September has been a frustrating month thus far. Couple running situationally terrible, with not playing many hands, and some failed 2/4 and 3/6 shots and you are left with a less than stellar result. The good news is I feel like I'm playing great and have stayed very emotionally resilient during this run.

I've had several days this month where I get stuck big and then bounce back and am able to rally back to even. This had led to a mini epiphany of sorts where I am starting to realize that its emotionally -ev to start a session out by taking a shot and playing higher than I normally would. Getting unstuck feels great; the problem with taking a shot and potentially getting stuck big on the day is that it is very emotionally taxing to rally back when you feel like you HAVE to get even. This may be an error in mindset but I'm not the type of person to just quit playing for the day if I lose a few buyins.

Today, I played a really fun match at 50c/1, where I four tabled this guy 20suckoutz. Now, judging by his ptr, I had him tagged as a major fish, but I was pretty surprised with how well he played. Granted, I ran atrociously and he ran situationally great, but still, I gotta give him some credit. We played a bunch of interesting hands. He definitely owned me pretty hard one hand, I for sure got him good a few times. Overall, I picked up on some bet sizing tells that he had and felt like I adjusted pretty well to his rampant 3 betting. I was actively using poker stove during the match and definitely felt like I was on my A game. I ended up losing a buyin and a half to him, after being up four buyins, but shit happens, I still feel like I played my best.

Hand 1

Full Tilt Poker Game #14591722726: Table Michelle (heads up, deep) - $0.50/$1 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:45:05 ET - 2009/09/09
Seat 1: 20SUCKOUTZ ($206)
Seat 2: BetShekels ($342.50)
BetShekels posts the small blind of $0.50
20SUCKOUTZ posts the big blind of $1
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to BetShekels [7d 5d]
BetShekels raises to $3
20SUCKOUTZ raises to $9
BetShekels calls $6
*** FLOP *** [Ks 3s 4h]
20SUCKOUTZ bets $6
BetShekels calls $6
*** TURN *** [Ks 3s 4h] [2c]
20SUCKOUTZ checks
BetShekels has 15 seconds left to act
BetShekels bets $15
20SUCKOUTZ has 15 seconds left to act
20SUCKOUTZ calls $15
*** RIVER *** [Ks 3s 4h 2c] [4c]
20SUCKOUTZ checks
BetShekels has 15 seconds left to act
BetShekels bets $20
20SUCKOUTZ calls $20
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BetShekels shows [7d 5d] a pair of Fours
20SUCKOUTZ shows [Th As] a pair of Fours
20SUCKOUTZ wins the pot ($99.50) with a pair of Fours
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $100 | Rake $0.50
Board: [Ks 3s 4h 2c 4c]
Seat 1: 20SUCKOUTZ (big blind) showed [Th As] and won ($99.50) with a pair of Fours
Seat 2: BetShekels (small blind) showed [7d 5d] and lost with a pair of Fours

Analysis: This was pretty earlier on in the match, before I found out that he was capable of making hero calls. Flop I think is fine, being this deep, I think floating can't be too bad here. Once he checks the turn, I think he's giving up with all his air. Once he c/c the turn, I think his range is pretty polarized to A high/air/maybe some small pairs. River pairs board, isn't a great card to barrel, but I decide to anyways, see if hes capable of looking me up. He correctly calls. NH him

Hand 2

Full Tilt Poker Game #14592087730: Table Michelle (heads up, deep) - $0.50/$1 - No Limit Hold'em - 20:04:56 ET - 2009/09/09
Seat 1: 20SUCKOUTZ ($317.90)
Seat 2: BetShekels ($305.20)
20SUCKOUTZ posts the small blind of $0.50
BetShekels posts the big blind of $1
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to BetShekels [Jc Qh]
20SUCKOUTZ raises to $3
BetShekels calls $2
*** FLOP *** [2h Qd 6h]
BetShekels has 15 seconds left to act
BetShekels bets $4
20SUCKOUTZ has 15 seconds left to act
20SUCKOUTZ calls $4
*** TURN *** [2h Qd 6h] [Js]
BetShekels has 15 seconds left to act
BetShekels checks
20SUCKOUTZ has 15 seconds left to act
20SUCKOUTZ checks
*** RIVER *** [2h Qd 6h Js] [2d]
BetShekels checks
20SUCKOUTZ bets $14
BetShekels has 15 seconds left to act
BetShekels raises to $60
20SUCKOUTZ calls $46
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BetShekels shows [Jc Qh] two pair, Queens and Jacks
20SUCKOUTZ shows [8d 2s] three of a kind, Twos
20SUCKOUTZ wins the pot ($133.50) with three of a kind, Twos
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $134 | Rake $0.50
Board: [2h Qd 6h Js 2d]
Seat 1: 20SUCKOUTZ (small blind) showed [8d 2s] and won ($133.50) with three of a kind, Twos
Seat 2: BetShekels (big blind) showed [Jc Qh] and lost with two pair, Queens and Jacks

Analysis: Preflop here is debatable, since he was opening 100 percent of his buttons. 3 betting definitely would have been fine as well. Flop is also debatable. I had been c/r such a wide range and so frequently, that I decided to donk out too see how he would respond. Turn, I was planning to c/r, but I think leading would have been fine here as well. River, I really like my play. I think hes value betting any Q any J, and maybe even a 6.

Hand 3

Full Tilt Poker Game #14592002261: Table Michelle (heads up, deep) - $0.50/$1 - No Limit Hold'em - 20:00:28 ET - 2009/09/09
Seat 1: 20SUCKOUTZ ($250.70)
Seat 2: BetShekels ($373.20)
BetShekels posts the small blind of $0.50
20SUCKOUTZ posts the big blind of $1
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to BetShekels [8h 6h]
BetShekels raises to $3
20SUCKOUTZ raises to $9
BetShekels has 15 seconds left to act
BetShekels calls $6
*** FLOP *** [Qh 9h 7s]
20SUCKOUTZ has 15 seconds left to act
20SUCKOUTZ checks
BetShekels has 15 seconds left to act
BetShekels bets $15
20SUCKOUTZ calls $15
*** TURN *** [Qh 9h 7s] [Kh]
20SUCKOUTZ checks
BetShekels has 15 seconds left to act
BetShekels bets $36
20SUCKOUTZ has 15 seconds left to act
20SUCKOUTZ calls $36
*** RIVER *** [Qh 9h 7s Kh] [Th]
20SUCKOUTZ checks
BetShekels has 15 seconds left to act
BetShekels checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BetShekels shows [8h 6h] a flush, King high
20SUCKOUTZ shows [Jh Jd] a straight flush, King high
20SUCKOUTZ wins the pot ($119.50) with a straight flush, King high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $120 | Rake $0.50
Board: [Qh 9h 7s Kh Th]
Seat 1: 20SUCKOUTZ (big blind) showed [Jh Jd] and won ($119.50) with a straight flush, King high
Seat 2: BetShekels (small blind) showed [8h 6h] and lost with a flush, King high

Analysis: This hand I thought I owned him pretty good. River is really the only interesting street. I contemplated value betting, but even if he called with worse, I would be put into an awful spot if he c/r.

Hand 4

Full Tilt Poker Game #14590638155: Table Guru (heads up) - $0.50/$1 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:48:52 ET - 2009/09/09
Seat 1: 20SUCKOUTZ ($127.50)
Seat 2: BetShekels ($173.95)
BetShekels posts the small blind of $0.50
20SUCKOUTZ posts the big blind of $1
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to BetShekels [Qs Th]
BetShekels raises to $3
20SUCKOUTZ raises to $9
BetShekels calls $6
*** FLOP *** [7c 7s 4d]
20SUCKOUTZ bets $6
BetShekels calls $6
*** TURN *** [7c 7s 4d] [8d]
20SUCKOUTZ checks
BetShekels has 15 seconds left to act
BetShekels bets $15
20SUCKOUTZ calls $15
*** RIVER *** [7c 7s 4d 8d] [6h]
20SUCKOUTZ checks
BetShekels has 15 seconds left to act
BetShekels bets $143.95, and is all in
20SUCKOUTZ has 15 seconds left to act
20SUCKOUTZ has requested TIME
20SUCKOUTZ calls $97.50, and is all in
Uncalled bet of $46.45 returned to BetShekels
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BetShekels shows [Qs Th] a pair of Sevens
20SUCKOUTZ shows [As 9s] a pair of Sevens
20SUCKOUTZ wins the pot ($254.50) with a pair of Sevens
BetShekels adds $53.55
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $255 | Rake $0.50
Board: [7c 7s 4d 8d 6h]
Seat 1: 20SUCKOUTZ (big blind) showed [As 9s] and won ($254.50) with a pair of Sevens
Seat 2: BetShekels (small blind) showed [Qs Th] and lost with a pair of Sevens

Analysis: This hand I thought I played one street very poorly. Preflop is standard, given he was 3 betting 40 percent. Flop, I decide to float. He had been c-betting 100 percent, and then just c/f a lot of turns, so I thought I could just bet half pot here and take it down. River was where I made my major mistake. Given his line, I know he can never show up with a big hand here. Where I went wrong was with my sizing here. Betting all in just polarizes my hand between nuts and air so much, where I could have accomplished the same thing with a $30 dollar bet. In retrospect, his call seemed pretty awful, even with this information, since I could definitely be bluffing with the best hand.

Hand 5

Full Tilt Poker Game #14591762996: Table Guru (heads up) - $0.50/$1 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:47:09 ET - 2009/09/09
Seat 1: 20SUCKOUTZ ($354.20)
Seat 2: BetShekels ($162)
20SUCKOUTZ posts the small blind of $0.50
BetShekels posts the big blind of $1
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to BetShekels [Jh Jc]
20SUCKOUTZ has 15 seconds left to act
20SUCKOUTZ raises to $3
BetShekels raises to $10
20SUCKOUTZ has 15 seconds left to act
20SUCKOUTZ raises to $24
BetShekels raises to $162, and is all in
20SUCKOUTZ calls $138
BetShekels shows [Jh Jc]
20SUCKOUTZ shows [7h 7s]
*** FLOP *** [3s 6c 8d]
*** TURN *** [3s 6c 8d] [5s]
*** RIVER *** [3s 6c 8d 5s] [5d]
BetShekels shows two pair, Jacks and Fives
20SUCKOUTZ shows two pair, Sevens and Fives
BetShekels wins the pot ($323.50) with two pair, Jacks and Fives
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $324 | Rake $0.50
Board: [3s 6c 8d 5s 5d]
Seat 1: 20SUCKOUTZ (small blind) showed [7h 7s] and lost with two pair, Sevens and Fives
Seat 2: BetShekels (big blind) showed [Jh Jc] and won ($323.50) with two pair, Jacks and Fives

Analysis: Even though I thought he played me pretty well throughout the course of the match, its hand like this that make me want to play him again. Calling my 5bet here can never be good, even with the aggressive dynamics of the match.

Hand 6

Full Tilt Poker Game #14591898807: Table Guru (heads up) - $0.50/$1 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:54:10 ET - 2009/09/09
Seat 1: 20SUCKOUTZ ($165.70)
Seat 2: BetShekels ($349.50)
BetShekels posts the small blind of $0.50
20SUCKOUTZ posts the big blind of $1
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to BetShekels [Qs Jd]
BetShekels raises to $3
20SUCKOUTZ calls $2
*** FLOP *** [Jh 2s 8c]
20SUCKOUTZ checks
BetShekels has 15 seconds left to act
BetShekels bets $5
20SUCKOUTZ raises to $16
BetShekels has 15 seconds left to act
BetShekels calls $11
*** TURN *** [Jh 2s 8c] [4d]
20SUCKOUTZ bets $32
BetShekels calls $32
*** RIVER *** [Jh 2s 8c 4d] [Th]
20SUCKOUTZ bets $114.70, and is all in
BetShekels calls $114.70
*** SHOW DOWN ***
20SUCKOUTZ shows [9d 7c] a straight, Jack high
BetShekels mucks
20SUCKOUTZ wins the pot ($330.90) with a straight, Jack high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $331.40 | Rake $0.50
Board: [Jh 2s 8c 4d Th]
Seat 1: 20SUCKOUTZ (big blind) showed [9d 7c] and won ($330.90) with a straight, Jack high
Seat 2: BetShekels (small blind) mucked [Qs Jd] - a pair of Jacks

Analysis: I thought I played this hand pretty well, just unlucky that he got there, since I definitely think he was barreling almost any river. Flop, I decide to just call, since I think he's c/r this flop v light, given board texture and the fact that I was c-betting almost 100 percent. On the flop, he can never show up with a hand better than mine. Since he was 3 betting so liberally, I just thought it was very unlikely that he shows up with AJ, KJ, JJ, 88, or 22. Turn is a great card for me. I think his double barrel here is pretty questionable. River, I pretty much snap called. The T isn't a great card, since I guess he could show up with T8, maybe JT, but was confident that he would be barreling his air here as well.

On the irl front, my reason for not playing many hands this much can be attributed to spending last weekend in Ann Arbor at the UofM Western Michigan Game. We pre-partied pretty hard before hand, so come game time, I was pretty exhausted. My friend only made it through about 2 mins into the first quarter and I didn't last much longer, leaving at half time. The game was definitely fun though and it was cool to see old friends.

Other than that, I've been hooked on Lost lately. Friends of mine have raved about the show, so I decided to start up with season 1. I can definitely see myself marathoning the next couple of days. I think its a very well written show and undeniably very entertaining.

My fitness has sort of taken a back seat lately. I've just been in a funk in respect to working out, but today I started back up again, and already I'm feeling really good.

That's all I got for now. GL at the tables