Presto is Gold (Part 84)

Full Tilt, $2/4NL, 6-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 raises to $12 from UTG with [5d 5s]
Victim calls $12 from the button

*** FLOP *** [Qc 9h 4s]
Fuel55 checks
Victim checks

*** TURN *** [Qc 9h 4s] [7c]
Fuel55 checks
Victim has 15 seconds left to act
Victim checks (pretty sure he a pair less than Q now)

*** RIVER *** [Qc 9h 4s 7c] [5c]
Fuel55 bets $12
Victim calls $12

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5d 5s] three of a kind, Fives
Victim mucks [6h 6c]
Fuel55 wins the pot ($51.30) with three of a kind, Fives

Presto is Gold (Part 83)

Here's a little "guest presto love" for your reading pleasure:

PokerStars $1/2NL, 6-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
UTG calls $2
SB calls $1
csquard checks his BB with [5s 5d] (how you check with Presto here is beyond me!)

Craig lays down the ultimate preflop deception by just checking his monster preflop.

*** FLOP *** [5c 5h 2c]
SB bets $5
csquard calls $5
UTG folds

*** TURN *** [5c 5h 2c] [Jh]
SB bets $12
csquard raises $12 to $24 (pot sweetener)
SB reraises $26 to $50
csquard rereraises $26 to $76 (another pot sweetener)
SB rerereraises $149 to $225 and is all-in (he takes the bait)
csquard calls $111 and is all-in

*** RIVER *** [5c 5h 2c Jh] [4h]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
SB shows [2h 2d] (a full house, Deuces full of Fives) (ouch – nice cooler!)
csquard shows [5s 5d] (four of a kind, Fives)
csquard collected $387 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 82)

Mondays at the Hoy

*** HOLE CARDS ***
swimmom95 folds
BJ316 folds
Fuel55 raises to 125 from MP with [5s 5h]
wormmsu folds
Astin calls 125
IslandBum1 folds
Mike_Maloney folds
stevenwe folds
Julius_Goat calls 85

*** FLOP *** [Tc 3c 4s]
Julius_Goat checks
Fuel55 bets 40
Astin calls 40
Julius_Goat folds

*** TURN *** [Tc 3c 4s] [5c]
Fuel55 bets 155
Astin raises to 600
Fuel55: beware the 5 on the turn (manipulation 101)
Fuel55 has 15 seconds left to act
Fuel55 calls 445

*** RIVER *** [Tc 3c 4s 5c] [8s]
Fuel55 bets 55
Astin calls 55

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5s 5h] three of a kind, Fives
Astin mucks [Ah Jd] (nice hand fishcakes!)
Fuel55 wins the pot (1,785) with three of a kind, Fives

Presto is Gold (Part 81)

It's been so long!!!!!!

$105 HU SNG, Hand #15

I have a T120 chip lead when I am dealt presto, then the magic begins:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 calls 15 from button with [5s 5c]
Victim raises 90 to 120 (ah the trap is set)
Fuel55 calls 90 (slowwwwww call)

*** FLOP *** [7s 4h Ts]
Victim bets 90
Fuel55 calls 90 (easy call – I have presto!)

*** TURN *** [7s 4h Ts] [5d] (was there ever any doubt?)
Victim checks
Fuel55 bets 225
Victim raises 285 to 510
Fuel55 raises 840 to 1350 and is all-in
Victim calls 720 and is all-in (horrible call)

*** RIVER *** [7s 4h Ts 5d] [7h]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Victim shows [Tc 9h] (two pair, Tens and Sevens) (lol – like TP no kicker is ever good here)
Fuel55 shows [5s 5c] (a full house, Fives full of Sevens)
Fuel55 collected 2880 from pot
Victim stands up (and shakes his head)

Presto is Gold (Part 80)

Hand from a $50 SNG, 5 remain:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 folds [2d 8c]
Other two players fold
SB raises 50 to 100
BB calls 50

*** FLOP *** [5s 5d 9s]
SB checks
BB checks

*** TURN *** [5s 5d 9s] [7h]
SB checks
BB bets 100
SB calls 100

*** RIVER *** [5s 5d 9s 7h] [8h]
SB bets 250
BB calls 250

*** SHOW DOWN ***
SB shows [5h 5c] (four of a kind, Fives)
BB mucks hand (sorry - I didn't notice what he had)
SB collected 900 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 79)

Well I ultimately blew myself up again on FullTilt.

I have been playing very little but in the last couple of days I have caught a few breaks and been on the plus-side of a few coolers/setups.

This hand is the first decent presto hand in some time:

$2/$4NL, 7-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Poster 1 checks
Poster 2 checks
Button raises to $16
Fuel55 calls $14 from SB with [5d 5c]
BB calls $12
Poster 1 folds
Poster 2 folds

*** FLOP *** [9d 9c 5h]
Fuel55 checks (time to check my boat and see if someone has an overpair)
BB checks
Button checks

*** TURN *** [9d 9c 5h] [Ah]
Fuel55 checks (ok time to check again and see if someone has an ace)
BB bets $20
Button folds
Fuel55 raises to $84 (let's see if that really is an ace)
BB has 15 seconds left to act
BB calls $64

*** RIVER *** [9d 9c 5h Ah] [Kh]
Fuel55 bets $112 (best amount for value?? - please have AK!)
BB has 15 seconds left to act
BB calls $112

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5d 5c] a full house, Fives full of Nines
BB mucks mucked [Qh Ac] - two pair, Aces and Nines
Fuel55 wins the pot ($445) with a full house, Fives full of Nines

Presto Not So Good (Part 4)

So after getting my $522 up to $731 in 30 minutes I moved up to $2/4NL, 6-max and quickly lost a buy-in with QQ vs AQ on an AAQ flop. Then had to fold JJ on an A-high flop. This put me down to $319 so back to the headsup SNGs I went where I proved once again that using Presto against me is pure folly.

PokerStars, $52.50+$2.50 HU SNG

First Hand:

Seat 1: Superaxel (1500 in chips)
Seat 2: Fuel55 (1500 in chips)
Superaxel posts small blind 15
Fuel55 posts big blind 30

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Superaxel calls 15
Fuel55 raises 60 to 90 with [7h 7d]
Superaxel calls 60

*** FLOP *** [2c 3s 7c]
Fuel55 checks
Superaxel bets 30
Fuel55 raises 90 to 120
Superaxel raises 90 to 210
Fuel55 raises 120 to 330
Superaxel raises 120 to 450
Fuel55 raises 240 to 690
Superaxel raises 240 to 930
Fuel55 raises 480 to 1410 and is all-in
Superaxel calls 480 and is all-in

*** TURN *** [2c 3s 7c] [9s]

*** RIVER *** [2c 3s 7c 9s] [5h]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [7h 7d] (three of a kind, Sevens)
Superaxel shows [5d 5c] (three of a kind, Fives) (are you kidding me? I figured a flush or str8 draw ..)
Fuel55 collected 3000 from pot

Dear Fuel55,

You finished the tournament in 1st place.
A $105.00 award has been credited to your Real Money account.

Congratulations!
Thank you for participating.

Checking Superaxel out on Sharkscope made all the sense in the world:

Presto is Gold (Part 78)

Sorry for the lack of posts but I have been running so bad I can't bear to write anything. I am down 17 buy-ins at $10/20 and down and have decided to play off a few thousand hands at $2/4 and $3/6 to burn off the bad karma. Here is Presto once again proving its manhood and giving me a ray of hope that all may be turning soon:

$2/$4NL, 6-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
UTG raises to $12
Fuel55 calls $12 from UTG+1 with [5d 5h]
MP1 calls $12
MP2 calls $12
BB raises to $66.30, and is all in
UTG calls $54.30
Fuel55 calls $54.30 (not folding now)
MP1 calls $54.30
MP2 folds

*** FLOP *** [Jh 8h 2d]
UTG checks
Fuel55 checks
MP1 checks

*** TURN *** [Jh 8h 2d] [3d]
UTG bets $27, and is all in
Fuel55 calls $27
MP1 calls $27

*** RIVER *** [Jh 8h 2d 3d] [6s]
Fuel55 checks
MP1 checks

*** SHOW DOWN ***
UTG shows [Ad Qh] Ace Queen high
Fuel55 shows [5d 5h] a pair of Fives
MP1 mucks [Qd Ks] - King Queen high
Fuel55 wins the side pot ($81) with a pair of Fives
BB mucks [Ts Qc] - Queen Jack high
Fuel55 wins the main pot ($276.20) with a pair of Fives

Presto is Gold (Part 77)

$2/4NL, 9-handed donkey game

*** HOLE CARDS ***
UTG calls $4
MP calls $4
Fuel55 raises $8 to $12 with [5c 5s]
ShoveMonkey raises $152 to $164 and is all-in
UTG folds
MP folds
Fuel55 calls $152 (I was sick of this idiot who’s only move is jam or fold – I figure 55 takes him down 90% of the time)

*** FLOP *** [Qd 3h As]

*** TURN *** [Qd 3h As] [6s]

*** RIVER *** [Qd 3h As 6s] [5d]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5c 5s] (three of a kind, Fives)
ShoveMonkey mucks hand [Js Jc]
Fuel55 collected $333 from pot

Take that ShoveMonkey!

Presto is Gold (Part 76)

$2/4NL, 9-handed donkey game

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 raises $8 to $12 from MP with [5h 5c]
SB calls $10
BB raises $36 to $48
Fuel55 calls $36 (not folding Presto in what could be a 3-way pot)
SB calls $36

*** FLOP *** [2s Jh 7d]
SB checks
BB bets $47.20 and is all-in (he is short and is pushing anything)
Fuel55 calls $47.20
SB calls $47.20

*** TURN *** [2s Jh 7d] [5d] (As always, gin !!!)
SB checks
Fuel55 bets $144
SB folds

*** RIVER *** [2s Jh 7d 5d] [9s]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
BB shows [Kc Kh] (a pair of Kings)
Fuel55 shows [5h 5c] (three of a kind, Fives)
Fuel55 collected $282.60 from pot

Just play it with impunity ...

Presto is Gold (Part 75)

$10/20NL, 5-handed, ULTRAaggressive table

*** HOLE CARDS ***
UTG raises $60 to $80
MP calls $80
Fuel55 calls $80 from the button with [5h 5s]

*** FLOP *** [5d Qd Th]
UTG bets $180
MP raises $260 to $440 (and leaves $4125 behind)
Fuel55 reraises $3328 to $3768 and is all-in (this is a disgusting board but I am willing to take a presto set to the felt here)
UTG folds
MP folds
Fuel55 collected $1328 from pot
Fuel55 shows [5h 5s] (three of a kind, Fives)

First Pot Over $10,000

[With added commentary]

$25/50NL, 9-handed: While this is always an aggressive game this group is particularly aggressive today.

*** HOLE CARDS ***
EP raises $100 to $150
Fuel55 calls $150 from MP with [Kh Ah] (I overcall here to induce a squeeze)
SB raises $550 to $700 (SB is the notorious squeezer Grimstarr so I give him little credit for a hand)
BB raises $1569 to $2269 and is all-in (BB knows Grimstarr is a squeezer)
EP folds
Fuel55 raises $1525 to $3794 and is all-in (AKs in a 3-way all-in? Let's gambool!)

My first instincts are that I probably have the best hand and by reraising maybe SB will fold if he was squeezing with trash.

SB calls $3094

*** FLOP *** [Th 2h 7d]

*** TURN *** [Th 2h 7d] [3c]

*** RIVER *** [Th 2h 7d 3c] [Jh] (GIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

*** SHOW DOWN ***
SB shows [Kc Ac] (high card Ace)
Fuel55 shows [Kh Ah] (a flush, Ace high)
Fuel55 collected $3050 from side pot
BB mucks hand [Qd Qs]
Fuel55 collected $6954 from main pot

That would be $10,004 in total ...

Much to my surprise both of my opponents had legitimate hands. This does indeed happen sometimes but in $25/50NL it is almost as likely that SB and BB had T9s and 77.

The Jh is clearly the sweetest card in the deck!!!!!!!!!!!!

Presto is Gold (Part 74)

$10/20, 6-handed:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
UTG raises $40 to $60
Fuel55 calls $60 from MP with [5s 5d]
CO calls $60

*** FLOP *** [6h 2s 9c]
UTG checks
Fuel55 checks
CO bets $40
UTG folds
Fuel55 calls $40

*** TURN *** [6h 2s 9c] [Kh]
Fuel55 checks
CO checks

*** RIVER *** [6h 2s 9c Kh] [5h]
Fuel55 bets $80
CO calls $80

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5s 5d] (three of a kind, Fives)
CO mucks hand [3s 3d]
Fuel55 collected $447 from pot

Pretty standard stuff ...

Presto is Gold (Part 73)

$10/20NL, 6-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
UTG raises $40 to $60
Fuel55 calls $60 from UTG+1 with [5s 5h]

*** FLOP *** [Qs 7s 3h]
UTG bets $120
Fuel55 calls $120 (I float with 55 here given my history of turning a 5)

*** TURN *** [Qs 7s 3h] [6h]
UTG checks
Fuel55 checks (crap no 5 – what’s going on here?)

*** RIVER *** [Qs 7s 3h 6h] [4h]
UTG checks
Fuel55 bets $140 (value bet my str8 since there is no way he has a flush here)
UTG calls $140 (thank you sir)

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5s 5h] (a straight, Three to Seven)
UTG mucks hand [Th Tc]
Fuel55 collected $667 from pot

Presto works in mysterious ways sometimes ...

Presto is Gold (Part 72)

This hand, my friends, is just phenomenal poker.

Poker After Dark, 4-handed, blinds T150/300.

David Benyamine folds
Patrik Antonius raises to T900 on the button with A3s
Marco Traniello calls from the SB with JTo
Brad Booth calls from the BB with 55

Flop comes A6J rainbow.

Marco Traniello leads for T1500
Brad Booth raises to T4000
Patrik Antonius folds his marginal ace (i.e., the best hand)

Now this is where it gets interesting.

Brad has Marco covered and Marco has 2nd pair. He can't call here, so he must fold or raise. Desperate for chips and praying that Brad doesn't have 2 pair or a set Marco reraises to T11000. Brad instantly grabs four bundles of $5000 and puts Marco all in. Brad knows that he can't call either so he must raise or fold. Since he was the initial raiser (and he holds Presto and he has previously shown the ability to flat call with monster hands preflop) he makes the correct move and puts Marco all-in knowing that he needs a set to call.

Marco folds and Brad rakes a monster pot with the worst hand of the three players.

This is poker at the highest level.

Presto is Gold (Part 71)

Even unimproved presto is gold ...

$10/20NL, 6-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Victim raises $60 to $80 from MP
Fuel55 smooth calls $60 from the BB with [5s 5d]

*** FLOP *** [4d Th 4h]
Fuel55 bets $100
Victim calls $100

*** TURN *** [4d Th 4h] [Jh]
Fuel55 checks
Victim checks (smells like AK)

*** RIVER *** [4d Th 4h Jh] [4s]
Fuel55 bets $20 (blocker bet)
Victim calls $20

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5s 5d] (a full house, Fours full of Fives)
Victim mucks hand [Qc Ad] (Standard …)
Fuel55 collected $407 from pot

Defining Your Hand TOO Much

Beginning players moving up are often desperate NOT to lose pots with big preflop hands. As such they tend to overraise AA, KK, QQ, AK.

Since you pretty much know what they have in these situations and they are generally willing to take it to the felt I will call their reraises with a fairly wide range - any pair, any decent suited connector but NOT any ace, king or queen since your domination risk is too high.

Here is a typical example from $5/10NL, 9-handed:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
MP raises $20 to $30
Fuel55 calls $30 from CO with [7s 7c]
SB raises $110 to $140 (overbet to isolate)
MP calls $110
Fuel55 calls $110 (set mining with deep stacks in a 3-way pot in which I have position)

*** FLOP *** [7d 6d Jd] (not a pretty flop with 3 diamonds but I like that 7)
SB bets $199 (bet max chips to scare me off)
MP folds
Fuel55 calls $199 (take a card without raising to hopefully fade another diamond)

*** TURN *** [7d 6d Jd] [4c] (no diamond - at this point, I am going to the felt)
SB bets $500 (desperation bet –surely AA or KK with a diamond)
Fuel55 raises $500 to $1000
SB calls $388.30 and is all-in

*** RIVER *** [7d 6d Jd 4c] [Th]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
SB shows [Kc Ks] (a pair of Kings) (lose a 260BB pot with one pair and no diamond)
Fuel55 shows [7s 7c] (three of a kind, Sevens)
Fuel55 collected $2596.60 from pot

Pretty standard stuff.

Presto is Gold (Parts 69 & 70)

While you are waiting for my WPBT and WSOP reports here is a little presto magic ...

$5/10NL, 6-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
EP raises $30 to $40
MP calls $40
Fuel55 calls $40 from CO with [5c 5s]

*** FLOP *** [9s 5d 3h]
EP checks
MP checks
Fuel55 checks

*** TURN *** [9s 5d 3h] [Jd]
EP checks
MP checks
Fuel55 bets $70
EP folds
MP folds
Fuel55 collected $132 from pot


*** HOLE CARDS ***
MP raises $30 to $40
Fuel55 calls $40 from button with [5d 5s]

*** FLOP *** [Ad 4s 2h]
MP checks
Fuel55 checks

*** TURN *** [Ad 4s 2h] [2d]
MP bets $60
Fuel55 calls $60

*** RIVER *** [Ad 4s 2h 2d] [5h]
MP bets $140
Fuel55 raises $240 to $380
MP calls $240

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5d 5s] (a full house, Fives full of Deuces)
MP mucks hand [Ah Jc] (nice jackace spewage ...)
Fuel55 collected $972 from pot

Biggest Pot I Have Ever Won With Aces

$25/50NL, 7-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Button raises $100 to $150
Fuel55 reraises $300 to $450 from SB with [Ac Ad]
Button rereraises $2741 to $3191 and is all-in
Fuel55 instacalls $2741

*** FLOP *** [9s 3s Ts] (all fawking spades and I don't have As)

*** TURN *** [9s 3s Ts] [Jd]

*** RIVER *** [9s 3s Ts Jd] [9h]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [Ac Ad] (two pair, Aces and Nines)
Button mucks hand [As Qh] (He had As too ...)
Fuel55 collected $6429 from pot

For once I win a big pot with AA.

Thanx for spewing your stack with AQo dude ...

Fold of The Week

$25/50NL, 7-handed, I have EP covered and SB has me covered:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
EP raises $50 to $100
Fuel55 reraises $200 to $300 with [Ts Td] from CO
SB rereraises $665 to $965
EP rerereraises $1132.20 to $2097.20 and is all-in
Fuel55 folds
SB calls $1132.20

*** FLOP *** [Kc 5c Jh]

*** TURN *** [Kc 5c Jh] [7h]

*** RIVER *** [Kc 5c Jh 7h] [Th]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
SB shows [As Ks] (a pair of Kings)
EP shows [Kh Kd] (three of a kind, Kings)
EP collected $4541.40 from pot

Avoided a nice set over set disaster although I would have beat SB's AK and recouped about 55% of my loss to EP. Typical Riverstars setup hand.

Presto is Gold (Part 68)

I like betting my sets out of position and then checkraising the turn:

$5/10NL, 6-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
jucifer raises $30 to $40 from EP
Fuel55 calls $35 from MP with [5s 5d]

*** FLOP *** [4h Ks 5h]
Fuel55 bets $60 (lead out my flopped set)
jucifer calls $60

*** TURN *** [4h Ks 5h] [Td]
Fuel55 checks (make flop bet seem like a c-bet)
jucifer bets $100 (induce a bet)
Fuel55 raises $270 to $370 (apply pressure)
jucifer folds (avoid a showdown on a coordinated board)
Fuel55 collected $408 from pot

Lots of players would call here with top pair but jucifer is a smart player and safely folds.

Presto is Gold for ME not YOU

When will they ever learn?

$3/6NL, 9-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
UTG+1 calls $6
Victim calls $6 from MP
CO-1 calls $6
CO (who posts) checks
Button calls $6
Fuel55 calls $3 from SB with [4s 6s]
BB checks

*** FLOP *** [5s Qd 3c]
Fuel55 bets $30
BB folds
UTG+1 calls $30
Victim raises $72 to $102
CO-1 folds
CO (who posts) folds
Button folds
Fuel55 calls $72 (about 3:1)
UTG+1 folds

*** TURN *** [5s Qd 3c] [7c]
Fuel55 bets $114
Victim calls $114

*** RIVER *** [5s Qd 3c 7c] [Td]
Fuel55 bets $390
Victim calls $390

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [4s 6s] (a straight, Three to Seven)
Victim mucks hand [5h 5d] (silly rabbit ...)
Fuel55 collected $1281 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 67) and Inducing Needless Aggression

Here are two hands where I overplayed presto and then played aces identically a loop later and got paid in full because of it.

$3/6NL, 5-handed

Hand 1:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
NoYouWont raises $12 to $18 from CO
Fuel55 reraises $30 to $48 from button with [5s 5c]
NoYouWont calls $30

*** FLOP *** [Ac 6d Qc]
NoYouWont checks
Fuel55 checks

*** TURN *** [Ac 6d Qc] [3s]
NoYouWont checks
Fuel55 bets $18
NoYouWont calls $18

*** RIVER *** [Ac 6d Qc 3s] [3h]
NoYouWont checks
Fuel55 checks

*** SHOW DOWN ***
NoYouWont shows [Ks Tc] (a pair of Threes)
Fuel55 shows [5s 5c] (two pair, Fives and Threes)
Fuel55 collected $130 from pot

And then a loop later the previous reraise with 55 in position pays off handsomely:

Hand 2:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
NoYouWont raises $18 to $24 from CO
Fuel55 reraises $42 to $66 from the button with [Ad Ah] (identical play as with 55 in previous loop)
NoYouWont rereraises $472 to $538 and is all-in (tilt push?)
Fuel55 instacalls $472

*** FLOP *** [5c Jd 2s]

*** TURN *** [5c Jd 2s] [5d]

*** RIVER *** [5c Jd 2s 5d] [Jh]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
NoYouWont shows [As Kh] (two pair, Jacks and Fives)
Fuel55 shows [Ad Ah] (two pair, Aces and Jacks)
Fuel55 collected $1083 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 66)

Here is an interesting set of hands that maximize value from the metagame. I am playing two tables simultaneously. Both tables are 9-handed $3/6NL and many of the players are the same on both.

This is the preamble hand on table 1:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 raises $12 to $18 from EP with [8c 8d]
MP1 calls $18
MP2 calls $18
Victim raises $72 to $90 from the button
Fuel55 calls $72 (not sure if he is squeezing or has a hand)
MP1 folds
MP2 folds

*** FLOP *** [4s 3h 5c]
Fuel55 checks
Victim bets $1147.85 and is all-in (this reeks of AK, AQ, AJ)
Fuel55 calls $866.40 and is all-in (not an easy call but I have to assume I am 3:1 favorite)

*** TURN *** [4s 3h 5c] [Jd]

*** RIVER *** [4s 3h 5c Jd] [Th]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [8c 8d] (a pair of Eights)
Victim mucks hand [As Qd] (as expected)
Fuel55 collected $1954.80 from pot

Then about 30 seconds later on table 2, I get into a pot again with the same guy who was the victim above:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
MP raises $6 to $12
Victim raises $30 to $42 from button
Fuel55 calls $39 from SB with [5s 5h] (set mining 101)
MP folds

*** FLOP *** [5d Tc Kh]
Fuel55 checks
Victim bets $78
Fuel55 raises $126 to $204 (I know he is steaming from the hand on the other table so I give him a chance to stack off)
Victim raises $478.35 to $682.35 and is all-in (on queue)
Fuel55 calls $424.35 and is all-in

*** TURN *** [5d Tc Kh] [Kd]

*** RIVER *** [5d Tc Kh Kd] [Qc]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5s 5h] (a full house, Fives full of Kings)
Victim mucks hand [Kc Ad]
Fuel55 collected $1355.70 from pot

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee !! And that kids is how you make serious profit in retardly donktastic $3/6NL on PokerStars.

Presto is Gold (Part 65)

An interesting variation on the theme ...

$25/50NL, 7-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55: calls $50 from UTG with [5h 5s]
SB calls $25
BB checks

*** FLOP *** [8d Qc 6s]
SB checks
BB checks
Fuel55 checks

*** TURN *** [8d Qc 6s] [7h]
SB bets $120
BB folds
Fuel55 calls $120

*** RIVER *** [8d Qc 6s 7h] [9c]
SB checks
Fuel55 checks (not really interested in getting checkraised for $3000 here …)

*** SHOW DOWN ***
SB shows [Jh Qd] (a pair of Queens)
Fuel55 shows [5h 5s] (a straight, Five to Nine)
Fuel55 collected $387 from pot

Note the sly check on the flop from the SB who held TP with a decent kicker. SB played this hand pretty well and lost the minimum. Although he could have c-bet the flop and taken it down.

Presto is Gold (Part 64)

In position, out of position, improved or unimproved, Presto is GOLD and you all know it:

$10/20NL, 6-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
UTG+1 raises $40 to $60
Fuel55 calls $50 from SB with [5c 5h]

*** FLOP *** [3h 7h Qd]
Fuel55 checks
UTG+1 checks

*** TURN *** [3h 7h Qd] [4s]
Fuel55 bets $100
UTG+1 folds
Fuel55 collected $137 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 63)

$5/10NL, 8-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
UTG raises $30 to $40
Fuel55 calls $40 from button with [5s 5h]
BB calls $30

*** FLOP *** [Ac 5c Jh]
BB checks
UTG bets $88
Fuel55 raises $172 to $260 (with a 3-way pot with two broadway and two clubs showing, I raise to avoid a potential disaster – this is definitely a flop where winning a small pot is just fine)
BB folds
UTG folds
Fuel55 collected $298 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 62)

The word on Presto is clearly getting out and the regulars I play with are starting to use it to their advantage:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 raises $20 to $30 from UTG with [6c 6s]
EP calls $30
MP1 calls $30
MP2 calls $30
CO calls $30

*** FLOP *** [9d 5h Qd]
Fuel55 checks
EP checks
MP1 bets $150
MP2 calls $150
CO raises $250 to $400
Fuel55 folds
EP folds
MP1 calls $250
MP2 folds

*** TURN *** [9d 5h Qd] [Kd]
MP1 checks
CO bets $489.55 and is all-in
MP1 calls $489.55

*** RIVER *** [9d 5h Qd Kd] [Js]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
MP1 shows [5s 5c] (three of a kind, Fives)
CO mucks hand [Qh As]
MP1 collected $2091.10 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 61)

A little Presto DQB for the connoisseurs ...

$3/6NL, 6-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 folds [3h As] from UTG
MP raises $12 to $18
CO calls $18
SB calls $15

*** FLOP *** [Js 2c 5c]
SB checks
MP bets $54
CO calls $54
SB folds

*** TURN *** [Js 2c 5c] [5s]
MP checks
CO checks

*** RIVER *** [Js 2c 5c 5s] [Jh]
MP checks
CO bets $594 and is all-in
MP calls $103.40 and is all-in

*** SHOW DOWN ***
CO shows [5h 5d] (four of a kind, Fives)
MP mucks hand [Ac Td]
CO collected $371.80 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 60)

I can't remember the last I lost a hand holding Presto ...

$10/20NL, 5-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 raises $40 to $60 from UTG with [5c 5s]
BB calls $40

*** FLOP *** [Jh Jc Js]
BB bets $80
Fuel55 raises $100 to $180
BB folds
Fuel55 collected $288 from pot

Just keep saying, "I have the nuts," and bet accordingly ...

Presto is Gold (Part 59)

I had to wait 172 hands into the session to finally see pocket fives in the hole. Of coure they didn’t disappoint. Luckily for me, my opponent was a complete idiot and misplayed his hand beyond belief:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
CO calls $4
Fuel55 raises $8 to $12 from the Button with [5h 5d]
CO calls $8

*** FLOP *** [2h 3d Ac]
CO checks
Fuel55 checks

*** TURN *** [2h 3d Ac] [Tc]
CO checks
Fuel55 checks

*** RIVER *** [2h 3d Ac Tc] [4h]
CO bets $16
Fuel55 raises $36 to $52
CO calls $36

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5h 5d] (a straight, Ace to Five)
CO mucks hand [2s 2c] (well played dude!)
Fuel55 collected $131 from pot

I wonder if I shove, does he call? Lol - I love donkey stakes …

Presto is Gold (Part 58)

Another guest Presto appearance ...

Full Tilt $3 + $0.30 Tournament, 9-handed, Waffles in 2nd place at the table.

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Victim raises to 300
SirFWALGMan calls 300 with [5s 5d]

*** FLOP *** [Tc Jd Ts]
Victim bets 450
SirFWALGMan calls 450 (loose call in position)

*** TURN *** [Tc Jd Ts] [5h]
Victim checks
SirFWALGMan bets 450
Victim calls 450

*** RIVER *** [Tc Jd Ts 5h] [9s]
Victim checks
SirFWALGMan bets 500
Victim raises to 1,215, and is all in (checkraise that str8 on a paired board …)
SirFWALGMan calls 715

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Victim shows [Kh Qc] (a straight, King high)
SirFWALGMan shows [5s 5d] (a full house, Fives full of Tens)
SirFWALGMan wins the pot (4,980) with a full house, Fives full of Tens
Victim stands up

Pure Poker Brilliance (LOL!)

$3/6NL, 3-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
SB calls $3
Fuel55 checks from BB with [3h 4h]

*** FLOP *** [Qh 5d 4c]
Fuel55 bets $6
SB raises $6 to $12
Fuel55 calls $6

*** TURN *** [Qh 5d 4c] [Ac]
Fuel55 checks
SB bets $17.40
Fuel55 calls $17.40

*** RIVER *** [Qh 5d 4c Ac] [2s]
Fuel55 bets $162 (throw in a little overbet for value since he apparently likes his hand)
SB calls $162

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [3h 4h] (a straight, Ace to Five)
SB mucks hand [5s 5h]
Fuel55 collected $393.80 from pot

When will they ever learn? DON’T USE PRESTO AGAINST FUEL!

Presto is Gold (Part 57)

Played this so bad and still won a decent pot.

$10/20NL, 6-handed.

*** HOLE CARDS ***
UTG calls $20
Fuel55 raises $40 to $60 from UTG+1 with [5h 5s]
Button calls $60
UTG calls $40

*** FLOP *** [Th 2h Js]
UTG checks
Fuel55 checks
Button checks

*** TURN *** [Th 2h Js] [3d]
UTG checks
Fuel55 checks
Button checks

*** RIVER *** [Th 2h Js 3d] [4d]
UTG checks
Fuel55 bets $85
Button folds
UTG calls $85

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5h 5s] (a pair of Fives)
UTG mucks hand [Kc 3c] (stunning!)
Fuel55 collected $377 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 56)

Presto is Gold as always but this time at the expense of our main man Hoy.

FTOPS Main Event

121 of 3798 remaining

Our man, Hoy, is the only remaining blogger.

*** HOLE CARDS ***
hoyazo raises to 22,000 from UTG
charder30 raises to 26,260, and is all in from BB
hoyazo calls 4,260

charder30 shows [5c 5d]
hoyazo shows [As Tc]

*** FLOP *** [9d 6c Th]

*** TURN *** [9d 6c Th] [5s]

*** RIVER *** [9d 6c Th 5s] [5h]
charder30 shows four of a kind, Fives
hoyazo shows two pair, Tens and Fives
charder30 wins the pot (62,270) with four of a kind, Fives (DBQ!)

Hoy drops to 98th but can still win it for $336,000! An amazing performance so far.

Hoy went on to finish 101st when he pushed 88 and got called by the mighty QJs. Good performance buddy and use the $1900 wisely ...

Presto is Gold (Part 55)

A milestone post!!

3rd Presto of the day finally strikes gold in an unusual way …

$2/4NL, 6-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 raises $8 to $12 from SB with [5s 5d]
BB calls $8

*** FLOP *** [Jd Kd 4d]
Fuel55 bets $20
BB calls $20

*** TURN *** [Jd Kd 4d] [Td]
Fuel55 bets $28
BB calls $28

*** RIVER *** [Jd Kd 4d Td] [As]
Fuel55 checks
BB checks

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5s 5d] (a flush, King high)
BB mucks hand [9c Kc]
Fuel55 collected $117 from pot

And there it is – the eponymous Presto is Gold Part 55.

Presto is Gold (Part 53)

Presto continues to produce magic.

$5/10NL, 8-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 raises $30 to $40 from MP with [5s 5c]
BUTTON calls $40

*** FLOP *** [5h Jd 3s]
Fuel55 checks
BUTTON bets $70
Fuel55 calls $70

*** TURN *** [5h Jd 3s] [2h]
Fuel55 checks
BUTTON bets $100
Fuel55 raises $100 to $200
BUTTON raises $200 to $500 (this is serious spewage - one card to come and a gutterball?)
Fuel55 calls $222 and is all-in

*** RIVER *** [5h Jd 3s 2h] [7h]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5s 5c] (three of a kind, Fives)
BUTTON mucks hand [6d 6s]
Fuel55 collected $1076 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 52)

Presto is still gold but the pot sizes sure suck lately:

$3/6NL, 9-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
UTG raises $18 to $24
Fuel55 calls $24 from CO with [5s 5d]

*** FLOP *** [Kd 5c 8c]
UTG checks
Fuel55 bets $30
UTG folds
Fuel55 collected $54.15 from pot

Only a few prestos away from the magical Presto is Gold (Part 55) ...

Presto is Gold (Part 51)

Whenever you have it, just say: "Damn I am holding the nuts" and bet accordingly.

$5/10NL, 9-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
CO raises $30 to $40
Fuel55 calls $40 from button with [5d 5s]

*** FLOP *** [Ac Jd 2c]
CO bets $70
Fuel55 calls $70

*** TURN *** [Ac Jd 2c] [2h]
CO checks
Fuel55 bets $110
CO folds
Fuel55 collected $232 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 50)

A small pot, but presto magic nonetheless ...

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 raises $8 to $12 from EP with [5d 5h]
BB calls $8

*** FLOP *** [8s 3d 9c]
BB checks
Fuel55 checks

*** TURN *** [8s 3d 9c] [Kh]
BB bets $12
Fuel55 calls $12

*** RIVER *** [8s 3d 9c Kh] [5s]
BB checks
Fuel55 bets $32
BB folds
Fuel55 collected $47.60 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 49)

55 is still working its magic:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
UTG+1 calls $4
Fuel55 raises $12 to $16 from MP with [5h 5s]
UTG+1 calls $12

*** FLOP *** [Th 4d 5c]
UTG+1 checks
Fuel55 bets $20
UTG+1 calls $20

*** TURN *** [Th 4d 5c] [Jh]
UTG+1 checks
Fuel55 bets $44
UTG+1 calls $44

*** RIVER *** [Th 4d 5c Jh] [Qh]
UTG+1 checks
Fuel55 bets $72
UTG+1 folds
Fuel55 collected $163 from pot

I have no idea what he could have called to the river and then folded?

Presto is Gold, But 44 is Turning Out To Be A Nice Hand Too!

After last week's nice little pot with 44 I am seeing that hand in a new light.

Here is today's version of 44 is A Semi-Precious Metal.

$25/50NL, 7-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
CO raises $100 to $150
Fuel55 calls $150 from button with [4c 4d]

*** FLOP *** [Ah 9s 4s]
CO bets $250
Fuel55 raises $400 to $650
CO folds
Fuel55 collected $872 from pot

I wasn't giving a free card with an ace and two spades showing ...

Presto is Gold (Part 48)

$3/6NL, 3-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 raises $12 to $18 from SB with [5d 5c]
BB calls $12

*** FLOP *** [3h 5s Qs]
Fuel55 checks
BB bets $24
Fuel55 raises $66 to $90
BB calls $66

*** TURN *** [3h 5s Qs] [7c]
Fuel55 bets $162
BB calls $162

*** RIVER *** [3h 5s Qs 7c] [4d]
Fuel55 bets $333 and is all-in (I figured he must have a big queen and wouldn’t be able to fold)
BB folds (crap)
Fuel55 collected $539 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 47)

$5/10NL, 9-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
CO calls $10
Fuel55 calls $10 from the button with [5d 5h] (yeah I can limp presto once in a while ...)
timewarper raises $20 to $30 from SB
CO folds
Fuel55 calls $20

*** FLOP *** [3c As 5c]
timewarper bets $40
Fuel55 raises $40 to $80 (could be a scary flop so I raise for information)
timewarper calls $40 (he's got an ace or maybe two pair or two clubs)

*** TURN *** [3c As 5c] [8s]
timewarper checks
Fuel55 bets $100
timewarper calls $100 (check calling smalls like a draw to me)

*** RIVER *** [3c As 5c 8s] [Th]
timewarper checks (he's likely given up)
Fuel55 checks (like a wuss I check since I am not interested in being checkraised on this board)

*** SHOW DOWN ***
timewarper shows [9c Qc] (high card Ace)
Fuel55 shows [5d 5h] (three of a kind, Fives)
Fuel55 collected $437 from pot

No lost value since he wasn't calling any bet on the river. At least by checking I could confirm my read (aka lame excuse for checking!).

Presto is Gold (Part 46)

$2/4NL, 8-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 raises $8 to $12 from MP with [5s 5h]
LP raises $20 to $32
Fuel55 calls $20

*** FLOP *** [8h 9h 4c]
Fuel55 checks
LP bets $56 (standard c-bet, AK/AQ or TT+)
Fuel55 calls $56 (let’s see what the turn brings)

*** TURN *** [8h 9h 4c] [5c]
Fuel55 checks (give him a chance to fire)
LP checks (guess he has AK …)

*** RIVER *** [8h 9h 4c 5c] [Ah]
Fuel55 bets $18 (bet small to look scared and hope he pushes his ace)
LP calls $18 (probably scared of flush possibility)

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5s 5h] (three of a kind, Fives)
LP mucks hand [Qc As] (as expected)
Fuel55 collected $215 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 45)

$25/50NL, 6-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
twin-caracas raises $150 to $200 (my nemesis raises into me and I am holding PRESTO)
Fuel55 calls $200 from the CO with [5s 5h] (instacall!)
sanjay907 calls $175 (loose player calls from SB)

*** FLOP *** [5d 3c 3h] (Sweet Jebus!!!!!!!!!!)
sanjay907 checks
twin-caracas checks
Fuel55 bets $200
sanjay907 folds (fawk!)
twin-caracas folds (fawk!)
Fuel55 collected $647 from pot

Guess I should have checked but both of these guys love to float in and out of position. 20/20 hindsight!

Presto is Gold (Part 44)

$2/4NL, 9-handed. I just lost a big pot and failed to reload quick enough before next hand was dealt. Of course I am dealt Presto and I go ballistic knowing I have only $140 in front of me ….

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Victim raises $12 to $18
Fuel55 calls $18 from the button with [5d 5h]
SB calls $15

*** FLOP *** [5c Js 6h] (of course – Presto is GOLD)
SB checks
Victim bets $36
Fuel55 calls $36 (smooth call hoping to keep SB in the hand)
SB calls $36

*** TURN *** [5c Js 6h] [9d]
SB bets $35
Victim raises $115 to $150
Fuel55 calls $82.20 and is all-in
SB folds

*** RIVER *** [5c Js 6h 9d] [2s]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Victim shows [Kd Kh] (a pair of Kings)
Fuel55 shows [5d 5h] (three of a kind, Fives)
Fuel55 collected $364.40 from pot

Nice pot but could have been a lot nicer if I had reloaded - lesson learned.

A Two Outer Presto-ization

To say I have been running bad is putting it mildly. As such, I haven't played 1000 hands in the last three weeks. These hands demonstrates why:

$5/10NL, 9-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 raises $20 to $30 from EP with [7s 7h]
IDIOT IN THE BB calls $20

*** FLOP *** [3s 9d 2h]
IDIOT IN THE BB checks
Fuel55 bets $55
IDIOT IN THE BB calls $55

*** TURN *** [3s 9d 2h] [6c]
IDIOT IN THE BB checks
Fuel55 bets $95
IDIOT IN THE BB raises $47 to $142 and is all-in (like a check-raise here for $47 makes any sense whatsoever ...)
Fuel55 calls $47 (I put him on A6 at best)

*** RIVER *** [3s 9d 2h 6c] [5d]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
IDIOT IN THE BB shows [5c 5s] (three of a kind, Fives) (of course you hit your two outer moron)
Fuel55 mucks hand
IDIOT IN THE BB collected $456 from pot

Thankfully he was a short stack who dined and dashed a few hands later.

It doesn't seem to matter how good I play I just keep getting sucked out for modest-to-monster sized pots as an overwhelming favorite.

And if that wasn't bad enough, maybe you like this hand where I finally went broke in the same session:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 raises $20 to $30 from button with [3d 3s]
Reraising Lucksack raises $60 to $90 from BB (he is reraising from his BB about 50% of the time)
Fuel55 calls $60 (set mining 101)

*** FLOP *** [Ks Jc 9d]
Reraising Lucksack checks
Fuel55 checks

*** TURN *** [Ks Jc 9d] [3c]
Reraising Lucksack bets $180
Fuel55 raises $400 to $580
Reraising Lucksack reraises $450 to $1030 (for sure he put me on a steal which is logical since a 3 is "unlikely" to improve my hand 95% of the time)
Fuel55 rereraises $34 to $1064 and is all-in (if he has QT, KK, JJ or 99 – so be it)
Reraising Lucksack calls $34

*** RIVER *** [Ks Jc 9d 3c] [Qc]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Reraising Lucksack shows [4c 5c] (a flush, Jack high)
Fuel55 mucks hand
Reraising Lucksack collected $2310 from pot

Maybe my mistakes were not 4-betting him preflop and not c-betting flop but really I think I played the hand pretty good.

Tough to win when you are consistently getting this unlucky.

Presto is Gold (Part 43)

PokerStars $100+$5 HU

Hand 72, Level III – play has been cagey and controlled with only two reraises (1 each) in the entire match. I am dealt 55 on the button and know instinctively that it is time to double up:

Seat 1: Victim (1740 in chips)
Seat 2: Fuel55 (1260 in chips)

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Victim raises 100 to 150
Fuel55 raises 1110 to 1260 and is all-in with [5h 5c]
Victim calls 1110 with [Kd Ac]

*** FLOP *** [5s 8c Qs] (presto is gold and you all know it!)
*** TURN *** [5s 8c Qs] [Jd] (ouch – he has outs all of a sudden)
*** RIVER *** [5s 8c Qs Jd] [3d]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5h 5c] (three of a kind, Fives)
Victim shows [Kd Ac] (high card Ace)
Fuel55 collected 2520 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 42)

$3/6NL, 8-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 raises $12 to $18 from MP with [5s 5h]
Victim calls $18 from button

*** FLOP *** [Qd 9d 5c]
Fuel55 bets $24 (bet the set with two diamonds showing)
Victim raises $48 to $72 (diamond draw/AQ/KQ?)
Fuel55: calls $48 (I just call with the intent to let him hang himself on the turn)

*** TURN *** [Qd 9d 5c] [6h]
Fuel55 checks (provide rope ...)
Victim checks (wtf?)

*** RIVER *** [Qd 9d 5c 6h] [8d]
Fuel55 bets $12 (blocker bet now that flush comes into play)
Victim calls $12

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5s 5h] (three of a kind, Fives)
Victim mucks hand [Ac Jc] (nice!)
Fuel55 collected $210 from pot

Standard Preflop Scenarios Against Standard Ranges

I urge all readers to download PokerStove. It is a very useful tool for evaluating hands vs ranges. Maybe by running a few hands you'll see how I think about situations where I am reraised.

I rarely put my opponents on "a hand" - rather I put them on a range of hands and then assess the value of my hand against that range.

In preflop scenarios where I get reraised I generally ignore bluffing and put my opponents on 1 of 4 ranges.

The ultraloose reraising range typical of top higher limit cash game players: 22+, A2s+, K9s+, QTs+, J9s+, T8s+, 98s, 87s, 76s, 65s, 54s, A2o+, KTo+, QTo+, J9o+, T8o+, 98o.

Against these players gambling hands like AJs, KQs, QJs and small pairs are about even money:

QJs = 49%
KQs = 51%
AJs = 61%
44 = 49%

Tightening that range up a little bit yields what I call the loose reraising range typical of late-stage tournament play: 22+, A2s+, K9s+, QTs+, J9s+, T8s+, ATo+, KTo+, QTo+, JTo.

Here the marginal hands get to about even money:

QJs = 45%
KQs = 51%
AJs = 56%
44 = 46%

KQs fairs about the same against a tighter reraising range but QJs, AJs and small pairs fall off somewhat.

Removing some of the low pairs, suited connectors, lesser aces and easily-dominated two broadway combos yields the tight reraising range of: 77+, ATs+, KQs, QJs, JTs, AJo+, KQo.

Now you are getting into very marginal situations with hands that will be very tough to play post-flop:

QJs = 36%
KQs = 41%
AJs = 44%
44 = 39%

Clearly you are getting on pretty thin ice ...

Removing more pairs, AT, AJ and modest two broadway combos yields the ultratight reraising range of: TT+, AJs+, AKo.

Here is where the most common "marginal calling hands" flatten out to 2:1 dogs:

QJs = 32%
KQs = 33%
AJs = 33%
44 = 34%

So when facing a reraise or an all-in apply a reasonable range for your opponent and ask yourself whether you want to get involved with shit hands like AJs, KQs, QJs or small pairs ...

Presto is Gold (Part 41)

Finally another break - this time Presto shows its magic. Same game as previous post about 10 minutes later:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 raises $40 to $60 from CO with [5c 5d]
SB raises $80 to $140
Fuel55 calls $80 (set mine in position)

*** FLOP *** [5h Jd 2s]
SB bets $160
Fuel55 raises $180 to $340 (I figure him for an overpair so let’s money into the pot ...)
SB raises $180 to $520
Fuel55 raises $521 to $1041 and is all-in
SB calls $521

*** TURN *** [5h Jd 2s] [9h]

*** RIVER *** [5h Jd 2s 9h] [Th]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
SB shows [As Ah] (a pair of Aces)
Fuel55 shows [5c 5d] (three of a kind, Fives)
Fuel55 collected $2379 from pot

55 is such a wonderful hand ...

Presto is Gold (Part 40)

In tough games you can't always be folding to pressure.

Here is another "monster or air" scenario on an XXY flop:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 calls $6 from UTG with [5c 5d]
MP Donkey calls $6
MP Tough Player calls $6
Button raises $30 to $36
Fuel55 calls $30 (stacks are huge so I am set mining for sure)
MP Donkey calls $30
MP Tough Player calls $30

*** FLOP *** [2c 8c 8h]
Fuel55 checks (obviously I need to check my monster)
MP Donkey checks
MP Tough Player checks
Button checks

It seems unlikely that anyone has an 8 since there are two clubs on board and they would protect.

*** TURN *** [2c 8c 8h] [4h]
Fuel55 bets $6 (weak lead to see who is where)
MP Donkey calls $6 (he has nothing)
MP Tough Player raises $30 to $36 (monster or air? - smells like a flush draw)
Button folds
Fuel55 calls $30 (not willing to give up this hand yet)
MP Donkey folds

*** RIVER *** [2c 8c 8h 4h] [Qd]
Fuel55 checks
MP Tough Player bets $48 (such a tiny bet … busted flush draw?)
Fuel55 calls $48 (crying call but I think my hand is good given my history with this guy)

*** SHOW DOWN ***
MP Tough Player shows [Js Ks] (a pair of Eights) (air …)
Fuel55 shows [5c 5d] (two pair, Eights and Fives)
Fuel55 collected $324 from pot

I really thought this guy was on AcXc where X is likely 4 but I was completely wrong. Still the read and analysis were pretty good and I won a nice pot with Presto.

If the turn was a 6 or higher and the same thing went down I would have folded in all likelihood.

Presto is Gold (Part 39)

More abuse of players on XXY flops:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
EP calls $10
MP calls $10
Button raises $40 to $50 from Button
Fuel55 calls $45 from SB with [5d 5h]
EP folds
MP calls $40

*** FLOP *** [7d 8c 8d] (XYY flop)
Fuel55 checks
MP checks
Button bets $120
Fuel55 raises $130 to $250 (nice little check raise to see if he has AK/AQ …)
MP folds
Button folds (guess so!)
Fuel55 collected $407 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 38) and Abusing XXY Flops

I have commented previously on using raises to represent big hands on XXY flops.

*** HOLE CARDS ***
EP raises $20 to $30
Fuel55 calls $30 from CO with [5h 5c]
BB calls $20

*** FLOP *** [7c 7h 9s]
BB checks
EP bets $50 (likely a standard continuation bet and if he has an overpair maybe he can lay it down?)
Fuel55 raises $60 to $110 (stinky pot-builder raise has to put the fear of a 7 in him)
BB folds
EP folds (to avoid being out of position for the rest of the hand he safely folds)
Fuel55 collected $192 from pot

Pretty simple and low-risk play in position.

Presto is Gold (Part 37)

*** HOLE CARDS ***
SB raises $25 to $35
Fuel55 calls $25 from BB with [5c 5d]

*** FLOP *** [5h Jd 7c]
SB bets $55
Fuel55 calls $55

*** TURN *** [5h Jd 7c] [Jh]
SB checks
Fuel55 bets $140
SB calls $140

*** RIVER *** [5h Jd 7c Jh] [9s]
SB checks
Fuel55 bets $290
SB folds (what does he check call the turn with and fold on the river?)
Fuel55 collected $457 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 36)

This just in from CC:

Presto is Gold (Part 35)

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 raises $20 to $30 from MP with [5s 5c]
Victim raises $30 to $60 from BB
Fuel55 calls $30 (not folding Presto to a min-reraise)

*** FLOP *** [3s Tc 8h]
Victim bets $50
Fuel55 calls $50 (not folding Presto to 40% pot bet - I smell AK)

*** TURN *** [3s Tc 8h] [5h]
Victim bets $158.50 and is all-in (nice timing Chump)
Fuel55 calls $158.50

*** RIVER *** [3s Tc 8h 5h] [Js]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Victim shows [As Ac] (a pair of Aces)
Fuel55 shows [5s 5c] (three of a kind, Fives)
Fuel55 collected $549 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 34)

Undeniable ...

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 folds [Ts 3d]
4 more fold
CO raises $8 to $12
Button and SB fold
BB raises $16 to $28 with fives
CO calls $16 with aces and position

*** FLOP *** [7d 5h 5d]
BB checks
CO checks

*** TURN *** [7d 5h 5d] [Kh]
BB checks
CO bets $40
BB raises $40 to $80
CO raises $328 to $408
BB calls $70 and is all-in

*** RIVER *** [7d 5h 5d Kh] [2c]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
BB shows [5s 5c] (four of a kind, Fives) (DQB)
CO mucks hand [Ac Ad]
BB collected $355 from pot

The CO played AA horribly in my opinion. He should have reraised preflop and barring that he certainly should have bet the flop to find out where he was at.

Presto is Gold (Part 33)

$3/6NL, 8-handed:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
EP raises $6 to $12 (min. raise)
MP calls $12 (1 caller)
Button calls $12 (2 callers)
Fuel55 raises $63 to $75 with [5d 5c] (time to repop these mofos – luckily I am sitting on pure gold)
EP calls $63 (WTF? You call my repop … dude I am sitting on PRESTO for god’s sake)
MP folds
Button folds

*** FLOP *** [Kd 9d 9s]
Fuel55 bets $116 (logically this guy has a pair and it isn’t AA, KK or 99 so I bet ¾ pot representing AA or AK and he has to fold)
EP folds (on queue)
Fuel55 collected $174 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 32)

55 is certainly treating me well lately:

Bugsy’s $1/2, 9-handed

>>>DEALING HOLE CARDS<<<
4 players pay $5 to see a flop - I have 5d 5c

>>>DEALING FLOP<<< [ Th 9h 5s ]
kyjonnyz checks
hassan7887 checks
lucass19 checks
Fuel55 bets $21
kyjonnyz folds
hassan7887 folds
lucass19 calls $21

>>>DEALING TURN<<< [ Jh ]
lucass19 checks (Make the 2nd nuts and give a free card … brilliant)
Fuel55 checks

>>>DEALING RIVER<<< [ Ts ]
lucass19 bets $41 Fuel55 calls $41 (I just call here since he might have a better boat)
lucass19 cards were 3h Ah
Fuel55 cards were 5c 5d
Fuel55 wins $142 with a full house, fives full of tens

Put money in when I am ahead and don't when I am behind. Well done Fuel ...

Presto is Gold (Part 31)

$5/10NL, 9-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
MP calls $10
Victim raises $30 to $40 with [5s Ac] (rag aces are gold)
Fuel55 calls $35 from SB with [5h 5d]
MP calls $30

*** FLOP *** [3d 9d As]
Fuel55 checks
MP checks
Victim checks (top pair and position - may as well give a free card)

*** TURN *** [3d 9d As] [5c] (obligatory money card)
Fuel55 bets $60
MP folds
Victim raises $170 to $230
Fuel55: raises $420 to $650
Victim calls $359 and is all-in

*** RIVER *** [3d 9d As 5c] [8h]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5h 5d] (three of a kind, Fives)
Victim mucks hand [5s Ac]
Fuel55 collected $1305 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 30)

Here's a nasty little cooler hand from a $10/20NL, 6-max game. FYI: I wasn't involved in the hand.

*** HOLE CARDS ***
EP calls $20
SB calls $10
BB checks from BB

*** FLOP *** [3s 3h 5c]
SB bets $20
BB raises $100 to $120
EP calls $120
SB folds

*** TURN *** [3s 3h 5c] [Ah]
BB checks
EP bets $100
BB raises $277 to $377
EP calls $277

*** RIVER *** [3s 3h 5c Ah] [8s]
BB bets $720
EP raises $1480 to $2200
BB calls $1480

*** SHOW DOWN ***
EP shows [5s 5h] (a full house, Fives full of Threes)
BB mucks hand [Ac 3d] (a full house, Threes full of Aces)
EP collected $5472 from pot

Presto: The Origins

Subzero (free pimpage!) asked why 55 had come to be known as Presto. And to be honest I had no fawking clue. So I figured pocketfives.com would probably have the answer and they do.

"It seems that for many players, especially online players, there is a mystical aura surrounding this hand that somehow makes it special and gives it a better chance of winning."

"Presto" is used Blackjack and poker players wanted a hand to call Presto too. 55 was seemingly chosen in a somewhat random manner. Not too glamourous an explanation ...

However Kent has pointed me to Cardplayer that elaborates a little further:

"presto: 5-5. Comes from what one says when revealing a pair of fives as one's holecards. The term was coined at BARGE and evolved from what a blackjack player says when turning over a blackjack. (BARGE is Big August Rec.Gambling Excursion, an annual Las Vegas convention of online poker enthusiasts. RGPers - those who read and post on the Usenet newsgroup rec.gambling.poker - have used the term presto as an identifying catchword.)"

The bottom line: Presto is Gold and you all know it!

Presto is Gold (Part 29)

After my weak/tight fold of 55 UTG last night I resolved not to let it happen again. Here is how to properly play 55 from under the gun:

PokerStars $5/10NL, 8-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 raises $20 to $30 from UTG with [5c 5s]
MP calls $30

*** FLOP *** [4c 8h Kh]
Fuel55 bets $50
MP folds
Fuel55 collected $72 from pot

Easy peasy ...

Presto is Gold (Part 28)

PokerStars $20+$2 6-max DeepStacks Tourney

Hand 3 of the tournament:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 raises 40 to 60 from MP with [5c 5s]
ellizizcute raises 140 to 200 from SB
Fuel55 calls 140 (set mining 101 – obvious call with the signature hand)

*** FLOP *** [7d 5h 8c]
ellizizcute bets 320
Fuel55 raises 320 to 640
ellizizcute raises 4600 to 5240 and is all-in (gotta love it!)
Fuel55 calls 3960 and is all-in

*** TURN *** [7d 5h 8c] [8s]

*** RIVER *** [7d 5h 8c 8s] [Qd]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
ellizizcute shows [Ks Kd] (two pair, Kings and Eights) (when will they ever learn to fold overpairs?)
Fuel55 shows [5c 5s] (a full house, Fives full of Eights)
Fuel55 collected 9620

Presto is Gold and Flopped Str8s Never Win All In One

OK here is an interesting hand from $25/$50NL. Ask yourself if you have the stones to play like this ...

This is a very interesting hand I observed between Jeff Williams (yellowsub86) and big cash game player and tournament winner Williamhill. Williamhill flops a str8 and yellowsub donks off his stack with 4th pair playing power poker. Luckily for yellowsub he has Presto and goes runner-runner miracle full house to scoop a $12K pot:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Williamhill raises $150 to $200
yellowsub86 raises $450 to $650
Williamhill calls $450

*** FLOP *** [Tc 7d Jh]
Williamhill checks
yellowsub86 bets $850
Williamhill raises $850 to $1700
yellowsub86 raises $4400 to $6100 (this is a serious bet and can only be called by a set or a str8)
Williamhill calls $3645.70 and is all-in (calling with the nutz but we know that flopped str8s always lose)

*** TURN *** [Tc 7d Jh] [Js]

*** RIVER *** [Tc 7d Jh Js] [5d]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Williamhill shows [9c 8c] (a straight, Seven to Jack)
yellowsub86 shows [5h 5c] (a full house, Fives full of Jacks)
yellowsub86 collected $12063.40 from pot

Interesting that yellowsub with reraise with 55 and Williamhill will call with 98s. Drawing thin to a runner runner situation yellowsub pulls off a miracle. Williamhill will steam about this for a while.

Welcome to the big games …

Presto is Gold (Part 27) [But it was all for naught]

Pokerstars $5/10NL, 6-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Victim raises $30 to $40 from UTG
Fuel55 raises $90 to $130 with [5c 5d] from CO
Victim raises $2478 to $2608 and is all-in
Fuel55 calls $462 and is all-in (well I figure him for a big ace and can’t really fold a pair – especially the SIGNATURE HAND)

*** FLOP *** [9s 2s 5h] (Presto is Gold – right on queue)

*** TURN *** [9s 2s 5h] [6h]

*** RIVER *** [9s 2s 5h 6h] [7h]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Victim shows [Ah Kc] (high card Ace)
Fuel55: shows [5c 5d] (three of a kind, Fives)
Fuel55 said, "signature hand strikes again"
Fuel55 collected $1197 from pot

Fives were enough but the set was nice.

Then the same guy gets it all back 4 hands later on a PokerStars supercooler:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Victim becomes Cooler King raises $30 to $40 from UTG
Fuel55 raises $130 to $170 from CO with [Kh Ks]
Victim becomes Cooler King raises $1846 to $2016 and is all-in
Fuel55 calls $982 and is all-in

*** FLOP *** [7c 3c 8h]

*** TURN *** [7c 3c 8h] [5c]

*** RIVER *** [7c 3c 8h 5c] [7d]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Victim becomes Cooler King shows [Ac Ad] (two pair, Aces and Sevens)
Fuel55 mucks hand
Victim becomes Cooler King collected $2316 from pot

Are you fawking kidding me?

Presto is Gold (Part 26)

PokerStars $2/4NL, 9-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 calls $4 from MP with [5s 5h]
Victim calls $4
CO checks
SB calls $2
BB checks

*** FLOP *** [8d 2s 4c]
SB checks
BB checks
Fuel55 bets $8
Victim raises $12 to $20
CO folds
SB folds
BB folds
Fuel55 calls $12 (not convinced that I am behind just yet)

*** TURN *** [8d 2s 4c] [3c]
Fuel55 checks
Victim checks

*** RIVER *** [8d 2s 4c 3c] [5c]
Fuel55 bets $20
Victim calls $20 (he let's me get there and then pays me off)

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5s 5h] (three of a kind, Fives)
Victim mucks hand [9c 9s]
Fuel55 collected $97 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 25)

Ah, the power of position coupled with deception ....

Full Tilt $3/6, 6-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
UTG raises to $18
Fuel55 raises to $55 with (yes, you guessed it) [5d 5c] from the CO
UTG calls $37

*** FLOP *** [Ac 2c Kd]
UTG bets $40
Fuel55 raises to $140
UTG has 15 seconds left to act
UTG folds (I guess he has to give me credit for AK, AA or KK)
Fuel55 wins the pot ($196)

Presto is Gold (Part 24)

9-handed $2/4NL game

*** HOLE CARDS ***
LP raises $8 to $12
SB raises $23 to $35
Fuel55 calls $31 from BB with [5d 5s] (a position call with the signature hand!)
LP folds

*** FLOP *** [8d 4c 9d]
SB bets $35
Fuel55 calls $35 (fairly easy call since he very likely has AK, AQ, or an overpair)

*** TURN *** [8d 4c 9d] [6h]
SB checks
Fuel55 checks (my flop call gets me a free card because I was willing to fold to another bet)

At this point I put him on AK and would have bet the river anyway but luckily I river my 5 as usual ...

*** RIVER *** [8d 4c 9d 6h] [5h]
SB checks
Fuel55 bets $36
SB calls $36 (and he check calls with an overpair)

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5d 5s] (three of a kind, Fives)
SB mucks hand [Qh Qd]
Fuel55 collected $221 from pot

This guy played his queens very passively post-flop and it cost him. I guess I had him running scared ???

Presto is Gold (Part 23)

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Folded to ragamuffin44 who limps for $2 from the CO
Fuel55 raises $10 to $12 with [5s 5c] on the button
Blinds fold and ragamuffin44 calls $10 (note that he limps and then calls a raise out of position – THIS IS BAD POKER)

*** FLOP *** [5h Qs As]
ragamuffin44 checks
Fuel55 bets $18 (I bet my set as I almost always do)
ragamuffin44 raises $18 to $36
Fuel55 raises $88 to $124 (I know I am good so let’s the money in)
ragamuffin44 raises $247.30 to $371.30 and is all-in
Fuel55 calls $92.95 and is all-in

*** TURN *** [5h Qs As] [Qh]

*** RIVER *** [5h Qs As Qh] [Kc]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
ragamuffin44 shows [9s Ts] (a pair of Queens)
Fuel55 shows [5s 5c] (a full house, Fives full of Queens)
Fuel55 collected $457.90 from pot

I love these donkeys ...

Presto is Gold (Part 22)

Full Tilt $20 + $2 Two-table Sit & Go, 7 players remain

*** HOLE CARDS ***
EP raises to 900
Victim calls 670, and is all in
Fuel55 calls 750 from SB with [5d 5c]

*** FLOP *** [5h Ts 4h]
Fuel55 bets 7,310, and is all in (I push here since I have been pushing every hand either pre or postflop to intimidate the table and accumulate chips)
EP folds
Fuel55 shows [5d 5c]
Victim shows [Jc Tc]
Uncalled bet of 7,310 returned to Fuel55

*** TURN *** [5h Ts 4h] [9s]

*** RIVER *** [5h Ts 4h 9s] [5s]
Fuel55 wins the side pot (460)
Fuel55 shows four of a kind, Fives
Victim shows two pair, Tens and Fives
Fuel55 wins the main pot (2,310) with four of a kind, Fives
Fuel55: DQB

Makes up for that fawking royal I faced last night.

Presto is Gold (Part 21)

Bugsy's $1/2, 6-max game, 6-handed

>>>DEALING HOLE CARDS<<<
Victim raises $5 to $7 from UTG
MP calls $6
Fuel55 raises $35 to $42 from BB with 5d 5s
Victim calls $35
MP folds

>>>DEALING FLOP<<< [ 2d 3d 2s ]
Fuel55 bets $50 (continue the charade with my overpair)
Victim calls $50

>>>DEALING TURN<<< [ Td ]
Fuel55 bets $150
Victim calls $150 (OK, now I am worried)

>>>DEALING RIVER<<< [ 5h ] (sweet sweet river)
Fuel55 bets $190
Victim calls $190
Fuel55 cards were 5d 5s
Victim mucks hand (cards were Qs Qh)

Fuel55 wins $867 with a full house, fives full of deuces

Nice two outer Fuel ...

Presto is Gold (Part 20)

PokerStars $100+$9 SNG

First Hand

*** HOLE CARDS ***
EP raises 40 to 60
Fuel55 calls 60 from MP with [5s 5h]

*** FLOP *** [9d 3s 5d]
EP bets 60
Fuel55 calls 60

*** TURN *** [9d 3s 5d] [2s]
EP bets 60
Fuel55 raises 160 to 220
EP calls 160

*** RIVER *** [9d 3s 5d 2s] [5c]
EP bets 160
Fuel55 raises 160 to 320
EP calls 160

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5s 5h] (four of a kind, Fives)
EP shows [Kd Kc] (two pair, Kings and Fives)
Fuel55 said, "DBQ"
Fuel55 collected 1350 from pot

Repopped him twice but he couldn't lay down the cowboys.

Another Pearl of Wisdom from Dutch

After busting first in the Foxwoods $10K event, Dutch Boyd posted a summary to his blog.

Near the end of the post - he makes another brilliant set of observations:

"If you're going to be great at poker, you've got to be able to fold pocket queens preflop and you've got to be able to fold a set on the flop. It's that simple. You can't blame losses on cards, because you really shouldn't be paying that much attention to the cards you've got in the first place. Starting with monsters, or flopping monsters, usually just gets in the way of a well-played tournament. The events that I seem to do the best at are the ones where I never pick up aces or kings."

"There's an interesting psychological aspect to tournaments, and it's this: you only feel good about a tournament when you win it ... and the closer you get to first place, the worse you feel when you get knocked out. It actually doesn't feel that bad getting knocked out super early in a big event. It's over and you can kinda relax. But anytime you're one of the first ones out in a major, it means you were playing longball poker, which really isn't the correct strategy in these things. Next time I play a big event, maybe I'll finally muster up the courage to try and take it down without ever looking at my hand. At least I'd last longer than I did in this one..."

Presto is Gold (Part 19)

PokerStars $2/$4NL, 6-max

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 raises $8 to $12 from CO with [5d 5h]
BB calls $8

*** FLOP *** [Ad 3d 5c]
BB bets $20
Fuel55 raises $28 to $48 (throw in a little raise to see where BB is at on a heavy drawing board)
BB calls $28 (danger)

*** TURN *** [Ad 3d 5c] [Kd]
BB checks
Fuel55 bets $64 (uggggh, I hate this card but he checks, so I bet)
BB calls $64 (double uggggh)

*** RIVER *** [Ad 3d 5c Kd] [Tc]
BB checks
Fuel55 checks (just check it down since he could be trapping me)

*** SHOW DOWN ***
BB shows [As 2d] (a pair of Aces) (nice hand buddy …)
Fuel55 shows [5d 5h] (three of a kind, Fives)
Fuel55 collected $248 from pot

Very glad I had position on this hand.

Presto is Gold (Part 18)

Probably the worst played AQ of all time:

Full Tilt $100 + $9 Sit & Go, 8 players remain

*** PREFLOP ***
PUTZ/VICTIM/DOOFUS calls 80 (he limps with AQ)
Fuel55 calls 40 from SB with [5d 5s]
BB checks

*** FLOP *** [3d Qh Ac]
Fuel55 checks
BB checks
PUTZ/VICTIM/DOOFUS checks

*** TURN *** [3d Qh Ac] [5h]
Fuel55 checks (presto is usually gold on the turn so I am glad no one bet that flop)
BB checks
PUTZ/VICTIM/DOOFUS checks (good idea to check again now str8 and flush draws have appeared)

*** RIVER *** [3d Qh Ac 5h] [7d]
Fuel55 bets 160 (better stick something in, if no one is going to bet)
BB folds
PUTZ/VICTIM/DOOFUS raises to 640 (now he awakens)
Fuel55 raises to 1,120 (gimme the rest of your chips buddy)
PUTZ/VICTIM/DOOFUS calls 421, and is all in (bingo)
Uncalled bet of 59 returned to Fuel55

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5d 5s] (three of a kind, Fives)
PUTZ/VICTIM/DOOFUS mucks [Qd As] - two pair, Aces and Queens
Fuel55 wins the pot (2,362) with three of a kind, Fives

Presto is Gold (Part 17)

Alternate Title: My Only Defense is "He Was Short Stacked and I Play Goot"

PokerStars $50+$5 SNG, 5 remain

Seat 1: Fuel55 (4535 in chips)
Seat 2 (1680 in chips)
Seat 3 (1695 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 7 (5110 in chips)
Seat 8: Victim (480 in chips)

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Seats 2, 3 and 7 fold
Victim raises 50 to 100 from SB
Fuel55 calls 50 with [5h 5d]

*** FLOP *** [8c 2s Jd]
Victim bets 380 and is all-in (It doesn’t really matter what he has, he has to push with such a short stack)
Fuel55 calls 380 (PRESTO IS GOLD, I CALL)

Victim shows [Qc Qd]
Fuel55 shows [5h 5d]

*** TURN *** [8c 2s Jd] [5c] (hello Mr. 2-Outer)

*** RIVER *** [8c 2s Jd 5c] [Ac]
Fuel55: shows [5h 5d] (three of a kind, Fives)
Fuel55 collected 960 from pot
Fuel55 said, "ouch"

Presto is Gold (Part 16)

PokerStars $3/$6NL, 6-max

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 calls $6 from MP with [5d 5s]
SB calls $3
BB checks

*** FLOP *** [5c 6h 7c]
SB bets $16
BB folds
Fuel55 raises $20 to $36
SB calls $20

*** TURN *** [5c 6h 7c] [Kc]
SB checks
Fuel55 checks

*** RIVER *** [5c 6h 7c Kc] [7h]
SB checks
Fuel55 bets $30
SB calls $30

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5d 5s] (a full house, Fives full of Sevens)
SB mucks [8h 7s] (poor guy gets unlucky to make his set on the river)
Fuel55 collected $148 from pot

Presto is Gold (Part 15)

Another Full Tilt SNG and another miracle flop with 55:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
MP raises to 180
Button reraises to 400
Fuel55 calls 340 from SB with [5c 5h]
MP calls 220

*** FLOP *** [5s Kh Qd]
MP bets 400
Button raises to 900
Fuel55 reraises to 1159, and is all in
MP calls 759
Button calls 259

*** TURN *** [5s Kh Qd] [Jd]
MP checks
Button bets 323
MP calls 323, and is all in

*** RIVER *** [5s Kh Qd Jd] [8h]
Button shows [Ah Kd] (a pair of Kings)
MP shows [Qh Ad] (a pair of Queens)
Fuel55 shows [5c 5h] (a set of Fives)

Button wins the side pot (T626) and Fuel55 wins the main pot (T4737). No explanation required ...

Presto is Gold (Part 14) (with further explanation)

Full Tilt $100+$9 Sit & Go, 6 players remain. I have a reasonable chip lead. Of the total T12,000 in play I have T6,000 and 2nd place (who is the victim here has T3,300 - the other 4 players ae close to the felt with less than 10BB each).

I have been blessed with quite a few good hands and players are scared to play me for the most part. I have shown a number of hands to reinforce that image. My Victim here is Team Atomic who is a very solid player. He can fold and he can play air with the best of them.

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Fuel55 min-raises to 120 from the button with [5c 5h] (I will have position throughout this hand)
Victim calls 60 from the BB (he would raise here if he had an ace or a pair)

*** FLOP *** [9h 3c 2s]
Victim checks (for the most part I put checking here in the"weak" column)
Fuel55 bets 180 (I bet 2/3 of the pot here looking to take it down)
Victim raises to 360 (he could have a 9 or just be testing to see if I am floating him – I thinking 30% 9, 70% tester raise - he knows I will c-bet 80% of the time and the board looks pretty safe so why not try and take it down)
Fuel55 calls 180 (can't really fold for T180 more)

So we've had an interesting flop and round of betting. Remember that this is a $109 SNG - the players here are tricky and well beyond ABC poker. There aren't any draws on this board (unless he has 54) so my assumption he has to be that he has a weak 9 (A9 would have raised preflop) or he is just trying to take the pot away from weak. In either case, I think I can resteal from him given that I have position.

*** TURN *** [9h 3c 2s] [2d]
Victim bets 300 (he has to c-bet again – now up to 50/50 on whether he has a nine)
Fuel55 calls 300

OK, the turn is a scare card. If I called him (or he called me) with bottom pair things will get dicey. Victim MUST bet here given that he checkraised the flop. Team Atomic knows that for sure. He bets 1/3 the pot. Again I take this is a sign of weakness and a flat call from me has to WORRY him a lot. I think I can safely discount a 2. If he has a 3 I have him beat but I am behind a 9. Still Team Atomic will fold a weak 9 on the river to an all in. He won't go broke with a marginal pair.

*** RIVER *** [9h 3c 2s 2d] [5d]
Victim checks
Fuel55 bets 1,200 (stick in a little value bet and pray that he has a nine)
Victim calls 1,200

Victim checks the river. I figure he has given up on the pot. Luckily for me I hit my 5 and can bet without any worry of losing the hand. I bet T1200 which is 3/4 the pot. This is larger than a value bet and falls squarely is the "steal bet" category. He can call without going broke or he can fold. He decides to call and did have a weak 9 the whole way. If a 5 had not come, I would have surely pushed, putting him all in - and he could NOT have called with Q9 for his tournament life.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5c 5h] (a full house, Fives full of Twos)
Victim mucks [9d Qs] (bingo – nice suckout on my part)
Fuel55 wins the pot (3,990) with a full house, Fives full of Twos

I pick up a nice pot by getting lucky on the river however I firmly beleive that I would have won a smaller pot by pushing any river card since he could only call for all his chips if the river was a Q or another 9.

Oh, and did I mention that 55 is gold in my hands?

Is that enough explanation Waffles?

Presto is Gold (Part 13)

Haven't made quad fives for a while ...

PokerStars $5/10NL, 9-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
UTG calls $10
UTG+1 calls $10
Fuel55 raises $50 to $60 from LP with [5s 5d]
CO-1 calls $60
BB raises $19 to $79 and is all-in
UTG folds
UTG+1 folds
Fuel55 calls $19
CO-1 calls $19

*** FLOP *** [Td 6h 5c]
Fuel55 checks
CO-1 checks

*** TURN *** [Td 6h 5c] [5h]
Fuel55 bets $60
CO-1 calls $60

*** RIVER *** [Td 6h 5c 5h] [9c]
Fuel55 bets $100
CO-1 folds

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55 shows [5s 5d] (four of a kind, Fives)
BB mucks hand [9d Ac]
Fuel55 collects $374

Presto is Gold (Part 12)

55 can work in mysterious ways - how about this one:

PokerStars Satellite to WCOOP Event #6

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Victim raises 400 to 600
Fuel55 calls 600 on button with [5c 5d]

*** FLOP *** [Ac 2c 7c]
Victim checks
Fuel55 checks

*** TURN *** [Ac 2c 7c] [Jc]
Victim bets 800
Fuel55 calls 800 (reasonable chance my flush is good)

*** RIVER *** [Ac 2c 7c Jc] [Kh]
Victim checks
Fuel55 checks (but no point in getting greedy)

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Victim shows [8s 6s] (high card Ace)
Fuel55: shows [5c 5d] (a flush, Ace high)
Fuel55 collected 3100 from pot

9th of 36 remaining. 10 get seats.

Presto is Gold (Part 11)

Here is a really good example of taking advantage of your read when you have nothing.

PokerStars $3/$6PL, 9-handed

*** HOLE CARDS ***
MP raises $12 to $18
Fuel55 calls $18 from CO with [5h 5d]

*** FLOP *** [6c 6d 7c]
MP bets $24
Fuel55 raises $30 to $54 (I raise a little here to see if he has a pair or two overs)
MP calls $30 (Looks like a pair)

*** TURN *** [6c 6d 7c] [8s]
MP bets $46
Fuel55 calls $46 (The 8 opens up a lot of possibilities so I make the call getting more than 4:1)

*** RIVER *** [6c 6d 7c 8s] [7h]
MP checks (total scare card)
Fuel55 bets $116
MP folds
Fuel55 collected $242 from pot
Fuel55 doesn't show hand

My hand is totally counterfeited on the river and I am reduced to playing the board. My opponent checks the scare card on the river since the board now shows two pair and it is entirely possible that I raised him on the flop with a 6 or a 7. I MUST BET or I will lose the pot. If my read that he has an overpair is correct, he really has to fold, which he does.

Make sure you always have the stones to make this river bet, especially in position.

Presto is Gold (Part 10)

It's been two months since I posted a Presto-is-Gold hand. I haven't been seeing 55 much and when I have had it, it hasn't flopped much. Yesterday, I finally flopped a presto set but wasn't able to get paid off: