Donkey to Pro Blog

Tournament Dollar Freeroll (Full Tilt):

Overall I think I played this tournament very well even though I made a few mistakes and it ended in heartbreak. Early on I was much more aggressive than usual, stealing some pots and building a decent stack. I lucked into trip 10’s on a flop once and while I was probably a bit too aggressive, I still netted $1,250. I then doubled up against a guy who went all-in with ace rag. I only had K/10 suited but for $500 or so I thought it was worth it. I won and added to my pot. I then lost over half my stack when my pocket 10’s ran into two pair. I had more bad luck when my flush was beaten by one that was one card higher. At this point I was down to under 600 and in serious trouble.

I then stole a few pots to get over 1,000 again and doubled up against a guy who got way to aggressive with ace/8. My sixes were enough to beat him. This got me to 2,270 and I doubled up again soon after. I stupidly called an all-in with just pocket 9’s (my opponent had jacks). Luckily the board gave both of us a straight and we split the pot.

Soon after I milked $2,640 pot out of a player who wasn’t exactly playing well. I then doubled up against an asshole who complained about the player from the previous pot and me when I called his all-in. He did have my hand beat (pocket queens vs. my jacks) but I don’t think it was really a “donk” move (although it wasn’t the smartest move either). Luckily I picked up a straight and doubled up to $5,785. I doubled up again against a guy who raised my large bet to all-in when I had a pair of kings and he just had pocket 10’s. After pocket aces gave me a small pot, I had a nice $13,535 stack (78th out of 747 remaining players) after I thought for sure I was done earlier in the tournament.

Since I normally get passive in the middle and end of tournaments, I decided to be a bit more aggressive this time. I bet big against a player with just a pair of aces. Since he kept calling my bets I assumed he had me beat but I wound up winning and going over the $20k mark. I then doubled up yet again with a pair of aces. At this point I had $42,840 in chips and was ranked #9 of 246 players. I continued to play well, netting $8,625 with pocket queens and over $10k against a guy who was a little too all-in happy.

Unfortunately I completely blew the tournament when I went all-in against the tournament chip leader with two pair, kings and fours. I should have known he had something good when he raised my large bet by over $30,000. I did have two pair, kings and fours but he did too. My jack kicker wasn’t enough to beat his ace and I finished in 78th place (just 51 places away from a small monetary prize). I don’t regret playing the hand aggressively because there weren’t a ton of hands that would have beat mine. I probably should have realized he had something when he raised big but that is something I’ll learn as I become a better player.

National Heads-Up Round 2 (PokerStars):

This tournament was boring and I quickly busted out but it did have one very wacky hand (the one I busted out on). I turned over pocket kings. The guy before me raised to $150 and I obviously called. A few players folded then someone went all-in. Another player followed suit as did the guy who raised to $150 and of course I did as well. We all reveal our hands and my KK not only has to face AA but QQ and JJ as well. Nobody hits anything on the flop, turn, or river and the guy with AA wins. I bust out after only about 10 minutes worth of play.

I have no idea what the odds of a hand like that are but it was definitely the wackiest I’ve seen in the small time I’ve been playing poker.

Newton’s PL 5-Card Draw Freeroll (PokerStars):

Once again I played another 5-card draw freeroll really well before blowing it near the end. Early on I had to contend with a table that only had two players that weren’t sitting out. These tables do allow you to stick in the game for quite awhile and build a small stack but you eventually start to fall way behind the overall leaders. I did win about $500 with a two pair draw (8’s and 10’s). I had a lot of other great hands that aren’t even worth mentioning because they only netted me about $100. I did get a straight draw right off the bat that increased my stack to $2,920.

I also won a battle of full houses with my tens full of deuces beating fours full of jacks for a $2,805 pot. A nut flush built my pot to $6,545 and got me to #247 out of 3,143 players. After finally getting on some better tables, I continued to build in the middle of the tourney. I eventually got up to $10,125 and #221 out of 1,530 before losing a lot of it by being too aggressive after the break. I usually struggle staying aggressive after the hour mark so I wanted to change things but it didn’t work out. This caused me to fall back to about $5,000 in chips but I won it all back and more soon after. I continued to play pretty aggressive throughout the rest of the tourney and eventually busted out when my small straight ran into an ace-high straight. I finished in 574th place (out of 6,000).

Newton’s PL 5-Card Draw Freeroll (PokerStars):

I had the “wonderful” luck of having 4 of my opponents sit out for the first 50 or so hands. This did give me some much needed heads-up practice but when my largest pot was $180, it’s a bit hard to build up a solid stack. After over 2,000 players were eliminated I finally got onto a real table.  There I got a wheel straight flush draw which unfortunately only netted me $750. About ten hands later, I got a full house, threes full of queens for $1,950. I picked up another $1,950 pot with three queens.

Unfortunately, my inability to build a stack early thanks to my inactive opponents caused me to get behind the curve. I basically had to wait to take a shot at doubling up. I lucked into quad fives worth $1,895 but I couldn’t build my stack any further. I took a shot at the wrong time and busted out in 1,221st place (out of 6,000).

National Heads-Up Freeroll Round 2 (PokerStars):

I played in two of these before but was booted early both times. I definitely wanted to improve on those performances this time and I definitely did. The tourney didn’t start well for me though. I ran into a maniac early and had to fold a few decent hands (pocket 7’s the best). I’m never good at playing this type of player since I play very tight and don’t like to call large raises unless I have a hand. I also got the pleasure of being stuck with several players that would go all-in nearly every hand. I’m not exactly sure how they qualified for the second round but I met several of them throughout the tourney.

After having nothing early on at all I finally hit three eights on the flop. Unfortunately, I only had one opponent who didn’t call my bet. I continued to get junk hands as the blinds continued to rise. I eventually had to take a shot with K/10 suited and lucked out when I hit a king and ten on the flop (I had the weakest hand before the flop). I won $2,065 on this hand then doubled up on the very next one. I definitely shouldn’t have won since I ran into a pair of aces against my nines. Luckily, I turned my hand into a full house and doubled up to $5,570. Before this bout of good luck, I had won a whopping one pot (which didn’t even go to a showdown).

After another streak of bad hands, I was able to milk $1,950 out of a player even though it should have been pretty obvious what I had. I didn’t exactly hide the fact that I had a good hand but my opponent called all my bets. This built my stack to $6,500 and put me into the top 100.

Yet again I ran into a long streak of bad hands. I eventually doubled up with two pair, queens and jacks which put me up to $9,880 in chips. Soon after I thought I had a good hand when I flopped a flush. Unfortunately, a fourth hit the board and I had to lay down when the other players went all-in. It was a good thing I did since my 10 and 9 would have placed third to an ace and a king. Pocket kings then helped me double up to $23,460, which put me 14 out of 390. I had to sweat it out though as my opponent only needed one more spade for a flush.

Later on I blew over half my stack calling a guy with pocket jacks (I had top two pair after the flop). I then lucked out when I went all-in with an ace with a lower kicker than my opponent. Luckily the board paired and we split the pot. I lucked out again when I went all-in with ace/queen and my opponent had a pair of 7’s. Luckily, the river brought a queen and allowed me to double up to $28,268. At this point I was #38 out of 191 players.

Even though I was in a good position at this point, I still managed to find a way to blow it like I always do during the middle and end of tournaments. I didn’t play many hands at all and I got aggressive at all the wrong times. Eventually, I tried to double up with a open-ended straight draw but my luck finally came to an end. I finished in 147th place, just 91 places away from a ticket to the final round.

Unfortunately, the tournament didn’t end the way I wanted but I’m still proud of myself since I at least managed to play pretty well in the middle and late stages. Other than two or three hands, I had pretty much nothing to work with either. If it weren’t for a tremendous amount of luck, I wouldn’t have even made it into the top half. Overall, I think this is probably the best I’ve played in a tournament thus far.

National Heads-Up Round 1 (PokerStars):

Since I’m out of round two tickets I tried to win myself another one for next week and I was successful. I started really well getting my first pocket aces of the day early in the tourney. I bled a lot of money from my lone opponent to get up to $2,400 quickly. I then followed that up with a pair of tens which turned into a flush that another player ultimately won.

Other than that my only real loss came when my pocket eights lost out to jacks. Luckily, I got it all back and more when I got a flush while all-in. I then flopped a straight soon after but unfortunately only got one taker when I went all-in. Soon after I got another straight, netting me a $4,000 pot. I also somehow won $1,400 on a flush where four hearts hit the table. Three other players didn’t have a heart and I won it with a low heart. At this point I have $9,645 and am ranked 78th out of 2,357 players. I then doubled up to $17,490 with a pair of sixes that my opponent called with just an ace and a six. The luck continued when I got a full house, aces full of seven and took $10,400 from the stacks of my opponents.

The most boneheaded opponent of the day award goes to someone who kept calling my large bets with just a king/jack and no help until the river. My aces easily beat his pair and I took the $20,550 pot. At this point I have well over $30,000 and am #29 out of 472. I know I’m safe and promptly fold just about every hand until only 200 players remained. This is the fourth ticket I’ve won to the National Heads-Up Round 2.

Hubble’s No Limit Hold’em Freeroll (PokerStars):

Lucked into pocket aces with a lot of opponents on the third hand. Unfortunately two other players had straights and I was quickly eliminated.

Hubble’s No Limit Hold’em Freeroll (PokerStars) Attempt #2:

After countless bad hands, I doubled up to $2,545 with a pair of sevens which turned into a straight. I then managed to milk $1,895 out of three players when I flopped a straight draw. Only managed to get $170 out of pocket aces turned trip aces though. The only other interesting hands were when I doubled up to $5,230 with a whopping ace high then gave most of it right back to the exact same player. Other than that, nothing really happened and I quietly busted out in 1,334th place (out of 9,000).

Pot Limit 5-Card Draw Freeroll (PokerStars):

I know this really isn’t really a skill game but for some reason I’ve become addicted to 5-card draw. I’ve had a great deal of success with it as well. I started very hot on this freeroll hitting two pair (4’s and 7’s) on my second hand and promptly tripling up against two weak hands who had no business going all-in. My fourth hand was also a good one (pairs of Aces and 7’s) and I won another very large pot. At this point I had $7,660 after four hands and ranked #3 out of 5,636 players. I got another two pair right off the bat (this time aces and deuces) soon after. That time it isn’t enough against a straight but thankfully I only lost $170.

No matter how good those hands were my best one of the tournament was when I got a flush right off the bat and pushed my stack to $11,240. I then followed that off with a full house in my next hand. My luck didn’t end after that. A few hands later, I got three sixes right off the bat. Soon after, three eights which turned into a full house. Unfortunately, other than a hand where I had four sixes (I unfortunately could only build the pot to about $1,700 on this one) my luck fell apart in the middle of the tourney. Like I do on nearly all the hold’em tournaments I enter, I started shedding chips quickly in the middle game and had to take a huge risk (which didn’t pay off) near the end. I eventually busted out in 502nd place (out of 6000).

• This week’s remaining players are Phil Gordon, Gabe Kaplan, Cory Zeidman, and David Grey. Phil Hellmuth and Todd Brunson were eliminated. The theme is “Speak Your Mind,” featuring players who love to talk at the poker table.
• Grey (Kh/10h) raises to $4,400 and takes a free pot.
• Gordon (Ah/Kd) limps in, Kaplan (7s/7c) goes all-in. Gordon insta-calls. The flop is Ac/Qd/9d giving Gordon the pair he needed. The turn is 10d and the river is Ad giving Gordon three aces and a flush. Kaplan is eliminated in 4th place.
• Current standings: 1) Gordon-$52k, 2) Grey-$45k, 3) Zeidman-$23k
• Zeidman (Kd/Jd) goes all-in right off the bat but nobody wants to play.
• Zeidman (Ac/3d) calls, Grey (Js/Jd) raises to $6,500. Zeidman lays down.
• Gordon (Qh/Jh) calls, Zeidman (Jd/3d) checks. The flop is Qd/6s/10d giving Gordon a pair of queens and Zeidman a flush draw. Zeidman goes all-in ($21,200) and Gordon calls. The turn is Kd giving Zeidman the winning flush draw.
• Grey (Ad/2c) raises to $6,300, Gordon (Qs/Js) calls. The flop is 5c/2h/10c giving Grey a small pair. Grey bets $20,000 and takes the pot.
• Gordon (Ad/Kc) raises to $4,300 and takes a free pot.
• Zeidman (9d/7d) calls, Grey (6d/5s) checks. The flop is 10c/9s/10d giving Zeidman two pair. Both players check and the turn is Kc. Zeidman bets $3,000 and Grey lays down.
• Grey (10c/8h) limps in, Gordon (Kh/9h) checks. The flop is 2d/8d/Kc giving Gordon a pair of kings and Grey two eights. The turn is 4d, Gordon bets $2,400 and Grey lays down.
• Grey (Kh/Qc) raises to $6,000 but nobody wants to play.
• Zeidman (Qh/9c) raises to $4,700, Grey (Ks/Qc) calls. The flop is 6c/7h/9s giving Zeidman a pair of nines. He bets $6,000 and Grey gets out.
• Current chip count: 1) Zeidman-$50k, 2) Grey-$44k, 3) Gordon-$26k
• Grey (Qs/9d) calls, Gordon (10c/2h) raises to $5,600. Grey gets out.
• Grey (Ah/8s) raises to $5,500, Gordon (Ks/Qc) goes all-in ($27,150). Grey lays down.
• Zeidman (Ah/8h) limps in, Grey (7c/3h) checks. The flop is 10h/6h/4s giving Zeidman a flush draw. The turn is 9c and the players now have a ton of straight and flush draw possibilities. Zeidman bets $4,000 and Grey gives up his hand.
• Grey (Kd/8s) calls, Gordon (Qh/Qc) raises to $5,600. Grey smartly lays down.
• Gordon (Qd/5h) calls, Zeidman (Kd/Qh) checks. The flop is 6d/4c/3c giving Gordon an open-ended straight draw. Both players check and the turn is 9d. Two checks again and the river is Jh. Zeidman has the pot won with king high but Gordon tries to buy the pot with a $2,500 bet. Zeidman raises to $7,000 and Gordon lays down.
• Grey (Ad/4c) raises to $6,000, Gordon (7s/7h) goes all-in. Grey thinks Gordon is picking on him but lays down anyway.
• Zeidman (Jd/6s) raises to $4,600, Grey (Ac/Qc) goes all-in. Zeidman obviously lays down.
• Grey (Qh/8d) calls, Gordon (8c/6h) checks. The flop is 10d/2c/Kd, Gordon bets $2,000 and Grey gets out.
• Gordon (Qd/Jc) calls, Zeidman (Qh/2d) checks. The flop is Ad/Js/2c giving Gordon a pair of jacks and Zeidman two 2’s. Gordon bets $2,000, Zeidman raises to $5,000. Gordon goes all-in and Zeidman lays down.
• Gordon (Jc/10d) raises to $5,000 and everybody lays down.
• Grey (Ad/10s) calls, Gordon (Ac/10c) checks. The flop is Qc/Ah/4c giving both plays a pair of aces and Gordon a flush draw. The turn is Jc giving Gordon his flush. Grey bets $5,000, Gordon calls. The river doesn’t matter but is 3s. Gordon bets $5,000 and Grey calls. Gordon takes the $24,000 pot.
• Grey (Ad/9d) raises to $6,500, Gordon (As/5d) re-raises to $20,000. Zeidman has to fold with pocket sixes. Grey calls, which puts him all-in. The flop is Kc/8d/10c, the turn is Jh, and the river is Js. Gordon wins the $36,900 pot and Grey is eliminated in 3rd place.
• Gordon (Jh/9s) calls, Zeidman (Jd/4s) checks. The flop is 3s/5d/Js giving both players top pair (Gordon has the better kicker). Gordon bets $3,000 and Zeidman raises to $9,000. Gordon goes all-in and Zeidman calls. The turn is Qs and the river is 8s. Gordon wins with a flush and Zeidman is eliminated. Gordon wins the tournament.

• This week’s remaining players are Todd Brunson, Phil Gordon, Gabe Kaplan, Cory Zeidman, and David Grey. Phil Hellmuth was eliminated. The theme is “Speak Your Mind,” featuring players who love to talk at the poker table.
• Brunson (Kc/10d) calls and Gordon (10c/6s) checks. The flop is 9s/7s/5c giving Gordon a gut-shot straight draw. The turn is 8c giving Gordon a straight. He bets $1,000 and Brunson gets out.
• Brunson (7h/6h) raises to $2,200, Kaplan (Qd/3d) calls. The flop is 9s/As/2c, helping neither player. Brunson bets $2,900 and Kaplan folds.
• Kaplan (Ks/4s) calls, Zeidman (10d/7h) checks. The flop is Ad/6h/5h giving Kaplan a pair of fours. He bets $1,700 and takes the pot after Zeidman folds.
• Brunson (Kc/10h) raises to $2,200 and takes a free pot.
• Kaplan (2h/2c) and Grey (Ad/8c) call, Brunson (Kd/Qs) checks. The flop is 5h/4s/9d, all players check. The turn (As) gives Grey a pair of aces. Kaplan bets $2,600, Grey calls but Brunson gets out. The river is 5s, meaning Grey has the best hand. Both players check and Grey takes the $7,600 pot.
• Zeidman (Kd/8d) raises to $2,400 but gets no action.
• Grey (Kh/3h) raises to $2,200 and takes a free pot.
• Gordon (Ad/10h) raises to $2,200 and everybody lays down again.
• Kaplan (10d/9h) raises to $1,900 and Zeidman (Ah/Qc) and Grey (8h/7d) both call. The flop is 3d/5c/6h giving Grey a straight draw. All players check and the turn is 9s. Grey hits his straight while Kaplan gets a pair of nines. Grey bets $2,600 and both opponents lay down.
• Current chip count: 1) Zeidman-$36k, 2) Gordon-$25k, 3) Kaplan-$22k, 4) Grey-$21k, 5) Brunson-$16k. Blinds have been raised to $600/$1200.
• Kaplan (Ah/8h) calls, Zeidman (10d/4s) raises to $4,700. Kaplan lays down.
• Zeidman (8c/7c) and Brunson (Qc/10c) call, Gordon (4h/4c) checks. The flop is 8h/Jh/8s giving Zeidman trip 8’s and Brunson a gut-shot straight draw. The turn is 6c, Zeidman bets $2,500. Both opponents lay down and Zeidman wins again.
• Brunson (Ks/10d) and Gordon (2h/2c) call, Kaplan (7s/6h) checks. The flop is 7c/Ad/3s giving Kaplan the biggest pair. All players check and the turn is 2d giving Gordon a set. Gordon bets $2,000 and Kaplan checks. The river (Kc) doesn’t matter because Kaplan is drawing dead. Gordon bets $4,500, Kaplan lays down.
• Kaplan (Js/9c) raises to $3,600 and everybody lays down.
• Zeidman (As/Js) raises to $3,100, Brunson (Ah/Qd) goes all-in ($10,000). Zeidman calls and is in bad shape. The flop is 4h/6d/Kd helping neither player. The turn (3s) and river (8d) also don’t help and Brunson takes the monster $21,200 pot.
• Zeidman (9s/2s) calls, Grey (Ad/Ac) raises to $3,600. Zeidman wisely lays his hand down.
• Zeidman (10h/9h) and Brunson (5d/2d) call, Gordon (Ad/Kh) raises to $5,200. His opponents get out.
• Brunson (As/Qh) raises to $3,500 but gets no action.
• Kaplan (Ks/Jd) calls, Zeidman (Ks/Jd) checks. The flop is 6c/Qc/7c giving Zeidman a pair of queens. Kaplan bets $2,000, Zeidman raises to $5,500. Kaplan gives up his hand.
• Current standings: 1) Gordon-$36k, 2) Zeidman-$27k, 3) Brunson-$21k, 4) Grey-$20k, 5) Kaplan-$16k
• Zeidman (Ah/7c) raises to $3,100, Gordon goes all-in ($26,800). Zeidman lays down.
• Grey (Kc/10c) raises to $3,500 and takes the pot.
• Kaplan (Kd/8c) raises to $3,600 and takes a free pot.
• Kaplan (Ac/9s) raises to $3,500 and yet again nobody wants to play.
• Zeidman (3d/3c) raises to $3,600 and everybody lays down.
• Zeidman (Ah/8c) raises to $3,600 again, Grey (Js/Jh) goes all-in. Bruson (As/Ks) calls and Zeidman gets out. The flop is 2c/Jc/4d giving Grey a set. The turn is Qh giving Bruson a straight draw. The river is 8s so Grey wins. Brunson is eliminated in 5th place.
• End of the episode.

• This week’s remaining players are Todd Brunson, Phil Gordon, Gabe Kaplan, Cory Zeidman, and David Grey. Phil Hellmuth was eliminated. The theme is “Speak Your Mind,” featuring players who love to talk at the poker table.
• Brunson (As/10s), Gordon (6s/6c), and Kaplan (8h/2s) call, Zeidman (Js/9s) checks. The flop is 9h/7d/Ah giving Brunson a pair of aces and Zeidman two 9’s. Zeidman bets $1,700, Brunson raises to $5,000. The other three players get out and Brunson takes the pot.
• Kaplan (9h/7c) and Zeidman (10c/5c) call, Grey (6s/3c) checks. The flop is 10h/Qc/Ks giving Zeidman a pair of tens. Kaplan bets $1,600 and both opponents get out.
• Zeidman (Ad/Jc) raises to $1,600 and takes a free pot.
• Kaplan (6h/5h) and Brunson (10s/9s) call, Gordon (Ks/Jh) checks. The flop is Kd/3h/9h giving Gordon top pair. Kaplan bets $1,400 with a flush draw, Brunson calls. Gordon raises to $5,400, Kaplan and Brunson get out.
• Gordon (Ac/5s) calls, Kaplan (Qs/8s) raises to $2,500. Gordon gives up and Kaplan takes the small pot.
• Brunson (Qc/Jh), Gordon (Ad/3c), Kaplan (10d/7s), and Zeidman (9h/4d) all get into a hand. The flop is 2d/3h/4s giving Zeidman and Gordon a pair. Gordon bets $2,000 since he also has a wheel draw, Zeidman raises to $6,500 and the other players get out. Gordon considers calling but lays down.
• Current chip count: 1) Gordon-$30k, 2) Zeidman-$30k, 3) Kaplan-$24k, 4) Grey-$19k, 5) Brunson-$17k
• Zeidman (Kd/5d) and Grey (Kc/7d) call, Brunson (Qs/Jh) checks. The flop is 10c/8d/8h, the turn is 2s, and the river is Ac. Nobody bets and Grey and Zeidman split the pot with Ace high (King kicker).
• Zeidman (Ad/3d) calls, Grey (Ac/2c) raises to $2,000. Gordon (Kh/Kc) re-raises to $6,600. Zeidman gets out as does Grey.
• Brunson (Ac/9h) and Gordon (7d/4c) call, Kaplan (Ah/2h) raises to $3,200. The other two players get out and Kaplan takes the small pot.
• Brunson (As/8s) and Kaplan (Ac/4c) call, Zeidman (Qh/6s) raises to $3,800. This raise is big enough to get the other two out.
• Brunson (Jd/9d) raises to $2,100, Grey (10c/9c) calls.The flop is Ah/10h/5s giving Grey middle pair. Brunson bets $2,700 and Grey lays down the best hand.
• Zeidman (Ac/7c) calls, Brunson (10c/6c) checks. The flop is 9s/6s/8s giving both players straight draws and Brunson a small pair. The turn is As giving Zeidman a pair of aces. Zeidman bets $800 and Brunson gets out.
• Zeidman (Kh/Kc) and Brunson (Jd/6h) call, Gordon (6c/3h) checks. The flop is 2s/Js/9s giving Brunson a pair of jacks. The turn is 8h, Zeidman bets $1,600. Brunson calls but Gordon lays down. The river is Qd. Both players check and Zeidman takes the $5,600 pot.
• Current standings: 1) Zeidman-$35k, 2) Gordon-$29k, 3) Kaplan-$26k, 4) Brunson-$16k, 5) Grey-$14k
• Gordon (Js/6s) raises to $2,300, Zeidman (Ah/10c) calls. The flop is 10d/8d/5c giving Zeidman top pair. He bets $5,000 and Gordon lays down.
• Gordon (Ks/4s) raises to $2,200, Grey (Ah/Jd) goes all-in. Gordon lays down.
• Gordon (Kd/Jd) raises to $2,300, Zeidman (9s/9d) calls. The flop is 10h/Ah/6d, both players check. The turn is 4c and once again no action. The river is 10c and Zeidman takes the pot.
• Brunson (Ks/Qc) raises to $2,200, Kaplan (Ad/2c) calls. The flop is 4d/5h/5s helping neither player. The turn (7h) also doesn’t help but the river (3h) gives Kaplan a wheel straight draw. He bets $2,000 but doesn’t get Brunson to bite.
• Grey (9s/9c) and Kaplan (7h/5d) call, Zeidman (Qh/2d) checks. The flop is 6s/Ac/7s giving Kaplan middle pair. He bets $1,800 and Grey calls. The turn is 5s giving Kaplan two pair and Grey a flush draw. The river is 10c, meaning Kaplan has the best hand. He bets $4,400 and Grey lays down.
• Kaplan (Ah/7s) raises to $2,800, Grey (Qs/Qd) re-raises to $8,500. Kaplan smartly lays down.
• Grey (8c/5c) calls, Brunson (Ah/10c) raises to $2,300 (Grey calls). The flop is 7s/As/7d giving Brunson two pair. The turn is Qc, Brunson bets $2,800 and Grey gets out.
• End of the episode.

Six lucky Absolute Poker players will get the chance to party at the Playboy Mansion during their annual Kandy Masquerade event on February 28, 2009. The prize package includes a VIP tour of the mansion lead by a Playboy Bunny, two invitations to the Kandy Masquerade ball, and three night’s hotel accomodation. To win one, all you have to do is finish in the top 30 in one of the free daily satellite tournaments to win a ticket for the weekly round 2. The top 10 of each round 2 match will compete in one of three final round tournaments. The top two in each final round tournament wins one of the $6,500 prize packages.

To get started, head to Absolute Poker’s site.

• This week’s players are Todd Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Gordon, Gabe Kaplan, Cory Zeidman, and David Grey. The theme is “Speak Your Mind,” featuring players who love to talk at the poker table.
• Kaplan (Ac/9h) calls, Grey (7s/7d) raises to $1,500. Kaplan lays down and Grey takes the pot.
• Hellmuth (7h/6c) limps in, Gordon (Ks/9c) raises to $1,400, and Hellmuth gets out.
• Hellmuth (Kd/6c) and Gordon (Kc/Jc) call, Kaplan (Ad/6s) checks. The flop is As/Qd/8d giving Kaplan a pair of aces and Gordon a straight draw. Hellmuth bets $600 and Gordon gets out. Kaplan raises to $1,600 and Hellmuth lays down.
• Hellmuth (Kh/3s) raises to $1,200, Gordon (7s/7c) re-raises to $3,700. Hellmuth folds.
• Current standings: 1) Gordon-$24k, 2) Zeidman-$22k, 3) Brunson-$22k, 4) Kaplan-$20k, 5) Grey-$19k, 6) Hellmuth-$13k
• Hellmuth (Qs/5s) and Kaplan (9d/9c) call, Zeidman (Ad/4h) raises to $1,600. Hellmuth gets out but Kaplan calls. The flop is Kh/5c/7h, both players check. The turn is Ah giving Zeidman the pair he was seeking as well as a flush draw. The river (6d) helps neither player. Zeidman bets $1,800 and Kaplan lays down.
• Brunson (Qd/Js) raises to $1,200 and takes the pot with no competition.
• Hellmuth (Ad/5c) raises to $1,100, Gordon (Kh/8c) calls. The flop is 10c/Ac/9c giving Hellmuth a pair of aces and both players a flush draw (Gordon’s would be better). The turn is 6s, Hellmuth bets $1,500 and Gordon gets out.
• Hellmuth (Kc/5d) and Gordon (8c/6d) call, Kaplan (Jc/7h) checks. The flop is 4c/2s/9c, nobody bets. The turn is 9s, Gordon bets $700. Kaplan re-raises to $2,300 which gets both opponents out.
• Gordon (Kh/10s) raises to $1,200 but gets no takers.
• Kaplan (Ad/2s) raises to $900 and takes the pot.
• Gordon (Ah/Kd) raises to $1,200, Kaplan (Qh/Qc) re-raises to $6,200. Brunson (Jh/Jd) considers but folds. Gordon goes all-in and Kaplan lays down.
• Zeidman (As/10d) calls, Grey (Js/Jc) raises to $1,500. Brunson (Ah/Kd) calls and Zeidman gets out. The flop is Jd/9h/Kc giving Grey a set and Brunson a second king. Grey bets $2,200 and Brunson calls. The turn is Qs giving Brunson a possible straight. Grey bets $5,000 and Brunson lays down.
• Hellmuth (6h/5h) calls, Gordon (Jh/3c) checks. The flop is 3s/Kd/10s giving Gordon a small pair. The turn is 9d. Hellmuth bets $900 and Gordon quickly folds the best hand.
• Zeidman (Jd/10d) calls, Gordon (Ah/Kh) raises to $2,600. Zeidman calls. The flop is 4h/3s/Ks giving Gordon a pair of kings. He bets $3,500 and Zeidman gets out.
• Grey (Kh/Kd) raises to $1,200 but gets no action.
• Brunson (Ah/4h) raises to $1,800 and takes the pot.
• Current chip count: 1) Gordon-$32k, 2) Grey-$22k, 3) Zeidman-$22k, 4) Brunson-$18k, 5) Kaplan-$13k, 6) Hellmuth-$13k
• Kaplan (Ad/9c) raies to $1,400, Hellmuth (Kh/Jh) calls. The flop is 9h/6c/Jd giving both players a pair. Kaplan bets $2,400 and Hellmuth calls. The turn is As giving Kaplan a second pair. He bets $4,300 and Hellmuth calls. The river is 5d, of no help to Hellmuth. Kaplan bets $4,900, enough to put Hellmuth all-in. Hellmuth calls and busts out in sixth place.
• Kaplan (5h/5c) and Grey (9h/2h) call, Brunson (Ad/9c) checks. The flop is 10c/5s/10h giving Kaplan a full house. The turn (8h) doesn’t help. Kaplan bets $1,200 and both opponents get out.
• Zeidman (4d/4c) raises to $1,700 and Gordon (Ah/3h) is the only one to call. The flop (6d/9c/8h) is of no help to either player. The turn is Ks and the river 3c (giving Gordon a pair). Gordon bets $800, Zeidman calls and takes a small pot.
• End of the episode.

• This week’s players are Todd Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Gordon, Gabe Kaplan, Cory Zeidman, and David Grey. The theme is “Speak Your Mind,” featuring players who love to talk at the poker table.
• Hellmuth (10h/8h) raises to $500, Kaplan (3s/3h) and Zeidman (Ah/Jc) call. The flop is 7h/6s/Jd giving Hellmuth a straight draw and Zeidman a pair of jacks. Kaplan bets $1,500 and Zeidman raises to $5,000. Kaplan gives up his hand.
• Zeidman (Qs/7s) raises to $600 and takes a freebie pot.
• After only two hands, a small argument breaks out between Hellmuth and Zeidman. Hellmuth has never heard of Zeidman.
• Brunson (Kh/7c) calls and Hellmuth (10d/8d) checks. The flop is 4s/7s/9c giving Brunson a pair and Hellmuth a straight draw. Brunson bets $300 and Hellmuth raises to $800 (Brunson calls). The turn (6s) gives Hellmuth a straight. A fourth spade (2s) hits the river and neither player bets. Hellmuth takes the $2,000 pot.
• Kaplan (Js/9s) and Hellmuth (9h/3s) call and Gordon (As/Qc) checks. The flop is Kc/6c/10c giving Gordon a flush draw and a gut-shot straight draw. Kaplan bets $400 and both Hellmuth and Gordon (why?) get out.
• Brunson (Qh/Jh) raises to $600, Gordon (6h/6c) calls. The flop is 2s/8d/As helping neither player. Brunson bets $800 and Gordon gives up.
• Gordon (8c/5c) raises to $600, Kaplan (8h/7h) and Zeidman (As/4s) call. The flop is Kd/3c/Ah giving Zeidman a pair of aces. He bets $1,200 and both players lay down.
• Zeidman (Ad/4c) calls and Grey (Qc/6s) checks. The flop is 8d/Ac/Kc giving Zeidman another pair of aces. The turn is As giving Zeidman trip aces. The river is 5d. Zeidman bets $400 and Grey lays down.
• Hellmuth (Ad/8c) raises to $700, all other players get out.
• Brunson (Jd/10h) buys a pot with his $600 raise.
• Zeidman (Ac/10s) raises to $700 and takes a freebie.
• Hellmuth (Ac/Jc) raises to $500 but gets no action.
• Hellmuth (Qs/Js) raises to $600, Gordon (Ah/9d) re-raises to $1,700 (Hellmuth calls). The flop is Qd/3s/5c giving Hellmuth a pair of queens. Gordon bets $1,600 and Hellmuth calls. The turn (2c) doesn’t help but the river (Ad) gives Gordon the winning pair. He bets $1,600 and Hellmuth calls. Gordon takes the $10,250 pot.
• Current chip count: 1) Zeidman-$24k, 2) Gordon-$24k, 3) Brunson-$20k, 4) Grey-$19k, 5) Kaplan-$17k, 6) Hellmuth-$16k
• Kaplan (Ad/10c) raises to $700 but nobody wants to play.
• Hellmuth (Js/7s) raises to $700 and takes a free pot.
• Kaplan (Qs/9s) raises to $800, Grey (4h/4c) re-raises to $2,800. Kaplan gives his hand up.
• Hellmuth (Qc/3s) calls and Gordon (9h/6h) checks. The flop is 9s/7s/Qs giving Gordon a pair and Hellmuth a flush draw and a pair of queens. Hellmuth bets $500 and Gordon calls. The turn is Ac, Hellmuth raises to $1,300. Gordon gets out.
• Brunson (Qc/10c) raises to $900 and the other players lay down.
• Hellmuth (Js/9d) raises to $900 and yet again nobody wants to play.
• Brunson (Ks/Qd) raises to $900, Hellmuth (3s/3d) calls. The flop is 5h/2c/Kc giving Brunson a pair of kings. He bets $1,500 and Hellmuth gets out.
• Grey (4d/2d) calls, Brunson (7c/6d) checks. The flop is 6s/10c/As giving Brunson a pair. He bets $350 and takes the pot.
• Grey (Ah/3d) raies to $800, Hellmuth (Ad/10c) is the only one to call. The flop is 6c/3c/Qd giving Grey a pair. He bets $1,200 and Hellmuth folds.
• Brunson (Ad/5d) raises to $1,200 and takes the pot.
• Hellmuth (Kh/9c) raises to $1,100, Kaplan (Ad/8s) calls. The flop is 3h/5h/Jh giving Hellmuth a flush draw. Both players check and the turn is 10c. The river is 2c. Both players check and Kaplan wins $2,400.
• Grey (Ac/6c) raises to $1,200, Hellmuth (6h/6d) calls. The flop is 7h/Qs/9d. Hellmuth bets $1,200 and Grey gets out.
• Kaplan (7d/5d) raises to $1,100, Grey (Qc/9h) calls. The flop is 7s/3h/4c giving Kaplan a pair. He bets $2,000 and Grey folds.
• End of the episode.