My most amazing poker comeback story has a bittersweet ending.

I played both the million and the UB 200K Sunday. I busted in the million about 2/3 way through (player wise). I got shortstacked when I ran AK into AA. I actually played it conservatively – I only CC the PF raise, then just called all the way on a K high uncoordinated board. That left me with 5K – which I got back up to 14K, but that was still only half the average and I busted when I pushed K9s from the CO with an M of 5 and 10K chips and ran into QQ which held up.

In the UB 200K, I was at half the average after losing a bunch of chips w QQ when I had to fold and a PF raise and continuation bet on a KJ4-2-A board. I had about 3.6K in chips, then had to fold the bb. The average was 7.5K, and I picked up 77. Here is what transpired.


Ultimate Bet

No Limit Holdem Tournament

Blinds: t200./t400.

(Ante: t50)

9 players

Converter



Stack sizes:

UTG: t17210

UTG+1: t15700

MP1: t7210

MP2: t19510

MP3: t5135

CO: t5305

Button: t9145

ELMO: t3430

BB: t3285



Pre-flop: (9 players) ELMO is SB with 7♠ 7♣

UTG raises to t800, 6 folds, ELMO calls t600 (pot was t1850), BB raises all-in t3235, UTG calls t2435 (pot was t5285), ELMO raises all-in t3380, UTG calls t145 (pot was t10300).



Flop: T♥ 2♦ A♥ (t10445, 1 player + 2 all-in - Main pot: t10155, Sidepot 1: t290)





Turn: 3♣ (t10445, 1 player + 2 all-in - Main pot: t10155, Sidepot 1: t290)





River: A♣ (t10445, 1 player + 2 all-in - Main pot: t10155, Sidepot 1: t290)





Results:

Final pot: t10445

BB shows 3h As

UTG shows Ks Qd

ELMO shows 7s 7c



I had a good chance to triple up, but vs. 3 overs, not surprising I lost. I was left with a piddling 290 chips. The big blind was 400, with a 25 ante, so I was toast. There were a couple limpers, and I figure 63s might play OK in a multi-way pot. Further, the antes will eat away my stack quickly, so why not try to get lucky now.

Ultimate Bet

No Limit Holdem Tournament

Blinds: t200./t400.

(Ante: t50)

10 players

Converter



Stack sizes:

UTG: t15650

UTG+1: t7160

UTG+2: t19460

MP1: t5085

MP2: t5255

MP3: t9095

CO: t12315

ELMO: t290

SB: t10155

BB: t13780



Pre-flop: (10 players) ELMO is Button with 6♠ 3♠

UTG folds, UTG+1 calls t400 (pot was t1100), 3 folds, MP3 calls t400 (pot was t1500), CO folds, ELMO calls all-in t240, SB calls t200 (pot was t2140), BB checks.



Flop: 8♦ 4♥ Q♣ (t2340, 4 players + 1 all-in - Main pot: t1700, Sidepot 1: t640)

SB checks, BB bets t1000, UTG+1 raises to t2500, 3 folds.

Uncalled bets: t1500 returned to UTG+1.



Turn: 3♣ (t4340, 1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: t1700, Sidepot 1: t2640)





River: 3♦ (t4340, 1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: t1700, Sidepot 1: t2640)





Results:

Final pot: t4340

UTG+1 shows Ks Qs

ELMO shows 6s 3s


That is right – I had 6 high against a pair of queens, and hit runner-runner 3s!

I was still desperate, of course, but that pot more than quintupled me up.

Next hand – AK

Ultimate Bet

No Limit Holdem Tournament

Blinds: t200./t400.

(Ante: t50)

10 players

Converter



Stack sizes:

UTG: t8350

UTG+1: t19410

UTG+2: t5035

MP1: t5205

MP2: t8645

MP3: t12315

ELMO: t1650

Button: t9705

SB: t12330

BB: t15600



Pre-flop: (10 players) ELMO is CO with A♥ K♠

6 folds, ELMO raises all-in t1600, Button folds, SB calls t1400 (pot was t2700), BB folds.



Flop: J♥ 6♠ 3♣ (t4100, 1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: t4100)





Turn: K♣ (t4100, 1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: t4100)





River: 7♦ (t4100, 1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: t4100)





Results:

Final pot: t4100

SB shows 4s 4d

ELMO shows Ah Ks


And I am above where I started when I had the 77.

I stole the blinds once. Then I get the big blind with a guy who loves button raising. I figure I am going to do a stop-and-go. When the board comes, I figure I get all in either way if behind, but the only way to get all in if I am ahead is to trap. Here is what happened.

Ultimate Bet

No Limit Holdem Tournament

Blinds: t200./t400.

(Ante: t50)

10 players

Converter



Stack sizes:

UTG: t9405

UTG+1: t13330

UTG+2: t14700

MP1: t7450

MP2: t16660

MP3: t5140

CO: t5355

Button: t13780

SB: t12665

ELMO: t4900



Pre-flop: (10 players) ELMO is BB with Q♠ J♠

7 folds, Button raises to t1200, SB folds, ELMO calls t800 (pot was t2300).



Flop: A♥ J♣ 9♠ (t3100, 2 players)

ELMO checks, Button bets t1900, ELMO raises all-in t3650, Button calls t1750 (pot was t8650).



Turn: J♥ (t10400, 1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: t10400)





River: 5♦ (t10400, 1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: t10400)





Results:

Final pot: t10400

Button shows Kc 9h

ELMO shows Qs Js



From here I got aces a couple times, then moved my stack to 25K. Near the bubble, I think I made a mistake making a continuation bet in position w 99 on a KQx board against 2 players, one of whom was belowabove who ch-raised all in, forcing me to fold. This pushed me down to 16K or so. I then got nothing for cards, and was whittled down a bit and my short stack push was called and I busted in the money – doubling the buy in. It always sucks to bust, but that comeback to get ITM is still impressive, IMO. The real money is always in the top 3, so I am a bit disgusted I could not make it farther.

I was impressed with how maniacal below above was near the bubble. I think I may need to study bubble play a bit more.


Crushing Cash Games.

I have been crushing cash games the past few days. I decided to drop down to $1 bb NL SH, and I actually don’t know if I am going to move back up. The players are so much worse that my earn rate might actually be higher at $1 bb/NL. When I first sit down, I try to play like a complete maniac for 15 hands or so – raising half the time. Then I remain aggressive PF, but settle into more of a normal game. The table, however, will not give me any respect. I have had some very loose calls, and I am up about 13 buyins since Sunday playing a limited schedule.

I am off to IA to visit friends for a few days, so I doubt I will play any online poker again until Monday.