Catoosa Report

After nine days of bad beats, suckouts, and chip shuffling, I'm back home from Catoosa.

I played in 20 Sit-n-Go (SNG) 10-man tournies and 7 Multi-Table (MTT) tournies ranging from 138 to 396 players.

The 10-man SNG's paid the winner with "Tournament Chips" that had no cash value, but could be used to buy-in to future tournaments. For instance, the $85 SNG paid the winner 700 in Tournament Chips and $50 in cash. These could be easily converted to cash by selling them to other players.

Virtually every SNG ended with a chop. I didn't see a single one, played all the way to one winner.

Using the $2770 poker bankroll, I paid a total of $3370 in buy-in /entry fees and received a total of $1640 in cashes, for a net poker loss of $1730.

The motel was cheaper than expected, $468 (we saved $162).

Adding this $162 to the ending poker bankroll of $1040, each share is worth a whopping $12.02.

Overall, I was pleased with the way I played but did make a couple of blunders. Here are the results and some key hands:

$45 SNG finished 10th. My trip Queens are outkicked when my QT lost to opponent's QK after QQ4 flop. (Poker bankroll to $2725)

$125 SNG finished 5th. My JJ lost to ATs (a folder said he mucked an ace) when the river brought an ace. (Poker bankroll to $2600)


$85 SNG finished 6th. From the Big Blind with 34, I see a flop of A34. I check raise trap my opponent with A8. River brings an ace to save him and bust me. (Poker bankroll to $2515)


$85 SNG chopped the pot 3 ways for $185 to me. Chip leader had 10,400 in chips to our 2200 and 2400. Chopped it $380 (less dealer tip), $185, and $185 (Poker bankroll to $2615)


$45 SNG finished 6th when my 66 lost to 99 (I considered this to be a blunder. Pushed too hard, too early, with too little). (Poker bankroll to $2570)


$85 SNG chopped 3-ways for $150 to me. Co-chip leaders had 6k and 7k to my 1800. Offered me $150 and, with the blinds escalating, I accepted it. (Poker bankroll to $2635)


$85 SNG finished 5th. Tuff luck loser with AA vs. QQ. He catches runner-runner spades for a flush. (Poker bankroll to $2550)


$125 SNG finished 9th. Flopped a set of Tens, but opponent had flopped a set of Jacks. (Poker bankroll to $2425)


$45 SNG chopped 2-ways for $100 to me. I had the chip lead but took a big loss with AJ vs AQ. Chip leader had 12,300 to my 2700 and offered me $100. I jumped at it. (Poker bankroll to $2480)


$85 SNG chopped 2-ways for $185 to me. He offered me $185 with 11,000 to 4000 lead and I said no. A few hands later at 11,800 to 3200, I said yes. (Poker bankroll to $2580)


$85 SNG finished 4th. Flop brought me a flush draw and open ended straight draw. I was short so I pushed. Got a caller but couldn't improve. (Poker bankroll to $2495)

Bought a $100 Tournament chip for $85 in cash for a $15 profit. (Poker bankroll to $2510)


$85 SNG chopped 3-ways for $350 to me (less $20 dealer tip) $200 each to other two. (Poker bankroll to $2755)


$130 MTT with 396 entrants. Finished 328th. I held AT and flop of Ts 7s 4x gave me top pair/top kicker. The As on the turn made me top 2-pair but turned my opponent's Js 6s into a flush. No full boat on the river for me and I'm busted. (Poker bankroll to $2625)


$45 SNG finished 3rd. Another blunder when I chased a flush and didn't get there. Had a really weak player at the table and I should have picked a better spot. (Poker bankroll to $2580)


$330 MTT with 285 entrants, finished 242nd. This one really stuck in my craw. I had about 3800 in chips and looked down at pocket Queens. I raised $300 preflop (25/50 blinds) chasing 4 limpers and getting one caller. Flop came Q, 8, 9. I check, he bets 800 into an 800 pot. I raise 1600 to 2400. He re-raises all-in for my last 1100. Now, I ask myself if he would have called a 300 pre-flop raise with TJ. I convince myself he wouldn't have, and with so much of my stack already committed to the hand, I call. I was wrong, he did have TJ and busted me out. Ouch! (Poker bankroll to $2250)


$85 SNG finished 5th. Short and pushed with KT vs AK. Folder said he mucked pocket tens making the situation even bleaker. No case ten for me, and I'm out. (Poker bankroll to $2165)


$125 SNG finished 7th. Lost two big hands while ahead in this one, JJ vs AT, and AA vs QQ. (Poker bankroll to $2040)


$85 SNG chopped 2 ways for $300 to me. He had me about 2 to 1 in chips and when he offered a 450/300 chop I took it. (Poker bankroll to $2255)


$85 SNG finished 8th. I got caught bluffing when river brought 3rd heart to the board. Stupid play that early. (Poker bankroll to $2170)

$85 SNG chopped 2 ways 50/50 for $375 to me. (Poker bankroll to $2460)

$125 SNG finished 5th. Card dead session. (Poker bankroll to $2335)

$550 Mega Satellite paying 12 seats into $5000 Main Event, finished 90th of 138. AJ vs AK crippled me and QQ vs AA finished it. (Poker bankroll to $1785)

$230 MTT with 420 entrants, finished 375th. QQ vs AK suited. Turn brought a King and I'm out early again. Damn! (Poker bankroll to $1555)

$230 MTT with 221 entrants, finished 88th. My "chip and a chair" tourney. Early on, I got involved with pocket Kings vs Pocket Jacks. She caught a Jack and I thought I was eliminated. The dealer counted down the chips and I was still alive, with a single $25 chip. A few hands later I quintupled up to 125. Then I quadrupled up to 500. Then quadrupled up again to 2000. Eventually built my stack back up to 4500. Finally was ousted when my JJ ran into AA. (Poker bankroll to $1325)

$120 MTT with 224 entrants, finished 54th. I had about 6000 in chips and bet 2000 with pocket nines. When my opponent raised me all-in, I folded. Then went card dead for the rest of the tourney. (Poker bankroll to $1205)

$45 SNG finished 4th. Another tuff loss when my top 2-pair lost to river set. JQs (me), board 5 J Q 7 K, opponent KK. (Poker bankroll to $1160)


$120 MTT with 192 entrants, finished 154th. Made a good laydown in this one when opponent went all-in with pocket Kings. I folded pocket Queens. A shortstack called with AK so we got to see board of 2 Q 2 T K. I eventually busted when my pocket Kings lost to moron who called with TJ suited (flop was T J 8). (Poker bankroll to $1040)

Though I didn't go as deep as I would have liked, or cashed as much as I would have liked, I felt pretty good about the way I played. One of these days my big faves are going to hold up and get me to a final table.

Thanks again to all my backers, and hope to do better the next time.

Several name pros were on hand including Clonie Gowan, Men The Master, Young Phan, Todd Brunson, Nam Le, Mike Matusow, and of course, Scotty Nguyen.

Scotty took the time to come to every table in the MTT's and wish the players good luck and shake some hands.

Next up on the horizon, The Heartland Poker Tour in Gary, Indiana in July.

Details to follow.



Final Payouts:

Pat F. 66 shares. $793.32
Susan L. 1 share. $12.02
John G. 1 share. $12.02
Jim K. 3 shares. $36.06
Jeff F. 1 share. $12.02
Scotty J. 2 shares. $24.04
Junior V. 3 shares. $36.06
Bob S. 1 share. $12.02
Chad S. 1 share. $12.02
Jerry M. 3 shares. $36.06
Mac M. 3 shares. $36.06
Les J. 11 shares. $132.22
Rick P. 1 share. $12.02
Dave C. 1 share. $12.02
Rich G. 1 share. $12.02
Dave P. 1 share. $12.02

Tournament is underway.

The 1st event is over.


TULSA, OK - Clarence Helms and his wife of 55 years, Patsy Helms, outlasted 188 other pairs to capture the $200+20 No-Limit Hold'em 'Jack ‘n Jill' event to kick-off the third annual 'Scotty Nguyen Challenge', at the Cherokee Casino, in Tulsa OK.

The Helms, from Bullard, Texas, collected $11,849 for 1st Place. Explaining their victory, Clarence said, 'We know each other pretty good.'

The 'Scotty Nguyen Challenge', May 17 - 31, is expected to attract record-breaking numbers of players. 'We've filled all the rooms at our four properties and we're putting people up in nearby Tulsa hotels,' reports Director of Table Games, Rick O' Connell.

During the days ahead, well known poker pros and celebrities will continue to swell the ranks of players participating in what has become the biggest, richest tournament in this part of the country. Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, Mike Matasow, Pat Fleming, Berry Johnston, and T.J. Cloutier, are just a few of the poker stars who've confirmed they're coming.

http://www.pokerpages.com/tournament/result18114.htm

Get 'em warmed up for me, boys.

Thanks to the Catoosa poker tournament stakers

Just wanted to thank all of you who've bought a piece of me for the Catoosa poker tournament trip.

At $40 a share, here are the shareholders:

Pat F. 66 shares
Susan L. 1 share
John G. 1 share
Jim K. 3 shares
Jeff F. 1 share
Scotty J. 2 shares
Junior V. 3 shares
Bob S. 1 share
Chad S. 1 share
Jerry M. 3 shares
Mac M. 3 shares
Les J. 11 shares
Rick P. 1 share
Dave C. 1 share
Rich G. 1 share
Dave P. 1 share


Shuffle up and deal.

Pat

Scotty Nguyen Poker Challenge III in Catoosa, Oklahoma

I'll be leaving for Catoosa, Ok. (near Tulsa) on May 21st to play in the Scotty Nguyen Poker Challenge III. I plan on playing in 8 to 10 poker tournaments.

Bankroll for poker and expenses will be $4000. I'm tentatively planning on playing in the following tournies:

May 22nd $550 Mega-Satellite to the $5,000 Main Event. No Limit Hold 'Em

May 23rd $120 cash tournament NLHE

May 24th $330 cash tournament NLHE

May 25th $230 cash tournament NLHE

May 26th $1070 cash tournament NLHE

May 27th $230 cash tournament NLHE

May 28th $120 cash tournament NLHE

May 29th $120 cash tournament NLHE

Total Buy-Ins: $2770
Hotel: (9 nites) $630
Food & drink: $300
Travel: $300

Total bankroll: $4000

My goal is to win my way into the $5,000 Main Event, which is a 3-day event and begins on May 27th.

I'll try to accomplish this by winning a seat in a satellite or mega-satellite tourney, or by winning enough in the cash tournies to buy my way in.

The tournies listed are subject to change. For instance, the $330 tourney on May 24th is a 2-day event. If I advance to the second day, I'd be skipping the $230 tourney on the 25th.

Instead of playing the $1070 tourney, I may decide to play two $550 mega-satellites. Etc.

You can follow the action of some of the tournaments online, via the links at left.

Welcome

Welcome to my blog. I'll use this space to muse about poker and provide updates on my on-line and "real" world poker sessions.