Good poker, bad poker.

Its stupid how sometimes we play like the best poker of our lives. Its like you can see your opponents hole cards. Then other times when I allow my emotions to take over, which has been way to often lately, we suck. Here are two hands to show you what I mean.

Good: Villain was a 30/8/1 On the surface this hand looks self explanatory. I have AA bet all the way when in actuality I think many players check either the turn or river here. Villain tanked the turn call which told me there was no way in hell he had a flush and most likely had a medium strength Q. Also I knew if he C/R the turn I could fold without questioning if I was beat or not. On the river I make sure to bet the right amount to get value from his weak Q.

Absolute Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (5 handed) Hand History converter, Courtesy of PokerZion.com

Hero ($216)SB ($349.35)BB ($206.52)UTG ($93.50)MP ($309.17)

Preflop: Hero is Button with As, Ac. 2 folds, Hero raises to $8, 1 fold, BB calls $6.
Flop: ($17) 8d, 4h, Qd (2 players)BB checks, Hero bets $14, BB calls $14.

Turn: ($45) 2d (2 players)BB checks, Hero bets $28, BB calls $28.

River: ($101) 9s (2 players)BB checks, Hero bets $54, BB calls $54.
Final Pot: $209

Results below: Hero has As Ac (one pair, aces). BB doesn't show. Outcome: Hero wins $209.


Bad: Villain in this hand is actually a good friend a memeber of the UF2B. He has been playing 10 tables at a time so his numbers are quite nitty. 18/12/2. In this spot I hate seeing the flop with so many players but I have to bet when it is checked to me. The sickest thing about this spot is before I bet I said something in chat to Jason about how sick he makes me. It was like I knew he out flopped me instinctually. Then he raises. If I put him on a CC range which raises my cbet on this board with 3 villains left to act this is the easiest fold in the book. I chose to jam my chips in the middle and hope for a miracle instead. HOW? WTF? That is letting my emotions play a roll in my decision making. Whenever I do this I go on a downswing and that is fact.


Absolute Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (6 handed) Hand History converter, Courtesy of PokerZion.com

Button ($305.55)SB ($192.80)BB ($76)UTG ($100.70)MP ($154.10)Hero ($203.30)
Preflop: Hero is CO with Ad, Ac. UTG calls $2, MP calls $2, Hero raises to $12, Button calls $12, SB calls $11, 1 fold, UTG calls $10, MP calls $10.

Flop: ($62) 4s, 8h, 5h (5 players)SB checks, UTG checks, MP checks, Hero bets $38, Button raises to $116, SB folds, UTG folds, MP folds, Hero raises to $191.3 (All-In), Button calls $75.30.

Turn: ($444.60) Ks (2 players, 1 all-in)
River: ($444.60) Qd (2 players, 1 all-in)
Final Pot: $444.60
Results below: Button has 4c 4h (three of a kind, fours). Hero has Ad Ac (one pair, aces). Outcome: Button wins $444.60.