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So had my last two FTOPS today, and like the rest, they didn't go too well. I started off with the 256 KO 6 handed, and I started out on fire in that one. I made some great semi bluffs and outright bluffs early on to get me to 8800, compared to my 5k starting stack when this big hand occurred.

So I had AJ in the sb, and utg had min raised. Two people called and it was folded to me. Now I could squeeze here to try to get people out, but more then liekly someone will come along, and I didn't want to have to decide what to do if the flop came KQ2, so I just called. The bb came along too. Flop was a great A94 with 2 spades. UTG raiser bet 320 and the next guy shoved for 2400. Now both of these guys had been playing pretty fast and loose. I was positive that I was ahead of the 2400 shover, was just worried bout the original raiser. But even if I was behind, I had about 4k more then him, so I smooth call. He folds, and the shover shows K8ss for a flush draw. He misses and I get up to 12k!

Sadly, I would not get higher then 13k. Ran into a hand I wouldn't be able to recover from. With KK utg, I raised to 320 and got 3 callers. Flop came J103 with two diamonds. I bet about 800 into the 1500 chip pot. Folded around to the button who min raised. He had been doing that alot, so I thought I was still good. I shove, and he called with 33. I couldn't catch up, and I was back down to 8k.

After that, the crippling hand was at 80 160 with AK. Facing a raise preflop from a new big stack, I 3 bet to 850 and he calls. The flop comes 632. We both check. Turn is another 6 and he checks, and I bet 800. He puts in a small raise to 1900. I raise again to 3600. He shoves, and I have to fold. Well played by him guess he flatted with AA or KK pre.

After that, I got a bit impatient and overplayed 88 post flop. Called an utg riase and check raise shoved a 532 flop and he flipped KK. Oh well.

The Omaha heads up went even worse lol. I had an early lead after turning a Q high flush when this hand came up. I had K985 with two hearts and the flop came 257 with two hearts. I bet he called. Turn was a K, meaning I would now need a K,6,5, or heart on the river. I bet he raises almost all in, and I shove knwoing I'm pretty much guareanteed to be up against a set. Sure enough, he has 22, and I miss the river to get down to 700. From there, two hands later, I get it in on a flop of 1092 with an A high flush draw and inside str8 draw. He shows two pair, 10 9, and I need a J or heart I miss, and I'm a 1st round victim.

All of this is made a bit easier because earlier today, I won the 15 buck super turbo omaha for 800 bucks. Pretty funny cause about 4 months ago, I won the 10 buck heads up and 15 buck omaha super turbo for the 1st time....on the same day. Then..a week after chopping the heads up, I win the omaha today. Good stuff. 600 more comin in the mail, putting my 2010 cashout winnings at a solid 3400 in just two months. Not too shabby. Next up: Mini ftops next month. Going to play at least 10 events. Wish me luck!

So yea I played the 216 7 game on Weds and played the 216 6 handed today and got out early in both. First the 7 game.

I started out quite well in this one. My goal was to not have any really bad sessions. Do my best to be up a bit in each one, but try not to lose alot in 1. That lasted about...3 levels lol. I was up 600 in limit holdem, and was the leader at the table after that round. The key hand was with 10 10 when we maxed out the bets preflop. The flop came 10 high and I check called. Turn brought me a full house and I check raised here. Got another bet in on the river, and I was good.

Next was stud hi lo which didn't start off too well. In one hand, I started with 4 hearts, 3 of them low only to have the non heart KQ10 come which did me no good. Then the next hand I started with a 4 card low, and got 4 clubs showing, but didn't have one underneath and missed all my draws to once again have nothing. But on one of the last hands, I turned a busted flush draw into trip 8's and won a good sized pot to get me back to where I started the level.

In razz, I was up 500 bucks, most of the time just having good low cards showing and raising the bring in with out any opposition. I was feeling good going into omaha hi/lo, but that didn't last too long. I'm not exactly sure what went wrong. I think it was a combination of me playing too many hands, and trying to get players to fold with marginal hands when people just won't fold in a limit game. I ended the level with half of my starting stack, only 2500.

Next was stud and I ended up down just 200 from where I started. On the first hand, I turned a busted flush draw into two pair which was good to get me back up to 3500, but slowly lost it from there. Next was Nl holdem, and I knew I would either double or bust in this level. Sure enough, I got it in with 77 against KQ and held to get up to 3800.

On the first hand of PL omaha, I made trip Kings, but couldn't bet with flush and straight draws on board. It ended up being good, and then I took a gamble with all the winnings from that hand when I called a short stack's all in with 10887 double suited. I missed a big straight draw on the turn, and was back down to 3500 lol. Then I took a pretty big gamble on this hand and went busto. I had AKJ10 suited and raise and got two callers. The flop came A62 rainbow and two of us check to the button who pot bets 1200. I knew I needed to get some chips b4 the limit section came back, so I gamble and went all in knowing full well he likely had two pair. He did A6, so I needed a K, J, 10, or had backdoor flush and str8 draws. Well the turn was the worst possible card. A 6 on the turn meant I was drawing dead.

Onto today's tournament, it didn't last long at all. I made a really bad mistake that will probably bother me for a while, but you have to learn from your mistakes to get better and I certianly will on this one. First off I had a really tough starting table. No names I recognized but all he players were aggressive and played well. I lost 500 early, but got it back on a semi bluff check raise that ended up working out.

Then my bustout hand came. With AQ, I 3 bet a players raise to 400 with blinds at 30 60 and he called. The flop came A104 with two hearts. He checked to me, and I put a small bet of 350 into a 900 chip pot to test the waters/make me look weak. He then raised to 900. Now here's where I made a rookie mistake that I really shouldn't have made. I decided to put a big reraise in there, essentially committing myself to the pot. Now the reraise was not the mistake. I think on this kind of board, I have to reraise to see whee I am. He could be making this move with AJ or A9, but he could also make this move with 1010 or 44. However, by raising so much(it was to 2500 when I had 3800 left) I had bet over half my stack, and had to call him if he went all in, knowing almost for sure that I was beat. The smart play would have been to raise to about 1800, then fold to a shove. By doing that, I can assure myself that I was folding to a better hand, and still left myself with about 2200 in chips with alot of play left. But alas, I commit myself, he shoves, and shows 1010 and I'm practically drawing dead. An A on the turn gives me sick hope but I don't hit it and I'm out in an hour.

That kind of mistake is unacceptable for a player who has played as much as I have, but its a mistake I won't repeat again. Coming up on Sunday, I got the 256 6 handed KO, and the 216 omaha heads up. Hoping for a turn around, as I'm taking tomorrow off from poker for my Birthday!! Thanks for reading.

So tonight I played in the 216 turbo FTOPS. It got just under 3000 people and paid just under 300. Started with 2k in chips, blinds at 15/30, raising every 5 minutes. He's how it went down.

Early on I won a big pot with AQ. Facing a 3 times BB raise on the button, I 3 bet to 480 in the SB with AQ. Flop comes AQJ yahtzee!! I bet out 450 into a 1k pot he shoves and I snap call. He flips KQ, and I hold to get a big early double up to 3800. Well that stack lasted about 1 orbit, before I lost 1300 on this hand. I called a raise to 210 with A9 on the button. The flop came A86 we both check. Turn is a 6 and he bets 350 I called. River was a 7 he bet 650 and I call. He flipped A10. Not much I could do don't think I could play it any different just well played by him and unlucky for me.

From there, I made a few good preflop raises and played fairly aggressively, taking pots preflop with K10, J6, and K9. Then I won a huge pot with AK. With blinds at 60 120, utg shoved for 900, and the next player called. I shove over the top, and it folds around, and the caller folded. The guy flips Q10, and the board comes 8 high and I win the nice sized pot to get up to 5500.

Well this stack lasted all but 2 hands! I got moved, and raised to 550 with AQ. A stack on the button shoves for 3k. I think for a while, and decide to call. He flips AK bad news for me. The flop comes all clubs, and I have the A of clubs. But I can't suck out, and I'm back down to 2500. Pretty sure I have to make that call in this tournament everytime. In a non turbo, I could probably fold, but I still might have called.

After that, I shoved two hands in a row with AK and 99 getting no callers to put me at 3500 with blinds at 150 300. From there, I don't get much, making one shove an orbit to stay even at a table that was very even in chips. Then in the sb, I shove for 3k with K8dd and the bb snap calls having me covered with KQ. Lame. Flop is a great A23 with two diamonds. Need an 8 or a diamond for the big suckout. Turn comes a 4, and the river......a 5 of clubs. So we chop with a straight on board. I'll definitely take it!

With the blinds at 300 600, I am sitting on just 2600 in chips, and I need to make a stand. Facing a big all in preflop raise, I decide to call with the 98 of diamonds. This might seem like a strange play, but lemme explain why I did it. As I said, I was extremely short stacked. When you factor in antes, I was paying almost 1600 every 9 hands. So I had to make a stand at some point. The guy shoved 8k with blinds at 300 600. This made me pretty confident that a good suited connector was a solid shot against his range of hands. He isn't making this raise with JJ or better. He's doing this with AK, AQ, or a low to mid pair. So I decide to take a chance on a good drawing hand to get up to 11 bbs. He flips 33. Great hand for me to see. Flop is an ugly 1063 with one diamond. Need a 7 or running diamonds to win. Turn is both...7 of diamonds! Now I just need to dodge the board pairing to survive. The river....another 7. He wins with a full boat. Lame. Think I def had a shot at a cash if I could have held there, but I had to get butt ass lucky to hit the 7, so I can't be too upset.

Tomorrow morning is my best shot at a deep FTOPS run I think. Its the 216 7 game tournament with a 150k guaranteed prize pool, with around 30k going to first. The tournament is comprised on 7 different games, with the games changing at each blind level. Here's how I would rank my play in the 7 games being played.

1. NL holdem.
2. Stud hi/lo
3. Razz
4. PL Omaha
5. Stud
6. Limit Omaha hi/lo
7. Limit Holdem

For some reason, I suck at limit holdem. Badddd lol. So I'm hoping to get alot of chips in the stud games, and maybe score some KO's in the non limit games. As always, I'll be posting updates on my twitter tayke2. Thanks for reading.

So I've mostly been grinding out the 90 person KO's and other MTT's that I know I can win and today I had a good run. I played 4 90 person KO's. One was a 52 buck, two 26 bucks, and a 13 buck. Well, I made one final table...then another...then another. I ended up final tabling all of them except for one of the 26 bucks.

The first one was a 13 buck where I finished 4th. In that one, I started the final table as the short stack, but I got an early triple up with AK. From there, I mostly stayed quiet and finished with a 4th place for 99 bucks. Then in the 26 buck, I was 7th to start, but I waited for a big hand, got it in, and doubled. I should have been a big stack but lost two big pots to the same guy who got it all in against me behind both times. KK
So tomorrow I'm playing my first of 4 ftops events. The 216 buck turbo with a 500k guaranteed. Played this tournament twice and I got a min cash in one of them. Then, Weds morning I got the 216 buck 7 game with 150k guaranteed. Should be a good event for me I've had good results in the daily 26 buck one, cashing in it more times then not and getting a 5th place showing once. Then Friday morning, I have the 216 buck 6 handed which I'm excited for. Then finally, on Sunday, I have the 256 buck 6 handed KO. Hoping for some good results as I love 6 handed play. Also going to try to satellite into the 216 omaha heads up, as I had a good run in the mini ftops version of that tournament, making it to the round of 64 before I had to leave for a concert. Also going to try a couple times for the main event, but I won't be spending any more then 100 bucks to try to get into it. I'll post updates on my twitter for the FTOPS tournaments this week. Thanks for reading.

*Knock on wood* I've had alot of success recently and in just 12 days of Feb I've profited over 2700 bucks. I've probably cashed out about 1800 of that, with the rest going to ftops seats. Yesterday, I won an 81 person shootout for a 535 FTOPS seat. The shootout seat up is essentially 2 sit n gos. 9 tables of 9 players play to a winner, with the 9 winners making the final table, and playing for 1st. It was a great structure, as they had 1800 in the prize pool, but only paid one seat, with the rest getting money prizes. I ended up winning, and had a decision to make for my 535. I was thinking about this, and I realized that past me would have done something differently.

2007 me- Would be stoked about this huge win and let it ride in the 535 FTOPS shootout that night, only to likely go out in about 5th at my first table.

2008 me- Would have used the 535 to buy into the FTOPS main event to try and recreate my incredible run in the previous FTOPS where I got 186th for 1400 bucks, despite being not nearly the player I am today.

2009 me- Would have registered for 2 or maybe 3(combine the last 100 or so with my bankroll money) and take some big shots.

But 2010 me decided to register for one 216 FTOPS(the 7 game next Wednesday) and take the extra 320 in cash and have profit for the day. The reason is simple. I'm currently unemployed and looking for work but not finding much success. So for now, this is my main source of income. So my strategy is to play smaller tournaments, and make it a goal to profit each day, knowing that my big cash(like the 1200 I got on Wednesday) will come. So this puts me in 3 ftops next week.

Today I woke up early for my standards, lol, 10:30. When going to bed last night, I was trying to decide whether to wake up early and grind the 8 am tournaments(10 buck 6 handed, 5 buck heads up, and 10 buck cubed.) I decided not to, but to wake up for the 15 buck omaha super turbo and the 10 buck heads up, two tournaments I played on a daily basis for a while, but hadn't played in quite some time. The omaha didn't go well, but the heads up went a bit better. I ended up chopping it at the final matchup for 422 bucks. This is the 2nd time I had made it to the final. 1st time I won outright, this time I chopped it even. I played 3 tough matches, including the 1st round, where my opponent had me down to 600 with the blinds at 50 100.

So now I'm sitting pretty in 3 ftops next week. Hoping for the best, as I haven't cashed in an ftops in 2 years. Cross ya fingers. Thanks for reading.

The title says most if it. I just got 5th in the 15 buck super turbo on FTP. Basically what that means is that everyone starts with just 300 chips, and blinds at 15 30. They go up every three minutes. I like these tournaments because it is ALL about picking your spots, which I'm pretty good at. Tons of times I folded a middle ace utg or 2nd position, yet raised with 76 on the button. That's what the tournament is all about.

I chipped up big early, I forget what it was I think I had AA vs two all ins and tripled up. I was able to run a huge stack up through the middle of the tournament, making mostly standard plays. I remember with about 7k or so I called a 3k all in with KQ of diamonds after I raised. He flipped 66. Flop came A109 one diamond. Turn A of diamonds. Meaning I needed a K,Q,J,10,9, or diamond to win. River: 7 of clubs. This would be an indicator of things to come. From there, I played mostly tight and was on a short stack for most of the top 75. With about 36 players left, I got it in AK vs A5 preflop and held to get up to 22k. From there, not much action other then a few big hands. You have to be willing to commit your chips here, and you have to play your big hands. Example was just after that double up, I got 77. The big stack made a standard raise, and I 3 bet to 15k with 10k left behind. He ended up folding. Often times, the middle 3 bet is more powerful in most people's eyes then a "standard" all in. So Slowly I pump it up to 40k with 9 left. I was 8th in chips. But I was able to make a couple all in 3 bets and not get called, and just like that, I had 70k, and was 3rd in chips at the final table.

So at the final table, I get blinded down to 50k with blinds at 3k 6k when I get lucky. I shove the sb for 50k and the bb with 10k more makes a GREAT call with K9. The board runs out a pair with two overs, and we chopped it up. Later, I shoved on the button for 60k with K10 suited, and the same guy calls all in now i barely have him covered. He has 55 and we are off to the races. flop comes 776. Turn...KKKKKKKKK. River blanks and now I'm 2nd in chips. Then I made a slip up. With 140k I raise with AJdd, and the small stack shoves for 40k. Then the sb with 80k shoves and its back to me. This is probably a fold, but I decide I have to play for the win, and with all the chips out there, I have to call. The short stack flips 88 and the other guy flips AQ. Ugh. Need a J. Flop comes 10 10 8 with two diamonds. This is a good and bad flop. The small stack has essentially flopped the nuts and will take the 130k main pot. But there's the 70k side pot I can still win. Turn comes a 7. So on the river I need a J, 9, or diamond to win, or an 8 or 7 to chop it. River....K of spades. So now I'm the short stack again with 50k blinds at 4k 8k. I end up shoving the big stacks min raise with J10cc he flips an ugly KJ. Flop comes A96 with two clubs. Turn blank. River....blank. 3 big draws I missed.

Well 1200 bucks is nice, but top 3 was 2200 plus with first getting 5k so a bit of a disappointing finish. Tonight is the first ftops event, but I don't feel like playing/working to satellite into it. Right now I only have a couple events on my list that I'm registered for. Friday the 19th the 216 6 handed, and Sunday the 21st the 256 6 handed KO. Other tournaments I'm considering are the 216 7 game Wed. the 17th, the 216 Omaha heads up on the 21st, and the 216 turbo on Tuesday the 16th. So stay tuned I'll post here or tweet on my twitter tayke2 if I'm playing.

Last night was one of the best things I have ever witnessed. It was one of those moments that you cannot describe. When the Saints won, I just fell to the floor. I couldn't believe it. I was too in shock to jump up and down or scream or anything like that. It finally came full circle. More then 4 years after the worst natural disaster in US history, New Orleans, was back on top.

I must give props to both of the defenses. In the 1st half, they were the story, allowing just 16 total 1st half points. Then in the second half, a call that will be talked about for years to come. Sean Payton's perfect execution of a surprise onside kick. Alot of props are also due to the kicker, who sold a real kick until the last possible moment. You know it was something they had practiced alot, and they executed to perfections.

The Saints secondary also deserves a ton of credit. Their gameplan was clearly to take Reggie Wayne out of the game and let Garcon, Collie, and Clark beat them. Who would have thought that Peyton Manning would have just one passing TD all game. They played it great, including a game clinching interception that set all of New Orleans off. I could swear that over my screaming in Los Angeles, I could hear Bourbon street partying it up.

And was there better an image then Drew Brees holding his son on the podium. Drew Brees is a real life super hero. He might not have the powers, but he did what every hero does, he gave people hope and happiness. A very well deserved trophy and a big congrats for a man who has worked so hard, and now his goal has been achieved.

Theres not much more to say. What a great season. Stay tuned as later this week, I'll be posting my preview for next year. Its never too early to start looking ahead. Lol thanks for reading, and WHO DATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!

I can't remember a Superbowl in recent memory that I was more excited about. Two great teams that I actually like. I said when the teams were decided that more often than not in the Super Bowl I am pulling against one team rather then for another. This year, I would pull for either one. But I'm sticking to home town allegiance and pulling for the Saints. But who do I think is going to win? We have to break it down into five categories. Offense, Defense, Special Teams, Coaching, and Intangibles. Lets get Started.

Offense: For this lets break it down into 3 categories: QB, RB, and WR.
QB: What a treat this is. The two best quarterbacks in the game playing for the biggest prize in the game. On one side, Peyton Manning: a first ballot hall of famer who has already collected more MVP's then anyone in NFL history, and is looking to cement himself as one of if not the greatest Quarterbacks of all time. The other side, a man who is trying to get where Manning is. Everyone knows about Brees now, and he will be looking to win on the world's greatest stage.
Advantage: Push.

Running backs: The Colts have Joseph Addai and Donald Brown. Both solid players, but they are definitely not the first option on the team. For the Saints, while Reggie Bush gets all the media coverage, Pierre Thomas is the #1 back on this team. Bush will come in for a few exciting plays, and Mike Bell will also see time as a change up back. Advantage: Saints.

Wide Receivers: Reggie Wayne will be the best receiver on the field, but overall, the Saints have the better WR corp. In any game, Colston, Meachem, or Henderson could be the star, and Brees is one of the best when it comes to spreading the ball around. Advantage: Saints

Overall Advantage: Saints (though its a very slight one)

Defense: Coming into media week, the biggest question is the status of Dwight Freeney. He's playing on a hurt ankle, and its not know whether he can play. Lets be real. This is the Super Bowl. Freeney will find a way on that field. He is the best Defensive player in all of the NFL arguably, and he will find his way into the game.

For the Saints, their Defense is vastly improved from last year, thanks in large part to Darren Sharper. Having said that, the Saints still aren't that great a defensive team. I believe they were around 25th overall in the NFL. Its a defense that thrives on Turnovers, and unfortunately for them, there wont be many to be had against Peyton Manning.

Advantage: Colts

Special Teams: Matt Stover is the solid veteran kicker for the Colts, but I'm not sure how reliable he will be from 50 yards, which could force them to go for some 4th downs around the 30 yard line. And Reggie Bush, while his judgment isn't always the best, is one of the best punt returners in the league. The Colts will definitely be looking to kick away form him, because if he can get his hands on a punt, watch out. And I'm sold on Garret Hartley's nerves. In what is the 2nd biggest kick in any kickers' career(to get his team into the Super Bowl) the young Hartley perfectly split the uprights, showing the Saints he can handle the pressure.

Advantage: Saints.

Coaching: Jim Cadwell vs Sean Peyton. I don't want to make huge judgments here because it is obviously difficult to know the strengths of the coaches without working closely with the team. But Peyton is very great at Gameplanning, and I'm still bitter that Cadwell benched his starters with a perfect season on the line.

Advantage: Saints

Intangibles- This could be any number of things. But for me, the most prominent one one is experience. Here are the facts. The Colts have been here before. They know what to expect. The Saints have the pressure of an entire city on their backs. I think the Colts could jump out to a 10 point lead early, which could be all the difference they need in this shootout.

Advantage: Colts

So by my count, the Saints have a 3-2 advantage. However, I'm going against he numbers here. Largely because the Saints have a veryyyy slight advantage on Offense, and the Colts have a biggg advantage on defense. I want the Saints to win, but I think the Colts are the better team. I'm going with the Colts here. As I predicted, I see the Colts jumping out to a 10-0 lead, and holding on to that to pull out the win. Though this could come down to who has the ball last.

Final Prediction: Colts win 34-27.