folded 9Tc to a big raise, I was in MP folded A8o again 56o J2o and then.....

Another hand I was proud of again, not because I won, but because I made a move I normally would NEVER make with top pair. I made a good decision by thinking about why this guy would bet that much.

** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Khanwoman [ 7s, As ]
lkclarkston folds.
cory272 raises (400) to 400
rustee222 folds.
fireblade333 folds.
Mentawaiiii calls (400)
Kahnefan9888 folds.
SirGawain7 calls (300)
Khanwoman calls (200)
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Ac, 8h, 3s ]
SirGawain7 checks.
Khanwoman checks.
cory272 bets (500)
Mentawaiiii calls (500)
SirGawain7 folds.
Khanwoman raises (3305) to 3305
Khanwoman is all-In.
cory272 calls (1246)
cory272 is all-In.
Mentawaiiii folds.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ Qh ]
cory272: have to leave anyways
** Dealing River ** : [ 5c ]
Main Pot: 5592 | Side Pot 1: 1559
Board: [ Ac 8h 3s Qh 5c ]
Khanwoman balance 7151, bet 3705, collected 7151, net +3446 [ 7s As ] [ a pair of aces -- As,Ac,Qh,8h,7s ]
lkclarkston balance 1719, didn't bet (folded)
cory272 balance 0, lost 2146 [ Jd Jh ] [ a pair of jacks -- Ac,Qh,Jd,Jh,8h ]


J5o

Then I was dealt 9To. I made this call on the turn, again because I would usually fold what I think is the 2nd best hand here. It wasnt expensive to call, and decided the checks on the flop were weak and not traps. Of course I got to check the river which was nice :)

** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Khanwoman [ 9h, Tc ]
fireblade333 folds.
Mentawaiiii folds.
Kahnefan9888 folds.
SirGawain7 calls (200)
Khanwoman calls (200)
lkclarkston calls (100)
rustee222 checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 9c, Ks, 4d ]
lkclarkston checks.
rustee222 checks.
SirGawain7 checks.
Khanwoman checks.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 8c ]
lkclarkston checks.
rustee222 checks.
SirGawain7 bets (350)
Khanwoman calls (350)
lkclarkston folds.
rustee222 folds.
** Dealing River ** : [ 3c ]
SirGawain7 checks.
Khanwoman checks.
Board: [ 9c Ks 4d 8c 3c ]
SirGawain7 balance 1315, lost 550 [ 7h 8h ] [ a pair of eights -- Ks,9c,8h,8c,7h ]
Khanwoman balance 8001, bet 550, collected 1500, net +950 [ 9h Tc ] [ a pair of nines -- Ks,Tc,9h,9c,8c ]

34o was my next hand, then I played T8s to a min raise and folded post flop. K2, 74, J2.

Heres another good one. By this time in the turney I was a big chip leader. I dont play a big stack well Im too good at being the short stack!!! Anyhow, I was SB and had 7600 chips, the BB had 1119 chips and it folded to me. Normally I wouldnt want to chance giving the SS any more chips and I would pry folded this. Instead I decided to play GOOD poker like I used to and raise.

Khanwoman posts small blind (100)
lkclarkston posts big blind (200)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Khanwoman [ 8s, Kh ]
fireblade333 folds.
Mentawaiiii folds.
Kahnefan9888 folds.
SirGawain7 folds.
Khanwoman raises (525) to 625
lkclarkston calls (425)
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 8h, 5d, Kd ]
Khanwoman bets (500)
lkclarkston calls (494)
lkclarkston is all-In.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ Js ]
** Dealing River ** : [ Qh ]
Board: [ 8h 5d Kd Js Qh ]
Khanwoman balance 8720, bet 1125, collected 2244, net +1119 [ 8s Kh ] [ two pairs, kings and eights -- Kh,Kd,Qh,8s,8h ]
lkclarkston balance 0, lost 1119 [ 5c Ah ] [ a pair of fives -- Ah,Kd,Qh,5c,5d ]

38, T2, Q6 and then my bad beat for the turney. I knew it was too good to be true!! But if you notice, this is exactly the position I was trying to get myself in to take a bad beat. It didnt even phase me I even played the next hand. On the forum I started a discussion about how to not be the SS because when I take a bad beat I dont want to bust. This is a perfect example, so I will include chip counts in this Hand History as well.

Its my KJ vs QJ


Seat 1: Kahnefan9888 (961)
Seat 2: SirGawain7 (1643)
Seat 4: Khanwoman (8720)
Seat 8: fireblade333 (4736)
Seat 9: Mentawaiiii (3940)
SirGawain7 posts small blind (200)
Khanwoman posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Khanwoman [ Kh, Jd ]
fireblade333 folds.
Mentawaiiii folds.
Kahnefan9888 folds.
SirGawain7 raises (1443) to 1643
SirGawain7 is all-In.
Khanwoman calls (1243)
Creating Main Pot with $3286 with SirGawain7
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 9s, Td, Kc ]
** Dealing Turn ** : [ Ac ]
** Dealing River ** : [ 2s ]
** Summary **
Main Pot: 3286 |
Board: [ 9s Td Kc Ac 2s ]
SirGawain7 balance 3286, bet 1643, collected 3286, net +1643 [ Qd Jc ] [ a straight, ten to ace -- Ac,Kc,Qd,Jc,Td ]
Khanwoman balance 7077, lost 1643 [ Kh Jd ] [ a pair of kings -- Ac,Kh,Kc,Jd,Td ]


Ok, so this next hand was a little donkey, but let me explain. As you can see this "gentleman" was pushing with less than premium hands. And staying out of some of the earlier hands it was a pattern for him. So, when I made this raise, I obviously thought I was ahead. But hey,if ya can dish it out, ya have to take it too :)

Seat 1: Kahnefan9888 (961)
Seat 2: SirGawain7 (3286)
Seat 4: Khanwoman (7077)
Seat 8: fireblade333 (4736)
Seat 9: Mentawaiiii (3940)
Khanwoman posts small blind (200)
fireblade333 posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Khanwoman [ Ac, 9d ]
Mentawaiiii folds.
Kahnefan9888 folds.
SirGawain7 calls (400)
Khanwoman calls (200)
fireblade333 checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 9c, 7c, Ks ]
Khanwoman checks.
fireblade333 checks.
SirGawain7 bets (1000)
Khanwoman raises (3039) to 3039
fireblade333 folds.
SirGawain7 calls (1886)
SirGawain7 is all-In.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 9h ]
** Dealing River ** : [ 3h ]
Creating Main Pot with $6972 with SirGawain7
** Summary **
Main Pot: 6972 | Side Pot 1: 153
Board: [ 9c 7c Ks 9h 3h ]
SirGawain7 balance 0, lost 3286 [ Jc Kh ] [ two pairs, kings and nines -- Kh,Ks,Jc,9c,9h ]
Khanwoman balance 10763, bet 3439, collected 7125, net +3686 [ Ac 9d ] [ three of a kind, nines -- Ac,Ks,9d,9c,9h ]

The next two hands I was afraid I might of worn my luck out and folded T7c and T7s. Checked da panger in the BB but no connection. 48, 24, 83 then made a little play from the BB so the Short stack didnt get to keep any chips.

Seat 1: Kahnefan9888 (722)
Seat 4: Khanwoman (10163)
Seat 8: fireblade333 (2936)
Seat 9: Mentawaiiii (6179)
Kahnefan9888 posts small blind (200)
Khanwoman posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Khanwoman [ 5d, Td ]
fireblade333 folds.
Mentawaiiii folds.
Kahnefan9888 calls (200)
Khanwoman checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Qh, Kh, Ah ]
Kahnefan9888 checks.
Khanwoman bets (400)
Kahnefan9888 folds.


Next we checked down a pot with the SS (kahnefan) but he pulled it out and tripled up. Folded 36, J5 and then got no action on my ACES! Bastids. Looking back I pry should of just checked here. It folded to theSB who just limped.


Dealt to Khanwoman [ Ah, Ac ]
fireblade333 folds.
Mentawaiiii folds.
Kahnefan9888 calls (200)
Khanwoman raises (600) to 1000
Kahnefan9888 folds.


26, 34, 4T, picked a small pot w K5 in the BB and it checked down, then I was dealt KK in the SB and the SS was the BB. I raised enuff so that if he called he would just have to go all in. He had about 400 chips left when he made this CALL, I just dont get it.

Seat 1: Kahnefan9888 (1132)
Seat 4: Khanwoman (10463)
Seat 8: fireblade333 (1292)
Seat 9: Mentawaiiii (7113)
Khanwoman posts small blind (200)
fireblade333 posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Khanwoman [ Kh, Kd ]
Mentawaiiii folds.
Kahnefan9888 folds.
Khanwoman raises (600) to 800
fireblade333 calls (400)
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Qd, Qh, 3d ]
Khanwoman bets (500)
fireblade333 calls (492)
fireblade333 is all-In.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 8c ]
** Dealing River ** : [ Ac ]
Khanwoman balance 11755, bet 1300, collected 2592, net +1292 [ Kh Kd ] [ two pairs, kings and queens -- Ac,Kh,Kd,Qd,Qh ]
fireblade333 balance 0, lost 1292 [ 2h 3h ] [ two pairs, queens and threes -- Ac,Qd,Qh,3h,3d ]


I steal a pot with A7, folded 83, played 78o from the SB and stole the pot on the turn...

Khanwoman posts small blind (200)
Mentawaiiii posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Khanwoman [ 8s, 7d ]
Kahnefan9888 folds.
Khanwoman calls (200)
Mentawaiiii checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Tc, Jh, Kh ]
Khanwoman checks.
Mentawaiiii checks.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 2s ]
Khanwoman bets (400)
Mentawaiiii folds.

Then I lost w the panger and doubled up the short stack. Another thing I wouldnt normally do, but even after I did it, I really felt it was the right thing to do here.

* Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Khanwoman [ 9c, Qc ]
Khanwoman raises (800) to 800
Mentawaiiii folds.
Kahnefan9888 raises (532) to 932
Kahnefan9888 is all-In.
Khanwoman calls (132)
Creating Main Pot with $2064 with Kahnefan9888
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Ks, 4s, 5d ]
** Dealing Turn ** : [ Jc ]
** Dealing River ** : [ 7c ]
Kahnefan9888 balance 2064, bet 932, collected 2064, net +1132 [ 8s Ad ] [ high card ace -- Ad,Ks,Jc,8s,7c ]
Khanwoman balance 11223, lost 932 [ 9c Qc ] [ high card king -- Ks,Qc,Jc,9c,7c ]

Folded K9 and Q7. Felt I should of played the K9. But I made up for it w JQc. Another hand I HATE.

Seat 1: Kahnefan9888 (2664)
Seat 4: Khanwoman (10323)
Seat 9: Mentawaiiii (7013)
Mentawaiiii posts small blind (300)
Kahnefan9888 posts big blind (600)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Khanwoman [ Jc, Qs ]
Khanwoman raises (1500) to 1500
Mentawaiiii folds.
Kahnefan9888 calls (900)
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 7h, Kd, 8h ]
Kahnefan9888 checks.
Khanwoman bets (1000)
Kahnefan9888 folds.


I flopped top pair in the BB with K2 against the SS but he folded. Then the SS went out the next hand to mentawaiiii. I called w A2 hoping to check down but he bet the flop with top pair, and it held up.

So now we are in HU action. I hadnt quite figured out this guy yet so I was playing a little basic at first. So I wont include all the raise fold or sb folds here. TMI I think :)


But for the first 10-20 hands or so, it was raise fold, fold, fold, raise fold, raise fold ETC ETC.
We saw about 2 flops and I folded on both. I was really trying to feel him out and his betting paterns. Before I knew it even tho I had started with a 2 to 1 chip lead we were dead even. No more foolin around.

This hand we both ended up having A5o. Another call I dont normally make, but an adjustment Im trying to make, and I was glad I made it to split the pot.

** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Khanwoman [ 5c, Ad ]
Khanwoman raises (1700) to 2000
Mentawaiiii raises (8018) to 8618
Mentawaiiii is all-In.
Khanwoman calls (6618)
Creating Main Pot with $17236 with Mentawaiiii
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 2h, Kd, Ah ]
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 3d ]
** Dealing River ** : [ 2s ]
** Summary **
Main Pot: 17236 |
Board: [ 2h Kd Ah 3d 2s ]


Through the beginning hands, I was getting the impression that it didnt take him much to bet or raise. And since I had made myself a tight little image in HU play I decided to loosen up quite a bit. Our chips were even, and at one point he even had a 1k chip lead. I got it back with this hand...turned out I didnt need to loosen up :) I really debated with my all in raise here, I wanted all my chips in this pot of course, but I wanted him to call. I finally decided that he pry felt he was on a roll and would call me with and Ace.


Seat 4: Khanwoman (9582)
Seat 9: Mentawaiiii (10418)
Mentawaiiii posts small blind (300)
Khanwoman posts big blind (600)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Khanwoman [ Qd, Qc ]
Mentawaiiii raises (900) to 1200
Khanwoman raises (8982) to 9582
Khanwoman is all-In.
Mentawaiiii calls (8382)
Creating Main Pot with $19164 with Khanwoman
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 3s, 8s, 3d ]
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 2d ]
** Dealing River ** : [ 5d ]
** Summary **
Main Pot: 19164 |
Board: [ 3s 8s 3d 2d 5d ]

Khanwoman balance 19164, bet 9582, collected 19164, net +9582 [ Qd Qc ] [ two pairs, queens and threes -- Qd,Qc,8s,3s,3d ]
Mentawaiiii balance 836, lost 9582 [ Ah 7h ] [ a pair of threes -- Ah,8s,7h,3s,3d ]

I had him down to a little over 1k in chips now. I hardly ever gamble here when I have them so close to nothing. I know that is uncommon, but theres nothing more I hate than to keep doubling him up and giving him a chance. But, I decided to play a little different this time.

First double up


Seat 4: Khanwoman (18864)
Seat 9: Mentawaiiii (1136)
Mentawaiiii posts small blind (300)
Khanwoman posts big blind (600)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Khanwoman [ 6h, 4d ]
Mentawaiiii raises (836) to 1136
Mentawaiiii is all-In.
Khanwoman calls (536)
Creating Main Pot with $2272 with Mentawaiiii
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 7h, 9d, Jc ]
** Dealing Turn ** : [ Ah ]
** Dealing River ** : [ 6c ]
** Summary **
Main Pot: 2272 |
Board: [ 7h 9d Jc Ah 6c ]

Khanwoman balance 17728, lost 1136 [ 6h 4d ] [ a pair of sixes -- Ah,Jc,9d,6h,6c ]
Mentawaiiii balance 2272, bet 1136, collected 2272, net +1136 [ 9s Td ] [ a pair of nines -- Ah,Jc,Td,9s,9d

I folded about 4 hands then got AQ and it was a no brainer. Was just hoping he pushed again.

Seat 4: Khanwoman (16528)
Seat 9: Mentawaiiii (3472)
Mentawaiiii posts small blind (300)
Khanwoman posts big blind (600)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Khanwoman [ As, Qs ]
Mentawaiiii raises (3172) to 3472
Mentawaiiii is all-In.
Khanwoman calls (2872)
Creating Main Pot with $6944 with Mentawaiiii
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Ac, Kc, Ts ]
** Dealing Turn ** : [ Qc ]
** Dealing River ** : [ 2c ]
** Summary **
Main Pot: 6944 |
Board: [ Ac Kc Ts Qc 2c ]

Khanwoman balance 20000, bet 3472, collected 6944, net +3472 [ As Qs ] [ two pairs, aces and queens -- As,Ac,Kc,Qs,Qc ]
Mentawaiiii balance 0, lost 3472 [ 3h 5h ] [ high card ace -- Ac,Kc,Qc,Ts,5h ]

Anyhow, looking over this HH was very good for me. I played WAY WAY out of my box and I was happy about that, especially since it was successful for me. Just another way the forum, and all you low stakes poker pros out there help with my game!!