I was doing some poker reading over lunch and came to a passage where the author of the book was trying to make the point that certain hands – like small suited connectors or KJ – can look attractive but are really very dangerous. His point was that not only do these hands need help on the flop to be playable but even if they do hit they are still very vulnerable on the turn and river. I think he said something like, “sure 7-6 suited has a lot of ways to make a hand, but those hands usually aren’t good enough to win and at the end of the day it’s still just 7 high. When you play cards like that, just what exactly are you hoping for, anyway?” Or something like that.

Anyway, I thought it was a good point. Lots of card combinations can make a hand, but only a few consistently make winning/ hands.

The lovable losers lost, Astros finished a sweep of the Cards, and the Giants blew it in extra innings. Does this seem like a team of destiny, ala The Ohio State University a couple years ago?

Lost Book

The wife and I were unpacking some boxes this weekend and I realized that I am missing a poker book, specifically, my copy of Pot-Limit & No-Limit Poker by Bob Ciaffone and Stuart Reuben. As (almost) all of my stuff is now gone from Canonico’s house, I assume that book simply didn’t make the move and that I have lent it to someone somewhere. Is it possible that someone reading this website might have borrowed it from me? If you do have it, please let me know – I don’t want it back or need it right now, I would just like to know where it is.

And if you haven’t seen it, ignore this post.

Read this hand, and let me know what you would’ve done differenly. I feel like I played it poorly, but can’t seem to figure out how.

***** Hand History for Game 1002425404 *****

0/0 TexasHTGameTable (NL) – Wed Sep 29 17:50:43 EDT 2004

Table Table 14135 (6 max) (Real Money) — Seat 1 is the button

Total number of players : 6

Seat 1: junell ( $53.95) On the button

Seat 2: rollemhigh35 ( $76.95)

Seat 3: hppyjohn ( $40)

Seat 4: KingCoxx ( $153.95)

Seat 5: derbystate ( $92.98)

Seat 6: miker0486 ( $73.30)

rollemhigh35 posts small blind (0.50)

hppyjohn posts big blind (1)

** Dealing down cards **

Dealt to junell [ Ks, Th ] Not bad starting hand on the button

KingCoxx folds.

derbystate folds.

miker0486 folds.

junell calls (1)

rollemhigh35 calls (0.50)

hppyjohn checks. Just me playing against the blinds

** Dealing Flop ** : [ 7h, Kc, Ac ] Hit Middle Pair

rollemhigh35 bets (1)

hppyjohn calls (1)

junell raises (3) to 3 Raise here to figure out where everyone was, and possibly get a free card.

rollemhigh35 folds. Thought so…Bitch

hppyjohn calls (2) Uh oh. Does he have an Ace? Flush/Straight Draw?

** Dealing Turn ** : [ 2s ] That didn’t help him. So there’s a good chance my hand is good (assuming he is on a draw).

hppyjohn checks. Hmmm. More evidence of the draw.

junell bets (7) Let’s see where he is now.

hppyjohn calls (7) Text doesn’t show it, but this was quickly called. He must have that Ace. I’m shutting down because there’s no way he’s going to fold top pair (no matter what kicker he has)

** Dealing River ** : [ 5h ] None of the draws hit.

hppyjohn checks.

junell checks. I didn’t think betting here was a good idea. Either I’m beat, or he ain’t calling. Plus there was little chance I could buy the pot if he did in fact hold an Ace.

** Summary **

Main Pot: $22.80 | Rake: $1.20

Board: [ 7h Kc Ac 2s 5h ]

junell balance $42.95, lost $11 [ Ks Th ] [ a pair of kings -- Ac,Ks,Kc,Th,7h ]

rollemhigh35 balance $74.95, lost $2 (folded)

hppyjohn balance $51.80, bet $11, collected $22.80, net +$11.80 [ 8c Ad ] [ a pair of aces -- Ad,Ac,Kc,8c,7h ]

KingCoxx balance $153.95, didn’t bet (folded)

derbystate balance $92.98, didn’t bet (folded)

miker0486 balance $73.30, didn’t bet (folded)

November 14 is the date for our somewhat annual $100 NL Freezeout. Mark your calander. A website with registration info in under construction and 99% complete. It will be held in Houston again.

The only change in rules is that a bounty will be given to any person that knocks out a former champion, ergo the new name: Tournament of Champions

Fro

Glowing Praise

–Original Message–

From: phreaux

Date: 2004-09-27 22:51

To: info@partypoker.com

Subject: RE:Hand History from PartyPoker.com [#1684215]

I am very happy with your response. Thank you for taking action.

Is it possible that, either out of policy or gratuity, to reimburse me the

pot that I lost? Either out of PP.com’s pocket or directly from the

offender?

I would not mind this being in the form of a deposit bonus tied to a large

number of raked hands.

Thank you

Craig

–Reply–

From: info@partypoker.com

To: phreaux@hotmail.com

Subject: RE:Hand History from PartyPoker.com [#1684215]

Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 23:51:32 -0400 (EDT)

Dear Craig,

We do understand and respect your concern, and agree with the fact that the disconnection in this hand may have put you in a disadvantageous position.

Although certain hands look suspicious, the fact is, that we could never say for sure that a player has disconnected on purpose. We do have records of all players disconnects and details of the hands in which they occur and use this information to make a fair and accurate determination of the players motives. If we find a pattern suggesting that a certain player usually disconnects in key moments of the games where a bet/raise must be called or folded, then we act accordingly by removing that players disconnect protection.

Please keep in mind that a player can and will be legitimately disconnected at times that would look suspicious. If a player demonstrates a pattern of doing this we will remove his protection, even if that player was genuinely experiencing connectivity problems. Removing a players disconnect protection does not necessarily assume that player was maliciously using the system set up, to protect honest players.

The protection is a privilege, and we grant it to players that demonstrate a track record of non suspicious play. It is because of the above listed reasons that cannot, in this case, take any money won away from the player in question and refund players that might have been affected.

However, having said this, we realize the loss you incurred and understand that we are not in a position to accurately determine the outcome of the game had this incident not taken place. I therefore have proceeded to add you the amount of $23 as bonus for making the situation whole again and as a token of our appreciation for reporting this to us and helping us in our efforts to maintain the integrity of the site

If you have any further questions, comments or concerns, please contact us at alerts@partypoker.com and we will be more than glad to assist you.

Regards,

Francis Hamilton,

Investigations Team,

PartyPoker.com

–Reply–

From: phreaux

Date: 2004-09-28 7:52

To: info@partypoker.com

Subject: RE:Hand History from PartyPoker.com [#1684215]

I think that is fair and I thank you. I understand the circumstantial evidence situation you are faced with.

I will put glowing praise of Party Poker on my website for this resolution.