Who's at your Dream Table?

Photo illustration by Chris Cosenza using NBC photos

This week is the debut of Season 3 of Poker After Dark, and the first episode is being called the Dream Match because the Rutgers student who won the seat in a freeroll got to pick the pros he's playing against this week. Scott and I talked a little bit about this on the show last week, but it got me to thinking: What would be my "Dream" table? Who would I love to play against in a Poker After Dark match? This isn't as easy as it sounds. There are a lot of players out there and only five seats to fill. And do I go with the pros I think I match up well against so I might have a sniff at the $120K? (Stop yer laughin!) Or do I go with my idols? Maybe I pick pros that get on each other's nerves, allowing me to sneak past them as they gun for each other? (I said quit yer laughin!)

After some careful consideration I decided I would want to play against a combination of all of these. So, here's my table:

Seat No. 1: Me
Seat No. 2: Todd Brunson. He's hilarious (even if he still doesn't know who I am after a few conversations at the WPT and WSOP events plus numerous AIM messages) and he's brilliant. His Stud/8 chapter changed my poker life. I can think a few things more entertaining than sitting next to him for a few hours (provided I last that long).
Seat No. 3: Doyle Brunson. Do I really need a reason? Plus with Dolly on Todd's left maybe Todd will loosen up and remember who the hell I am.
Seat No. 4: Daniel Negreanu. This was a tough pick for me. I've met Daniel on numerous occasions and he was pretty damn cool. He's a chatter box at the table and his ability to put people on hands and then announce it to everyone is pretty astounding. And, if I want to play the best I'd have to have him there, plus Scott Long got to play with him in the Vinny Lecavalier tournament and I didn't, and I just can't live with that for much longer.
Seat No. 5: Phil Hellmuth. He's my first poker hero, and even though his ego is 11 times too big for a human, he really is the best NLHE tournament player ever. I love the guy, and with the players I have flanking him, he's sure to go off on someone. I'd love to play a hand badly against him and have him berate me! It would crush me a little, but it would be so priceless.
Seat No. 6: Phil Ivey. He's my favorite player, and clearly I'd want him on my right. Plus with him acting AFTER Hellmuth you know he's just going to make the Poker Brat go insane!

Who just missed the cut?
Kenna James: He's a friend of mine now and I've actually sat down with him and played before, so I think he'd understand if I left him off the roster.
Barry Greenstein: I wanted to play against him because he's so good and so funny, but if he's at the same table as Ivey they won't care about playing and the prop bets would drive me insane.
Freddy Deeb: Yes, I know, he's my BFF, but Negreanu might accuse him of "Going South" in a tournament and who knows what the hell might happen then!

I could list dozens of players, but instead I was hoping you'd tell me who's be sitting at your Dream Table and why?

-- Chris

AIPS III Event #1 open for registration

AIPS III Event #1 (Limit Hold'em) has been created and is now open for registration.

Click here for all the details on the Ante Up! Intercontinental Poker Series.

- SCOTT

AIPS III: (Almost) All the Info

The Ante Up Intercontinental Poker Series, Ante Up!'s official listener tournament series, is back for its third season. Here is just about everything you need to know (except exact dates of each event, which will be added as we know them).

WHERE

FullTilt. Password for all events is "anteup".

WHEN

Thursdays at 9 p.m. or Saturdays at noon, Eastern time. All events have a $5+$0.50 buy-in, except where noted). Here's the schedule:

Thursday, January 17, 9 p.m. - Limit Hold'em (Champion: Zerkaboid)
Thursday, February 21, 9 p.m. - Stud (Champion: NewtSkins)
Thursday, March 27, 9 p.m. - No-Limit Hold'em (Champion: lj47)
Saturday, April 26, noon - Pot-Limit Omaha (Champion: theron74)
Thursday, May 22, 9 p.m. - No-Limit Hold'em rebuy (Champion: rascony)
Thursday, June 26, 9 p.m. - Razz
July - Pot-Limit HA (Hold'em/Omaha Hi)
August - Stud 8
September - No-Limit Hold'em 6-handed
October - Limit Omaha 8
November - No-Limit Hold'em double stack ($10+$1)
December - HORSE Main Event double stack ($24+$2)

PRIZES

The winner of each event gets their very own plastic banana trophy, suitable for showing off to your friends and family. if you finish in the top 20 percent of the field, you'll earn cold, hard cash from FullTilt and, more importantly, AIPS Player of the Year points. At the end of the series, the player with the most points will be crowned AIPS Player of the Year, win an incredibly tacky and unique trophy and be invited to be a guest on Ante Up! Gambit727 has graciously agreed to a new, one-year contract as Official Scorekeeper, thereby letting us have a scapegoat for any scoring questions, concerns or gripes.

BOUNTIES

Knock out Scott (OffDeadline), Chris (willhopper), Fasso (stpetebeach) or Columbo (columbo) in any event, and you'll get a public mention on this blog for this very important achievement. However, you'll no longer earn bonus points or swag. (Don't get greedy on us!)

WHAT ELSE?

We forget something? Well, just let us know and we'll try to answer it. Good luck!

- SCOTT

Episode #133: 'Kongkeys' Year-End Poker Awards

MAIN TOPIC

... and the winner is ... you, the listeners! Sit back and enjoy the second annual Kongkeys, our annual irreverent look back at the year in poker. Click here to listen the show.

The winners:

The “See, Politicians Don’t Need to be Hating on Poker” Award and Third base Kongkey
To the Florida Legislature and Gov. Charlie Crist.

Liger Kongkey

To Chris, for wimping out in the Paul Wasicka interview.

The “Our Security is Iron-Clad and No One Can Penetrate It. Wait, They Did? Really? Our Bad” Award
To Absolute Poker.

Round Mound of Rebound Kongkey

To Barry Greenstein, because about half of that interview had to be redone because of a technical difficulty.

The “New Poker Strategy Book Of The Year” Award
To the FullTilt Poker Strategy Guide: Tournament Edition, edited by Michael Craig.

Flomax Kongkey

To Real Deal Poker Academy owner John Plenzick, for his story about the most shocking thing he's ever seen at a table.

The “This is the New Pocket Aces” Award
To A-10.

Cheech and Chong Kongkey, or The Chongkey

To Eugene Todd Bro.

The “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” Award
To all the payment processors who went all chicken-livered on us proud Americans and pulled out of the U.S. market.

Eunuch Kongkey

To Jose Canseco.

The “What Have You Done for Us Lately? Wow, A Lot” Award
To Nikademus, for his most awesome fan Web site that chronicles all of the past Ante Up! shows.

Alexis Carrington Kongkey

To Mike Fasso.

The “Most Painful Hand of the Week Resolution in History” Award
To Scott from Texas.

Globetrotter Kongkey

To Scott Long, because no one has gotten more material out of traveling.

The “Roadtrip of the Year” Award
To Scott and Mike’s L.A. trip.

COURTNEY FRIEL KONGKEY

To Sabrina Gadecki.

The “Most Frightening Development in Poker” Award
To the swift acceptance of electronic poker tables.

The “Is That a Chip or a Saucer?” Award
To Monster Chips.

OTHER TOPICS

AIPS III: It starts in January with just a few nips and tucks. Look for the upcoming post with all the details. And AIPS II POY Corey Furbee picks up his trophy in person!

Poker After Dark debuts: In just a few days. Oh, and former hostess Shana is with child. (Photo courtesy NBC).

Too bounty ... or not to bounty: We chat a bit more about what the strategy for bounty tournaments should be ... and whether you even should play them.

Here's how you say it .... (Thanks to Clever Moniker) and this is how you spell it: Potawatomi Casino.

It's no wonder nobody likes onions: A self-proclaimed "hilarious" podcast Nobody Likes Onions has apparently launched an attack on our forum. But it beats us what, how, when or why.

Tampa Bay Poker Replay: A gentle reminder to local poker room managers to let us know what's going on!

One Minute Mystery: Columbo had A-K, but no diamonds, and our set holds up. Did you have the moxie to call?

HAND OF THE WEEK

Amy from New York (BerniceQ) writes in with a Stud 8 hand from a low-limit FullTilt table.

She brings it in with (6-6) 3 with mostly high cards on board and gets three callers.

On Fourth Street, she picks up a third 6 and raises it when a K-10 bets out. She gets a caller from J-7 and the original bettor.

On Fifth Street, she picks up an Ace and raises the K-K-10 and takes down the pot.

Chris doesn't like to play around in Stud 8, so he likes this play. While Scott doesn't hate it, he wonders if we were in good enough shape that we should have tried to entice the third player to see one more card.

NEXT WEEK'S SHOW

Poker resolutions for 2008

- SCOTT

Heads-Up Invitees announced

I'm back from vacation and absolutely swamped! If you've emailed me over the past 10 days or so I've been out of the office and it might be a while before I can answer. But one email that did catch my eye was from our friend on the inside at Poker PROductions, Dennis Oehring. No, they haven't extended Scott and me an invitation to play on Poker After Dark just yet, but he did send me a link to those who have been invited to play this year in the NBC National Heads-Up Championship. Again, my name is not on this list for some reason, but I'm working in it. Here is the link, and remember, they are only invited. There's no guarantee they accepted or will be playing. Notice Jerry Yang's name on there. I'd love to see him play in this and watch him shove with J8 again.

I also asked Dennis about Shana's departure from PAD to see what the deal is and I'm waiting for a response. Never hurts to try, and maybe he'll tell me if she's still doing the Heads-Up show.

-- Chris

Knockout tournaments: Down for the count for me

This weekend as I wrapped the last of my Christmas presents and finally finished off Ken Burns' The War (good, good stuff but, man, did it seem like it lasted longer than the actual war), I tried a couple of FullTilt's new Knockout tournaments.

"Knockout" is just a longer and less cool word for "Bounty." A portion of your entry fee goes to a bounty on your head. For each player you scalp, you collect his bounty. The pay table, of course, is dialed back a bit to accommodate the bounties.

What I found is to be successful in these tournaments, you need to play a style that I'm not comfortable with - hyperaggressive. For example, in a $3+0.30 KO tournament, 50 cents goes toward your bounty. To earn your entry free back, you'll need to knock out seven of the 90 entrants. (Of course, if you succeed in doing that you're likely well on your way to a top 9 finish and cashing).

Since you have to have more chips than an opponent in order to knock him out (master of the obvious!), I'm thinking the correct strategy to maximize ROI is to build up a stack early so you can attack those smaller stacks. And that means pushing the action and gambling early - pretty much the opposite of what you typically want to do in a double stack tournament.

So, for that reason, I'm not seeing a compelling reason to play these. The devil's advocate in me does make a good case for using these tournaments to learn to be more aggressive, which is definitely a weakness in my no-limit tournament play. And nothing says you have to win back your entire entry fee in bounties - even two or three consistently can go a long way toward improving ROI.

But for me, I think I'm going to tell FullTilt "thanks, but no thanks" for this new wrinkle.

How about you?

- SCOTT

Happy Holidays!

On behalf of Chris, Fasso, Deb, all of Team Ante Up! and the Long Family Christmas Tree, have a terrific holiday season and a happy new year!

- SCOTT

Spammed? Let us know

Several TampaBay.com bloggers are reporting that more and more legitimate blog comments are being flagged as spam by Typepad.Com filters.

We know that's happened to some of you. Typepad has detailed an administrator workaround so we can get those legitimate comments posted. So if your comment is flagged a spam, e-mail us and tell us under which post your comment was and we'll try to get it up.

- SCOTT

Episode #132: AIPS Player of the Year

MAIN TOPIC

Ante Up Intercontinental Poker Series II Player of the Year Corey Furbee (c furbee) gives us a ring to tell us about his championship run, how he got started in poker and how he found Ante Up! He won two bananas en route to this year's title. Click here to listen to the show.

And Chris and I hope to have the details for AIPS III ironed out in time for next week's show. If you have suggestions, post them here.

OTHER TOPICS

Shana's out: Of Poker After Dark, that is. We don't have many details, but the new hostess is the "Poker Princess" Marianela Pereyra. (That's her here in a photo courtesy of NBC).

Limit questions: Blog posters are unanimous that you shouldn't continuation bet in a no-fold'em hold'em game. Scott agrees - though argues doing it when you're on the button can work. Chris isn't sold. (What does he know about limit anyhow?) And Scott wondered if he should have raised on the river with the nut flush (he didn't), with a player to act behind him. Chris convinces him of the errors of his ways.

Presidential poker: Michael Shackleford of Wizard of Odds says only two candidates have public opinions on online gambling. Republican Ron Paul wants online gambling regulated, while Republican Mike Huckabee is against online gambling.

Ante_Up_Fans: James from New York is finding out just how expansive and friendly the Ante Up Nation is. Every time he sits down on FullTilt, his online handle (ante_up_fan) gets noticed. Awesome!

Tampa Bay Poker Replay: Two cool promotions coming up. The Silks at Tampa Bay Downs is giving away $599 every half hour on Christmas Eve (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.) to the highest hand. And Derby Lane is planning "The Pretender" tournament on Jan. 13. It's heads-up. Field is 100 players for $100 entry, top 7 make the money.

HAND OF THE WEEK

Jason "Chipstakked" of Blue Springs, Missouri, offers up a no-limit hold'em hand from a $50 buy-in live MTT. There are 27 of 40 players remaining when he tangles with Villain, who is the chipleader and has been aggressive, raising and reraising with marginal hands.

The Villain limps, and Jason looks down at Ac-10d in the small blind and limps, too. The big blind comes along.

The flop: As-10c-6h.

We advocate check-raising against an aggressive opponent here, but Jason settles on a "small ball" strategy and bets out the minimum of 200. The BB folds, and the Villain calls.

The turn: 5d.

No danger here, so Chris is ready to end it. But Jason sticks to his guns and bets the minimum again and the Villain calls.

The river: 4h.

Doubtful this card hurt us, unless the Villain was sticking around with pocket 4s or a crazy gutshot draw. Just as Jason announces "bet," the Villain moves all in. Jason's 500-chip bet is binding ... but he decides he's good and makes the all-in call. We agree, reasoning that the Villain is unlikely to have a better hand.

We all played it right, as the Villain turned over A-4.

Scott makes a case for how Jason's "small ball" tactic likely made him more money.

NEXT WEEK'S SHOW

Our annual "Kongkeys" - the year's best in poker and Ante Up. Please e-mail us with suggestions on categories and winners! Let's make it fun!

- SCOTT

One Minute Mystery: The Case of the Funhouse Mirror

A little twist this week: Columbo is the opponent, and we have to ponder what he's doing.

It's Level II of the AIPS Main Event no-limit hold'em tournament.

Columbo min raises, and we look down at JJ on the button and reraise.

The flop: 8d-Jd-Ad.

Columbo checks, and we put out a pot-sized bet, which Columbo calls.

The turn: Kh.

Columbo pushes all-in.

What does he have? And what do we do?

Times file photo

WTO settlement is $21 million a year

There's not much for online gamblers to like in World Trade Organization rulings this week on the U.S. government's efforts to curtail online gambling.

The biggest news came today, when a 88-page ruling from the WTO awarded the island of Antigua $21 million a year in trade sanctions against the United States. The nation had asked for $3.4 billion; the U.S. countered with $500,000.

Sounds like Antigua will recoup its money by making copies of copyright CDs and DVDs, which the U.S. isn't happy about. The $21 million is per year, until the U.S. government rescinds online gambling restrictions or restricts online wagering on horse and dog races.

A couple of interesting quotes from Associated Press and Bloomberg News stories:

From Bloomberg: "There is no way the gambling industry is getting anything out of this," said David Christy, a partner at Miller & Chevalier in Washington and a WTO lawyer not involved in the case.

From AP: The WTO arbitration panel said it had to adopt its own approach to come up with a fair retaliation figure in view of the wide difference in how the U.S. and Antigua estimated the economic effect of the gambling ban. "In doing so, we feel we are on shaky grounds," the panel said in an 88-page decision.

In any case, despite the U.S. government's ire over how Antigua may recoup its judgement, poker players who were hoping a large judgement would lead to looser online gambling laws, so sorry.

- SCOTT

We've been elfed!

Ante Upper detourglr shot this video at the Ante Up! Holiday Party, sponsored by Office Max. And to think, Fasso and Chris don't even drink!

- SCOTT

AIPS Player of the Year: C furbee

Congrats to C furbee, winner of the second AIPS Player of the Year trophy. And it sounds like C furbee is even going to come to the studio this Friday for his congratulatory on-air interview. C furbee won not one, but two bananas this year en route to slipping past early leader Blazman.

And congrats to all the top finishers and, heck, everyone who played this year. It was a lot of fun.

So now you get to tell us what you'd like to see done differently in AIPS III, which I imagine we'll launch next month. Post suggestions here, or e-mail them to us.

- SCOTT

AIPS II Main Event Champion: JLBSox

Congratulations to JLBSox, who wins the final and most important AIPS II banana as champion of the Double Stack No-Limit Hold;em event, which drew 90 entrants.

JLBSox won the last hand against Turley11, when his J-9 paired on the flop to catch up to Turley's A-9. Congrats to the entire final table. We're eagerly awaiting the official winner's envelope from Gambit to announce the AIPS II Player of the Year.

Bounties go to:

• • acumen53 (Scott "OffDeadline" 19th place - that's right - it took a WSOP Main Event Final Tabler to tame this bad boy ... and on a suckout no less)
  • bill_celtic (Fasso "stpetebeach" 32nd place)
  • Torquenada Jr (Chris "willhopper" 58th place)
  • ornycjv (Columbo "columbo" 87th place)

  Click here for the Player of the Year standings. (Special thanks to Ante Up! scorekeeper Gambit for compiling them and the first bananahead of the year Blazman for hosting the results).

  Click here for to review all the winners this year!

  - SCOTT

Congratulations to JLBSox, who wins the final and most important AIPS II banana as champion of the Double Stack No-Limit Hold;em event, which drew 90 entrants.

JLBSox won the last hand against Turley11, when his J-9 paired on the flop to catch up to Turley's A-9. Congrats to the entire final table. We're eagerly awaiting the official winner's envelope from Gambit to announce the AIPS II Player of the Year.

Bounties go to:

• • acumen53 (Scott "OffDeadline" 19th place - that's right - it took a WSOP Main Event Final Tabler to tame this bad boy ... and on a suckout no less)
  • bill_celtic (Fasso "stpetebeach" 32nd place)
  • Torquenada Jr (Chris "willhopper" 58th place)
  • ornycjv (Columbo "columbo" 87th place)

  Click here for the Player of the Year standings. (Special thanks to Ante Up! scorekeeper Gambit for compiling them and the first bananahead of the year Blazman for hosting the results).

  Click here for to review all the winners this year!

  - SCOTT

Congratulations to JLBSox, who wins the final and most important AIPS II banana as champion of the Double Stack No-Limit Hold;em event, which drew 90 entrants.

JLBSox won the last hand against Turley11, when his J-9 paired on the flop to catch up to Turley's A-9. Congrats to the entire final table. We're eagerly awaiting the official winner's envelope from Gambit to announce the AIPS II Player of the Year.

Bounties go to:

• • acumen53 (Scott "OffDeadline" 19th place - that's right - it took a WSOP Main Event Final Tabler to tame this bad boy ... and on a suckout no less)
  • bill_celtic (Fasso "stpetebeach" 32nd place)
  • Torquenada Jr (Chris "willhopper" 58th place)
  • ornycjv (Columbo "columbo" 87th place)

  Click here for the Player of the Year standings. (Special thanks to Ante Up! scorekeeper Gambit for compiling them and the first bananahead of the year Blazman for hosting the results).

  Click here for to review all the winners this year!

  - SCOTT

JLBSox won the last hand against Turley11, when his J-9 paired on the flop to catch up to Turley's A-9. Congrats to the entire final table. We're eagerly awaiting the official winner's envelope from Gambit to announce the AIPS II Player of the Year.

Bounties go to:

• acumen53 (Scott "OffDeadline" 19th place - that's right - it took a WSOP Main Event Final Tabler to tame this bad boy ... and on a suckout no less)
• bill_celtic (Fasso "stpetebeach" 32nd place)
• Torquenada Jr (Chris "willhopper" 58th place)
• ornycjv (Columbo "columbo" 87th place)

Click here for the Player of the Year standings. (Special thanks to Ante Up! scorekeeper Gambit for compiling them and the first bananahead of the year Blazman for hosting the results).

Click here for to review all the winners this year!

- SCOTT

Episode #131: Holiday Poker Gift Guide

MAIN TOPIC

Just 11 shopping days left before Christmas, so there's no time to waste on looking for great poker gifts for your loved ones. Good thing you have us to go out and scout the weird, wacky and maybe even useful items being peddled this year. Click here to listen to the show. Remember - lots of great Ante Up! products also available at our CafePress store! What others are selling:

Personalized Poker Tavern Sign: Get your name on a tavern sign for your poker room. ($44.95, Exclusively Weddings).

Poker Chip Cufflinks: When the invitation says "Black Tie," don't share up without these jewels hanging from your wrists. (14.99 pounds, DrinkStuff.com)

Poker Chip Chair: You've built your table, so buy some chairs. These have a poker chip cushion for your rump and a fanned-out royal flush for your back. ($142.99, LogoProducts4Less).

Star Wars Poker Chip Set: May the Force be with you as you play with these themed chips and cards that glow in the dark. ($149.95, Sharper Image).

Poker Chip USB Flash Drive: Store your FullTilt hand histories on this 1GB drive with poker touches. ($17.99, Staples).

Abstract Poker Art: Jazz up that poker room with some unique paintings. (Various prices, Sculptr).

Poker-Themed Tools: Admit it - you've always been upset that your pizza cutter didn't have spades, diamonds, hearts and clubs on it. Now, your dreams have come true. (Various prices, Poker Fan Addicts).

River Rim Shaded Sunglasses: These specs are shaded on the top to hide your eyes but light on the bottom so you can see your cards. ($88.88, BigFish Poker).

Eat Sleep Poker Cap: The only three things you need to do in life, emblazoned on one hat. ($16.99, Pixel Gear).

Intimate Poker Cards: Introduce your loved one to the game you love, with an activity that we all love. ($9.99, CandleLight Messages).

World Poker Tour Pinball Machine: It's a great time-filler for the loser who busts out of your tournament first! ($4,500, Stern Pinball Inc.).

Pot Committed Card Guard: This card guard shows that you're pot-committed - literally - since there's a picture of a marijuana leaf on it. ($16.99, Poker Weights).

de-FIB-ulator: This handy gadget uses voice cues to tell you whether your opponent is lying. Montel Williams says so. ($39.95, Gadget Universe).

Poker Address Labels: Quit using those charity ones you get in the mail unsolicited and don't donate to. Instead, these labels have your name, address, cards, chips and, for some reason, dice. ($8.99, Colorful Images).

Poker Medal: Honor the next champ in your home tournament with a gold, silver or bronze poker medal. ($2.29, Crown Awards).

OTHER TOPICS

Scott freezes in Wisconsin: Check out his earlier post, and the poker is good in the frigid state, especially if you like kill games and cool accents.

Limit heads-up: Fasso got us thinking this week about strategy for limit hold'em heads-up SNGs after he watched Michael Craig destroy all comers. Fasso says you can use something called a Truth Tree to plot the right moves. Scott tried it, won and got verbally abused by his opponent (17 references ranging from "donk" to "luckbox" to "tool.")

Cool tune: Be sure to listen Ante Upper Luigi Cappel's great podsafe song, "I Tilted."

Priest playing poker? Chris was entranced this week by news that a priest, Paul Kammen, is among the Ante Up Nation flock. And a priest who has penned books on stud, no less.

New on the tube: Michael from England alerts us to Food Poker, a new show on BBC where chefs get two hole cards with ingredients, and have to make a tasty dish using three ingredients from a community board. And Mike Greenberg hosts a new ABC show called Duel that's supposed to marry Who Wants to Be a Millionaire with the World Series of Poker.

Hotline: Two good calls this week - Brian from Chicago wants to know how we pick the Hand of the Week and Thitsa from New York tells us CardPlayer Cruises are the real deal.

Tampa Bay Poker Replay: Scott fills you in on the new Silks cardroom at Tampa Bay Downs, and Derby Lane is hosting a tournament with Fisher from 97X.

One Minute Mystery: Columbo folds his three ducks, and never finds out if it was truly the best decision as his opponent wouldn't tell him what he had.

HAND OF THE WEEK

Ben from Wisconsin sends us a $1/$2 no-limit hand from a charity casino.

With two callers, he bumps it to $8 from the small blind with Qd-Qc, and the callers call. We're not a fan of the smallish raise, but Ben likes to play small ball.

The flop: Qs-9d-2h.

A great flop, and Ben wants to string his opponents along, so he checks. (We advocate betting out). The button bets $10, and Ben calls as does the third opponent.

The turn: 10s

Trouble begins - a gutshot straight could have gotten there, so Ben bets $35 to find out. He's raised to 70 and the button folds. Ben calls.

The river: 7h

No improvement for Ben, but no spade if his opponent was on an odd flush draw. Ben folds his hand face-up to a $70 bet, and saves himself some cash. His opponent had J-8. 

NEXT WEEK'S SHOW

We're hoping to interview the AIPS Player of the Year (so if that's you, get in touch with us ASAP about your availability for a phone interview around 1 p.m. Eastern on Friday). If not, we'll do our annual Kongkeys - that's right, our awards for all things poker. Have an idea for a category? Or a winner? Let us know!

- SCOTT

New Silks cardroom is awesome

I scooted over to Tampa Bay Downs last night to check out their new Silks cardroom, and let me say this: our good friend Patrick Murphy is giving our good friend Sam Minutello and his One-Eyed Jack's a run for his money for nicest cardroom in the Tampa Bay area.

The room is brand new on the third floor of the grandstand. It's a very classy room. Beautiful artwork of horses on the walls, bold, modern signage and lots and lots of room. It was dark out when I went, but I can only imagine how cool the room-length windows to the track are during racing days. Brand new tables and really nice new chips, too. There's a separate bar/grill area with tables.

Sadly for me, the same games as the last time I visited were the only ones going: $1/$2 no-limit, $2/$5 no-limit and $2/$4 limit (though they did make an announcement late in the night trying to get a stud 8 game going. yay!). I imagine on weekends the offerings are more diverse. The evening multi drew only 28 players (paying top 4), but SNGs filled up regularly. (Seemed like the $100 6-handeds were most popular).

The offered a 30-minute high hand jackpot, with the winner getting a seat to their January WSOP satellite.

I parked myself in a limit game while I waited for my $65 SNG to fill up and had one of those typical low-limit hold'em nights. Get pocket Aces, win a small pot. Get pocket Jacks, get 6 callers and have to bail after my continuation bet on an A-K flop didn't scare anyone off. Ugh. Dropped $19.50.

But my SNG was a thing of beauty. Made it into the money (top 3 in a 10-handed field pay), and talked my opponents into a chop. We gave the chip leader a little extra, but my $150 (minus $10 tip) left me a winner for the night.

At one point near the end, the last two guys joked that they had never seen my cards. Actually, it wasn't a joke. I showed down just one hand the entire tournament - pocket 10s when I got it all in preflop with a shorter stack. They joked that I was going to "fold into the money." Actually, it wasn't a joke. It was very strategic. I won a pot or two when I needed to to stay afloat, waited for everyone else to knock themselves out, and then turned up the gas and stole blinds left and right at the end.

I have a few funny stories from the tournament to share on this week's show, but here was the pivotal hand. I'm interested to hear how The Nation would have played this:

In Level 3 (100-200), I'm dealt 6c-5s in the big blind and check to a flop that gives me an open-ended straight draw. I check, hoping for a free card for my straight, but call a 200 bet. Three of us to the turn, which completes my straight ... but puts three spades on the board ... and gives me an open-ended straight flush draw.

I check, the 200-bettor bets another 200 and then the tightest woman I've ever seen at a table min raises to 400. (She was so tight that no matter what suits she was dealt, they were diamonds by the time she was done with them). To me, it was very easy to see that she made her flush, which means that I'm drawing to two outs for my straight flush. To call would have left with me with only 500 chips or so - and I have the original raiser behind me.

I thought long and hard, and decided it just wasn't worth the risk. The initial raiser stuck around, but folded to her river bet when a fourth spade hit (and not one that would have completed my straight flush). She flashed Qs-Js.

Should I have gambled there ... or was I right to fold?

- SCOTT 

Kill games: Luv 'em, or hate 'em?

Photo by Dave Long

So, I'm back from the glorious frozen tundra of Lambeau Field and the most perfect weekend: brats and beer, Packers and poker. Saturday night, my brother and I ventured over to Potawatomi Bingo Casino in Milwaukee and I had the pleasure of sitting in one of the juiciest $3/$6 limit hold'em games of my life. In just a couple quick hours, I won enough to pay for my plane ticket. Ka-ching.

It was a $3/$6 full kill game (kill means that if someone wins two pots in a row, the limits jump to $6/$12 until the kill player loses. Half-kill would have been $4/$8. In split pot games, kill kicks in when someone scoops).

I loved it. LUVED it. Always have liked kill games, even back in my early days when I sat down in a $4/$8 full kill game at Binion's and racked up chips from people who somehow try to make their living at stakes that low. And I really didn't understand at the time how dangerous a $8/$16 game could be to my bankroll.

But I'm older and wiser these days, and I have to tell you: the $3/$6 full kill is the perfect game for me and my bankroll. I'm normally a $4/$8 player, so $3/$6 lets me mix it up a tad more. And when it shifts to $6/$12, it forces me to play a little better than I probably would at a straight $4/$8 game.

It also doesn't hurt when the first big hand you get (A-K suited) comes in a kill pot, and you raise preflop, bet out when an Ace comes on the flop, keep betting when the turn brings an Ace and the loosest player at the table comes along all the way to the bitter, bitter end. Ahhhhhh....money.

So I ask you, yea or nay on kill games?

- SCOTT

WSOP Schedule announced

The schedule of events for the 2008 World Series of Poker has been released, and take a look at Event No. 8! Thanks to Gambit for alerting us to this.This schedule comes courtesy of PokerNews, and you can see its full story here.

Date Time (Event #) Buy-In

5-28 9 AM Registration Opens, Live Action & Satellites Begin
5-29 Registration, Live Action & Satellites
5-30 Noon (#1) *Pot-Limit Hold'em (3 days) $10,000
5-31 Noon (#2A) No-Limit Hold'em (4 days) Day 1A $1,500
6-1 Noon (#2B) No-Limit Hold'em Day 1B
6-2 Noon (#3) Pot-Limit Hold'em (3 days) $1,500
6-2 5 PM (#4) Mixed Hold'em (Limit/No-Limit, 3 days) $5,000
6-3 Noon (#5) No-Limit Hold'em w/Re-Buys (3 days) $1,000
6-3 5 PM (#6) Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better (3 days) $1,500
6-4 Noon (#7) No-Limit Hold'em (3 days) $2,000
6-4 5 PM (#8) *Mixed Event (3 days) $10,000
(Limit Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better, Seven Card Razz , Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better, No-Limit Holdem, Pot-Limit Omaha, 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball)
6-5 Noon (#9) No-Limit Hold'em / Six Handed (3 days) $1,500
6-5 5 PM (#10) Omaha/Seven Card Stud Hi-Low-8 or Better (3 days) $2,500
6-6 Noon (#11) No-Limit Hold'em Shootout (3 days) $5,000
6-6 5 PM (#12) Limit Hold'em (3 days) $1,500
6-7 Noon (#13) No-Limit Hold'em (3 days) $2,500
6-7 5 PM (#14) *Seven Card Stud (3 days) $10,000
6-8 Noon (#15) Ladies No-Limit Hold'em World Championship (3 days) $1,000
6-8 5 PM (#16) Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better (3 days) $2,000
6-9 Noon (#17) No-Limit Hold'em Shootout (3 days) $1,500
6-9 5 PM (#18) No-Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball w/Re-Buys (3 days) $5,000
6-10 Noon (#19) Pot-Limit Omaha (3 days) $1,500
6-10 5 PM (#20) Limit Hold'em (3 days) $2,000
6-11 Noon (#21) No-Limit Hold'em (3 days) $5,000
6-11 5 PM (#22) H.O.R.S.E. (3 days) $3,000
6-12 Noon (#23) No-Limit Hold'em (3 days) $2,000
6-12 5 PM (#24) Pot-Limit Holdem/Omaha (3 days) $2,500
6-13 Noon (#25) *Heads Up No-Limit Hold'em (256-player max, 3 days) $10,000
6-13 5 PM (#26) Seven Card Razz (3 days) $1,500
6-14 Noon (#27) No-Limit Hold'em (3 days) $1,500
6-14 5PM (#28) Pot-Limit Omaha w/ Rebuys (3 days) $5,000
6-15 Noon (#29) No-Limit Hold'em (3 days) $3,000
6-15 5 PM (#30) *Limit Hold'em (3 days) $10,000
6-16 Noon (#31) No-Limit Hold'em / Six Handed (3 days) $2,500
6-17 Noon (#32) No-Limit Hold'em (3 days) $1,500
6-17 5 PM (#33) *Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better (3 days) $5,000
6-18 Noon (#34) Pot-Limit Omaha W/Re-Buys (3 days) $1,500
6-18 5 PM (#35) Seven Card Stud (3 days) $1,500
6-19 Noon (#36) No-Limit Hold'em (3 days) $1,500
6-19 5 PM (#37) *Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better (3 days) $10,000
6-20 Noon (#38) Pot-Limit Hold'em (3 days) $2,000
6-21 Noon (#39) No-Limit Hold'em (3 days) $1,500
6-22 Noon (#40) *H.O.R.S.E. (5 days) $50,000
6-22 5 PM (#41) Mixed Hold'em (limit/no-limit, 3 days) $1,500
6-23 Noon (#42) *Seniors No-Limit Hold'em (3 days) $1,000
6-24 Noon (#43) Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-low Split-8 or Better (3 days) $1,500
6-25 Noon (#44) No-Limit Hold'em w/Re-Buys (3 days) $1,000
6-25 5 PM (#45) 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball (Limit) (3 days) $2,500
6-26 Noon (#46) No-Limit Hold'em / Six Handed (3 days) $5,000
6-26 5 PM (#47) Seven Card Stud Hi-Low-8 or Better (3 days) $1,500
6-27 Noon (#48) No-Limit Hold'em (3 days) $2,000
6-28 Noon (#49) No-Limit Hold'em (3 days) $1,500
6-29 Noon (#50) *Pot Limit Omaha (3 days) $10,000
6-29 5 PM (#51) H.O.R.S.E. (3 days) $1,500
6-30 Noon (#52) No-Limit Hold'em (3 days) $1,500
7-1 Noon (#53) Limit Hold'em Shootout (2 days) $1,500
7-2 10 AM Media Event
7-2 Satellite Day
7-2 2 PM Ante Up For Africa Charity Event (1 day) $5,000
7-3 Noon (#54A) *No-Limit Hold'em (Main Event) Day 1A (2,500 players) $10,000
7-4 Noon (#54B) *No-Limit Hold'em (Main Event) Day 1B (2,500 players)
7-5 Noon (#54C) *No-Limit Hold'em (Main Event) Day 1C (2,500 players)
7-6 Noon (#54D) *No-Limit Hold'em (Main Event) Day 1D (2,500 players)
7-7 Main Event Off Day
7-7 Noon (#55) Casino Employees No-Limit Hold'em (2 days) $500
7-8 Noon (#54) *No-Limit Hold'em (Main Event) Day 2A
7-9 Noon *No-Limit Hold'em (Main Event) Day 2B
7-10 Noon *No-Limit Hold'em (Main Event) Day 3
7-11 Noon *No-Limit Hold'em (Main Event) Day 4
7-12 Noon *No-Limit Hold'em (Main Event) Day 5
7-13 Noon *No-Limit Hold'em (Main Event) Day 6
7-14 Noon *No-Limit Hold'em (Main Event) Day 7
7-15 Main Event Off Day
7-16 Noon *No-Limit Hold'em (Main Event) Final Table

* -- indicates 'World Championship' event

We're a widget!

Apparently we're a widget and we didn't even know it. Our news is so small you can fit it on the head of a pin! Well, okay, not really. But look how small it is!!! The Times has had these widgets created for all of our blogs, and Ante Up! is no exception. If you'd like to have this widget on your blog or home page it's real simple: Go here and follow the instructions. The best part is it's still FREE!!!! This way you can keep up with all of the Ante Up! news, including my whining, Scott's losing and Fasso's occasional nugget of wisdom. And if you know anyone else (or anywhere else for that matter) who would want this poker information portal please direct them here.

-- CHRIS

AIPS MAIN EVENT PAYOUT

People have been emailing me today asking if there's something wrong with the payout structure for the Main Event on Saturday. There are 26 players signed up and it's paying 3 spots. That is correct. If we get one more it should bump to four spots. Here is a link to the payout structures for 9-seated multitable tournaments on Full Tilt. We won't panic just yet, and I did send them an email to make sure they stay on top of it.

-- Chris

PRESTO! A very nice online session

Tonight I finally broke through for my first decent winning online session in a LONG time. I'd been taking a break and just occasionally playing freerolls. I still had $18 in my account (minus the Main Event entry). I took that $18 and turned it into $90 tonight with a great rush and patient play. And there was one hand that really got me going.

Oh, and I hereby forfeit my promise to EXCLUSIVELY play the smallest stakes. Tonight I couldn't find a table at $.5-$.10 so I was forced to take my whole bankroll into the $.10-$.25 level. So, from now on I will still strive to play microlimits, but if I venture out to higher limits, don't be looking for a finski.

Here's the hand, but the way they played it was very peculiar. I'd like the Nation's take on their play, and mine, if you don't mind. I've removed extraneous comments like meaningless folds and put my thoughts and comments in bold.

Table Bazmorda (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em
Seat 1: x-chopper-x ($40.80)
Seat 2: willhopper ($24.35) <---- Like I said, I had started with $18 and won a few bucks already from these guys.
Seat 3: BBU_3001 ($25)
Seat 4: whitewest ($15.50)
Seat 5: DoppeleBs ($25.35)
Seat 6: Fish R Fisher ($10.60)
BBU_3001 posts the small blind of $0.10
whitewest posts the big blind of $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to willhopper [5♥ 5♦] <---- on the button.
DoppeleBs calls $0.25
x-chopper-x calls $0.25
willhopper calls $0.25
whitewest raises to $0.50 <---- A minraise in the BB out of position? Why? I generally take this as a very weak play in NLHE. If he had suited connectors this would be a fine move in limit, but in NL it can be rendered useless with just one pot-sized bet. So I'm not sure what to put him on, but I did rule out a big pair since there were so many limpers.
DoppeleBs calls $0.25
x-chopper-x calls $0.25
willhopper calls $0.25 <---- easy call with $2.10 in the pot.
*** FLOP *** [5♣ 2♣ 7♠] <---- And BINGO WAS HIS NAME-O. I have middle set. Someone could have 7-7, but I can't keep thinking that.
whitewest checks
DoppeleBs checks
x-chopper-x checks
willhopper bets $2.10 <---- I bet pot. There are two clubs and two straight draws possible. Someone could have A-4, A-3, and someone could have 6-8, 4-6. You never know.
whitewest calls $2.10 <---- OK, Mr. Minraiser, what do you have? Now I have to put you on a draw, like a suited A♣.
DoppeleBs calls $2.10 <---- Uh-oh, another caller? If he had 7-7 wouldn't he reraise here? I must be good, but what does he have?
x-chopper-x folds
*** TURN *** [5♣ 2♣ 7♠] [6♥]
whitewest checks
DoppeleBs checks
willhopper bets $21.75, and is all in <---- Do you hate or like this move? I felt in my stomach these guys were behind but loved their hands so I protected mine, hoping for a draw to call. There's no way I put someone on 8-9 because that would mean they called a pot-sized bet with a gutshot. I just didn't think they would do that. So I felt I had the nuts at this point.
whitewest has 15 seconds left to act
whitewest calls $12.90, and is all in <---- Since he took so long I knew I was ahead.
DoppeleBs calls $21.75 <---- Uh-oh.
willhopper shows [5♥ 5♦]
whitewest shows [A♣ 3♣] <---- Yeah, pretty much what it had to be, but the minraise preflop now baffles me. What does he hope to accomplish with that manuever? And the all-in call? I can go either way on it. He has any club that doesn't pair the board and the other three fours for 10 outs. Close, but not sure it warrants a call. What do you think? If he doesn't get the overcall behind him he's calling $13 to win $20. Not very good odds.
DoppeleBs shows [6♠ 5♠] <---- Wow! He limped under the gun with this. I guess he has to call the preflop minraise, but how does he check/call after the flop? I bet $2.10 and then there was a call ahead him. How does he think his middle pair is good there? Then when he makes two pair, shouldn't he protect his hand? How does he check/call all-in? Terrible overcall. But he had two outs.
*** RIVER *** [5♣ 2♣ 7♠ 6♥] [T♥] <---- So I had to dodge two sixes on the river as well. WHEW! Finally I win a big pot, and check out the size of the rake. Total pot $64.80 Main pot $47.10. Side pot $17.70. | Rake $3

It felt so good to make the right reads and to have a baby set hold up. After that I played $.5-$.10 PL Hold 'em/Omaha Hi and won another $27. After last week's session at One-Eyed Jacks and this one, my confidence is coming back. Just in time for the AIPS Main Event.

-- Chris

Episode #130: Stud 8

MAIN TOPIC

Fasso joins us to talk about our favorite game - Stud 8 (and to deliver another stirring dramatic reading). Click here to listen to the show. For some really great advice on this great game, we highly suggest you check out Todd Brunson's easy-to-read chapter in Super/System 2 or Ray Zee's book High-Low Split Poker.

But some quick tips from your local experts:

• The goal is to scoop. Make sure your starting hand can do that.
• Start with only strong hands (preferably two-way hands). Bail most times if you don't improve on 4th Street, or you'll get swept into the oh-so-common Stud 8 vortex.
• Jam the pot when you're good.
• Don't always be afraid to call on 7th Street with a marginal high hand, especially if you think your opponent is going low. He/she might not even have a pair.

OTHER TOPICS

Chip Reese, RIP: Truly a sad, and shocking, week for the poker world. Chip was the classiest of class guys. He'll be sorely, sorely missed.

More scandal: FullTilt kicks two players off after one of them sold his account to the other while at the final table of a big event. Bad, bad news. But again - it's online. Be prepared for anything out there, kids.

High Stakes hand: Chris gets amped up over a hand in High Stakes Poker when two players are all-in, but the one with the most money doesn't want to "run it twice," Doyle Brunson pipes up, and then the big stack takes the pot without a turn and river. Odd? Very. But hey, it's a private game. Weird stuff happens, say Fasso and Scott.

E-mails and Hotlines: Our good friends from Down Under let us know that they snicker every time they hear one of us Ugly Americans say "Aussie" when it's actually pronounced "Auzzie" ... Ante Upper Opus is worried about the world now that Chris has been photographed wearing pants ... Ante Upper Jeff tells Chris not to quit online poker, but to play for bigger money. The Ante Up home game thanks Jeff for the suggestion.

Tampa Bay Poker Replay: Chris scores his usual awesome interviews (Sam Minutello, Chip Jett, Gavin Smith (sort of) and Lon McEachern) at One-Eyed Jack's Pros vs. Joes tournament ... the new Silks card room has opened on the 3rd floor of the grandstand at Tampa Bay Downs ... Derby Lane has a holiday tournament this month.

HAND OF THE WEEK

Scott, a lawyer from Texas, submits a big-money pot-limit Omaha Hi/Lo hand that has humbled Chris (his words!).

UTG raises to an allowed $25 in the very loose $2/$5 game at an underground cardroom. Two players call, and our hero calls from the cutoff with Ac-3h-4d-9c. The button and BB come along, too.

The flop: 4c-7d-10c.

BB bets $70 into the $150 pot and two players call before it gets to our hero, who calls with his nut-nut draw. The button, however, pops it pot ($430). The BB calls, the other two players fold, and our hero calls.

The turn: 2c

Bingo for our hero, who pushes all-in after the BB checks. Both remaining players call.

The river: 3c

Are you kidding us? And just to make sure you're not, the BB pushes all-in for a side pot, which the button calls.

The BB has Ad-2d-5c-6c for the wheel and a straight flush, and the button has Ah-5s-7c-7d, also for a wheel. That's right - our hero goes from scoop to poop in one card. Omaha is a brutal, brutal game.

We offer no advice on how our hero could have played better, but do have questions about the BB's play.

Scott, send us your address and we'll send you some of our new swag (Pokers Most Wanted cards from Karina Jett or "Got Tilt?" shirts and FullTilt hats from Sam).

NEXT WEEK'S SHOW

Our annual holiday poker gift guide. If you've seen something cool on the shelves or online, ship us an e-mail.

- SCOTT

One Minute Mystery: The Case of the Cold Ducks

We're early in an online MTT with 3,900 chips (up from our original 3K).

We look down at 2-2 in middle position and minraise.

Three see the flop of 9h-4d-Qs, and it's checked around.

The turn is a 2h, and we bet 200 into the pot of 350 after the BB checks. Both players call.

The river is the 10h, and the BB pushes all-in for 780.

With a player to act after us, what do we do?

Times file photo

Chip Reese dead at 56

According to numerous sources, including 2+2, Wicked Chops Poker and Full Contact Poker (Daniel Negreanu's site), one of the greatest players in the history of poker, David "Chip" Reese, has died at the age of 56.

Joe Sebok just confirmed this tragic news for Ante Up. "He was so young," Sebok said. "I was just talking to Bear (Joe's dad, Barry Greenstein) and we're shocked. I used to go into Bobby's Room (at the Bellagio in Las Vegas) and would tell Bear about a hand I just had, and Chip would always ask 'What was the situation, what were the hands?' To see somebody pipe up while he was playing for millions of dollars to hear the details of a meaningless hand just shows you how much he loved poker and how great he was. I have nothing but good memories of Chip; he was truly a mentor to me and we're just crushed."

This is truly a sad day. Mr. Reese, considered by many of his peers to be the greatest mixed game and stud player to ever step foot in a casino, recently had been feeling ill and reportedly died in his sleep. He re-emerged into the spotlight just last year after his children encouraged him to play more televised tournaments, ultimately winning the $50K HORSE event at the World Series of Poker in 2006. Winner of three WSOP bracelets and more than $3-million in tournament earnings, Mr. Reese was a major contributor to the 7-Card Stud chapter in Doyle Brunson's first edition of Super/System.

He will be missed.

We will have more on this story as it develops and we will reflect on Mr. Reese during our show on Friday.

UPDATE: Here is an official statement I just received from the Brunsons:

Doyle: “I have lost one of my oldest and dearest friends today. He was one of the most unique individuals I have ever known and poker has lost one of the greats today.”

Todd: “I have lost a mentor and friend today. He was like a family member to me.”

Funeral arrangement and donation information will be released along with an official statement in the next couple of days.

-- Chris

Photo from Getty Images

What's your table of preference?

If you didn't read my post below (SHAME ON YOU!) I talked about a dream table I had down at One-Eyed Jacks this past weekend. But it got me to thinking: What is my favorite type of table? Obviously you'd love to have someone like the donktard I sat next to who went all-in blind and was calling off all his chips with 5th pair in NLHE. But we can't always be so fortunate. As a whole, would you prefer a table full of limpers or a table loaded with loose maniacs? How about a combination of the two?

A lot of people say they love maniacs at their table because they can sit back, wait for a hand and get paid off. But if there are too many maniacs you might never see a flop, and when you finally do they might actually have a better hand. And, conversely, if everyone limp/calls you never know where you stand, and you have to worry about the ol' Doyle Brunson adage: Never go broke in an unraised pot.

I guess I like to have the combo. It's easy to say I want a maniac on my right and a rock on my left, but as long as I can limp once in a while with suited connectors or small pairs I'm happy. Passive tables are much easier to beat, and with the occasional maniac thrown in it makes for a profitable session.

-- Chris

Poker, poker and more poker

Where to start? I guess I'll begin with the home game at Gambit's house on Friday night. I played real loose at the wrong times and too tight at others. I could never get on track and was down about $50 during the cash-game portion of the evening, which is the worst I've ever done in almost a year of playing in that game. But, as of late, I've been running well in the end-of-the-night SNGs (first and second in my last two) so I still had hopes of a winning session. This time, however, I managed just a third-place finish (for another cash), and I think NewScott (aka Snuffy) may have won (he was heads-up for the title with a decent chip lead when he knocked me out -- 99 v. 77). But unlike my last two cashes, this one didn't give me +EV on the night as I left down about $30.

So, I had high hopes for playing at One-Eyed Jacks on Saturday. Fasso and I drove down to play in the 6-table shootout, but alas we both went out before winning our tables (I went out 4th at my table and Fasso 3rd at his). I had promised Sam Minutello I'd head down there for the conclusion of his 2-day Pros vs. Joes tournament, which he deemed a great success. I won't fill you in too much as I interviewed Chip Jett (who finished 3rd for $15K), Gavin Smith, ESPN's Lon McEachern and Sam. I'll play those short clips during this week's Tampa Bay Poker Replay so stay tuned. The final two players, Chuck Chestnut and Chris Ladriere, chopped the remaining prize pool, taking home about $33K each. Not too shabby. Nice job guys.

Since Fasso was still playing in his tourney when I got knocked out, I decided to sit down at the $2-3 NLHE table with my max $100 buy-in. ... and I was very glad I did. It was one of those tables you dream about where everyone overvalues their hands and treats money like a red-headed stepchild. It didn't take long for me to get involved, and to grow my stack. In MP with A♠2♠ there were three limpers behind me so I came along for the ride. Eventually the pot was $18. The flop came 6♣10♠4♠. It got checked around to me and I put out a bet of $15. A woman in LP, who was a very poor player, called and everyone else folded. The turn was the sweet 9♠. So I had the nuts and bet out $20. She called and the river was the 5♠. I hoped she had the K♠ and I bet out $25. She only had $20 left and she called with ... wait for it ... 2♥6♠. She called on the button preflop with that hand, called a $15 bet with middle pair no kicker on the flop, called a $20 bet on the turn with three spades on board and then called a $25 bet with just a 6-high flush. But not before a speech: "I don't think you got a spade." I said "You're right, I don't have a spade. I have THE spade."

And she was one of the BETTER players at the table! I felted three people at this table, but two of them I felted twice, and they ALL rebought. I know you have to have no respect for money when you play poker, but they took it to another level. I haven't seen players this bad since that Mexican gentleman at the Monte Carlo back in July. And this session would be much better than that one. 

The cutoff limped, as did another woman the button. I was in the SB with Q♦8♥. So I called and the BB checked. The flop came K♦Q♥8♦ and I bet out $12 into a $12 pot. The BB and cutoff folded and the button called. The turn was the 3♣. I bet $25 and she min-raised (actually she raised to $40 but the dealer corrected her and said she needed to make it $50). She only had about $40 left, so I went all-in. She called, turned over A♠Q♣ and a harmless 10♣ fell. She lost her whole stack on second pair. I applaud the raise, but I hadn't shown down any hand that wasn't the nuts. Did she really think I was bluffing? Could she really think second pair was good?

My stack grew very quickly, plus EVERY pot I won went to showdown and involved me felting someone. ... and that's no exaggeration at all.

But here's the hand I want the Ante Up! Nation's opinion on, and it came against THE WORST player at the table. I saw him call an all-in with bottom pair on a board of A♠K♠Q♦5♠J♣. So here's the hand, and I was up about $200 at this point. I was on the button with 7♦9♦. Again, a bunch of limpers, so I called, too. The flop: 9♥5♦6♥. The pot was roughly $15 so I bet $10. This terrible player called and everyone else folded. The turn was the 3♠. I bet $15 and he shoved for $50 more. What? Does he have a pair of fives again? So I needed to call $50 to win $115, which is better than 2-to-1, but not quite 3-to-1. I really couldn't put this guy on a hand, especially after the horrendous call he had made earlier. Finally I put him on either a draw or two pair. I did, however, pick up a double-belly-buster with that 3. Normally I'd probably fold here, especially if I wasn't up. If he had a straight would he really shove into someone betting into him? Then again, how could I put conventional wisdom into the head of a guy who made that earlier call? Ultimately it felt like he was trying to protect a vulnerable hand, so I thought "What hand is vulnerable here? Maybe he has A9? Or two baby pair? Against either of these hands I'd be behind (3-to-1 vs. A-9 and 2-to-1 vs. two baby pair), though I had a ton of outs. The only real hand I was afraid of was 7-8, but I knew he didn't have that because I think he would've raised me on the flop with two hearts out there (even the worst player in the world would protect that hand). So I called. Would you have called given the information I gave you?

He turned over 5♠3♣. Let's count the outs: any 4 (4), 8 (4) any 7 (3) any 9 (2) and now any 6 (3). So I had 16 outs, and the one I wasn't counting on fell: the 6♦. He was counterfeited and I felted another player. He rebought (again) and here's the nail that sealed the coffin on this player being the worst ever. After he lost a small pot (is that even possible with these players?) he had $80 left. He announced to the dealer (while the cards were being shuffled) he was going all-in blind on the next hand. But only I, the dealer and the guy immediately to my left heard him. So I was UTG with A♥J♥ and just limped, all the while watching this guy to make sure he really didn't look at his cards. Sure enough he shoved without looking. Everyone folded and I looked at the guy next to me who also had heard him. I could tell he was thinking of calling, but I knew if I called he probably wouldn't. Sure enough when I called he said, "If you didn't I would've. But since you called I can't."

The donktard turned over 8♣3♠. I saw an ace in the window and it was all over. I felted him again. I looked at my cell and it was around 3 p.m. I still needed to interview the pros at that point and I wanted to have dinner with my wife so I decided to cash in, up $430 in less than an hour. Ah, brick and mortar. ... isn't it grand?

But I really want to know what everyone thinks of that call I made. Would you have called there? Just curious.

-- Chris