NHL Picks, February 29th

One game is worth a look on tonight's menu.

$20 on Tampa Bay (-175) over Toronto

The Lightning have won 6 straight and are 4-1 in their last 5 versus the Leafs. Toronto has lost 5 of 6.

Starting Bankroll                           $1,500.00
Profit/Loss                                      $41.25
Current Bankroll                           $1,541.25

All picks are for entertainment purposes only with no guarantees implied. Any money wagered is at your own risk.

Good luck!

SNG Challenge- Race to 100

I registered for a $3.30 Triple Up tournament on Bovada Monday night, hoping to nail win #15 to the wall.

I bled a few chips to the blinds early, but doubled up at the $25/50 level when I got my K-K all-in against J-J on a queen high flop.

Through the middle levels, I couldn't get any traction and managed to lose about 1/3 of my stack by check-calling in position with top pair, only to be outkicked.

Not exactly championship poker.

I won a few small pots as the blinds continued to rise. It was a tight table and we remained at five players for quite a while.

With blinds at $200/400/40, I pushed for $1,600 from UTG with K-5 soooted. The button, who was the tightest of the tight, called and I knew I was in trouble. He tabled A-K and things looked bleak for your hero.

The sun came out on the flop, which gave me a flush and saved my tourney.

The tournament ended at the $250/500/50 level when the short stack pushed with A-5 and was called by the dealer's Q-J soooted. The jack high flop put the shorty in danger and the final nail came when a queen hit on the turn.

Although I was fortunate to sneak in, I'll take it!

Till next time, win the flips.

SNG Challenge- Race to 100

Saturday night I settled into my easy chair and registered for a $3.30 Triple Up tournament on Bovada.

I chipped up my $1,500 starting stack to $1,750 early when I hit a few flops. My first significant hand was at the $25/50 level. Peeking down at A-K in the small blind, I called a raise to $129 (yes, $129) from the cut off. The big blind also completed and we took a flop of 6-J-7 rainbow. I check-called a $150 c-bet from the cut off, and the BB tossed his hand in the muck.

A ten on the turn helped me a little bit and I made a $250 bet to put pressure on my opponent and for protection and received a call from the villain.

I *binked* the river when a much needed Q completed my broadway straight. I slid $620 chips forward and got the call I was hoping for. The villain tabled T-4 and I was the chip leader with $3,028.

Down to eight players at the $50/100 level, I was dealt Q-Q in the big blind. An aggressive player to my left open raised to $300 and the action folded to me. Thinking I might be able to trap, I smooth called the extra $200 and flopped the nuts on a 5-Q-2 (two spades) appeared.

I checked and was rewarded with a $393 bet from my opponent. I called and we saw a 3 of spades on the turn, completing a flush draw.

Once again I checked and the villain did likewise.

The board paired on the river when a second 5 appeared, and I bet $375 and got a call, with my opponent showing pocket eights.

Still with a healthy chip stack with six players left at the $50/100 level, I raised to $275 with pocket eights from the cut off after a limper, only to be 3 bet all-in for an additional $905 from the small blind.

I  called and was shown pocket tens. Neither of us improved and I was down to $2,666, which put me in the middle of the pack.

I recovered quickly, winning a nice $1,100 pot and knocking a player out when my J-T turned a straight and was called by a straight draw.

I knocked another player out when he open shoved for $239 from the button. I was the BB, so the extra $139 call was a no-brainer, even with my 9-4 offsuit. My 4 paired on the river, which was enough to run down my opponent's A-2 and we were on the bubble.

The two short stacks got their stacks in preflop, one with pocket nines, the other with 4-4. The nines rivered a set, but it was not needed and only for show, bringing the tournament to an end.

Win number 14 is in the history books.

Only 86 to go!

Till next time, win the flips.

NHL Picks, February 24th

One game looks good on tonight's schedule.

$60 on Washington (-220) over Montreal

The Caps have won 8 of 9 and are 5-2 against the Canadians in their last 7 meetings. Montreal has lost 4 of 5.

Starting Bankroll                           $1,500.00
Profit/Loss                                      $101.25
Current Bankroll                           $1,601.25

All picks are for entertainment purposes only with no guarantees implied. Any money wagered is at your own risk.


Good luck!

NHL Picks, February 23rd

A couple games look promising on tonight's menu.

$20 on NY Rangers (-120) over New Jersey

The Rangers have won 7 of their last 9 and are 7-2 versus the Devils in their last 9 meetings. New Jersey has lost 3 straight.

$20 on Columbus (+175) over Detroit

The Blue Jackets have won 3 straight on enemy ice and have beaten the Red Wings 4 of the last 5 times they've met. Detroit has dropped 4 straight. 

Starting Bankroll                           $1,500.00
Profit/Loss                                      $141.25
Current Bankroll                           $1,641.25

All picks are for entertainment purposes only with no guarantees implied. Any money wagered is at your own risk.


Good luck!

SNG Challenge- Race to 100

I had a little time last night and decided to fire up a $3.30 Triple Up tournament on Bovada.

I started slow, eventually losing a third of my $1,500 starting stack. I finally got a nice hand at the $50/100 level, peeking down at A-T in the small blind. There was one limper, then a laggy player raised to 300 from middle position. I had noticed he was opening wide, and I was hoping that was the case when I pushed all of my 1,090 chips in the middle. The limper folded and the original raiser called the additional 790 chips with 9-8 soooted.

Okie dokie.

The board ran out 3-K-J-K-7 and  I found myself in good shape with 2,380 chips.

My next big hand was at the $75/150 level. We were down to five players from the original nine. Two players limped and I pushed my $2,295 forward with pocket aces. The original limper folded, but the second one called the remaining $2,145 and tabled the dreaded pocket kings (© RobVegasPoker).

Can you say cooler?

Neither of us improved and I was leading the pack with almost $4,900.

I was active at the $100/200 level, playing three big hands to gain a stranglehold on the tournament.

The first hand I open raised from the button with J-4 suited, getting a call from the big blind. I whiffed the flop, but took it down with a c-bet.

Down to four players (the bubble), I open raised again from UTG with pocket queens. The BB called the additional $225, but folded to my c-bet on a T-K-J flop.

The last hand I played was 9-5 suited in the BB. There were two limpers that saw a 5-2-3 rainbow flop with me. The SB lead out with a $200 min bet. The limper folded and I called with my top pair.

A nine on the turn gave me two pair and I smooth called a $500 bet. The river ace was a little scary, leaving only a four needed for a straight. My opponent bet another $200 and I decided to just call. He showed down pocket tens and I had built my stack to $7,465.

Three hands later it was over as the two short stacks got it all in and win #13 was history.

Till next time, win the flips.

NHL Picks, February 18th

One game worth a look on tonight's schedule.

$20 on Carolina (+100) over Ottawa

The Hurricanes are 5-3 in their last 8 games and have beaten the Senators 5 of the last 7 times they've met. Ottawa has lost 6 of their last 9.

Starting Bankroll                           $1,500.00
Profit/Loss                                      $161.25
Current Bankroll                           $1,661.25

All picks are for entertainment purposes only with no guarantees implied. Any money wagered is at your own risk.


Good luck!

SNG Challenge- Race to 100

I played in a $3.30 Triple Up tournament last Thursday, but didn't write any hand notes, thinking I'd look up the hand history later. However, Bovada's software makes searching for specific hands extremely tedious, so you'll have to trust me (and the screen shot below) that I won for the eleventh time in my challenge

I did take notes on the one I won Monday night, so there's that.

I started fast when dealt pocket aces in middle position. Blinds were $15/30 and after one limper, the player to my right min-raised to $60. I three bet to $160, only to be four bet to $540 by the big blind.

Wow, this was gonna be interesting!

The original raiser five bet all-in for $1,141. What's better than being five bet while holding pocket aces? I called, as did the BB.

The original raiser flipped over Q-Q and the big blind showed J-J, both in bad shape against my A-A.

The tables turned on the flop, with a queen in the window. The turn was a blank, but the river was a tourney-saving ace!

Your classic re-suck and I was sitting on 3,600 chips.

With blinds at $50/100 and still leading the tournament with almost 4,400 chips, I raised to $225 from middle position with A-5. The big blind called the additional $125.

The flop was A-8-3 rainbow and the BB checked. The board was dry, so I checked behind, hoping for a bet from my opponent on the turn. He checked after a jack hit on the turn, so I pushed out 170 chips and got a call.

I bet another $225 on the river when a second ace showed its face, but didn't get a call, but now I had a commanding chip lead.

At the $75/150 level, with only five players left, I raised to $325 from UTG + 1 with A-K. The big blind came along and we were heads-up.

The 6-K-2 flop looked good enough to call my opponent's shove for $1,141 and he showed pocket sevens. No help for him on the turn or river and we were on the bubble and I was in possession of over half the chips.

The final hand was at the $100/200 level. I was the big blind when the dealer shoved his last $475 in the middle. My Q-7 hand wasn't too good, but with only $275 to call, there wasn't much of a decision to be made.

The villain tabled K-Q and had me in bad shape, but we all know poker is rigged. The 6-7-Q flop was simply another nugget of evidence. Another 7 on the turn sealed the deal and number 12 was in the books.

Eighty-eight to go!

Till next time, win the flips.

NHL Picks, February 15th

A couple games look interesting on tonight's agenda.

$20 on Dallas (+110) over Nashville

The Stars have won 6 of 7 and have beaten the Predators the last 3 times they've met. Nashville has dropped 4 of 6. 

$20 on Pittsburgh (+100) over Florida

The Penguins have won 7 of 9 and have beaten the Panthers three straight. Florida has lost 4 of 5. 

Starting Bankroll                           $1,500.00
Profit/Loss                                      $159.25
Current Bankroll                           $1,659.25

All picks are for entertainment purposes only with no guarantees implied. Any money wagered is at your own risk.


Good luck!

SNG Challenge- Race to 100

I got home early enough to play a couple sit n gos on Bovada Wednesday night, so I took advantage and registered for a $7.77 Triple Up.

Things didn't go well, as I ran my top pair, top kicker (A-K) into a set on eights and was gone in sixth place.

No money.

Since my tournament was so short, I decided to give it another go and signed up for a $3.30 SNG.

I was off to another slow start when I hit a full house on the river, only to be coolered by quads. That cost me about half of my $1,500 starting stack.

With blinds at $25/50 I peeked down at pocket eights. There was a 4X raise from middle position after an UTG limp. I had about 800 chips left and decided to push it all in to get heads-up. The raiser had been pretty loosey-goosey, so I figured at worse I was flipping and at best he might fold to my 3 bet.

Then the UTG limper called my raise. And then the original raiser called.

Uh-oh, this can't be good.

The UTG player showed pocket nines and the original raiser had J-J.

Then I *binked* an 8 on the flop. My hand held and suddenly I was sitting on top at 2,900 chips.

Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

Blinds had risen to $200/400/30 when the final hand was played.

We were down to four players (the bubble) when the button pushed for $1900. I had him covered ($3,400) and was holding A-J offsuit, making it an easy call. My opponent tabled A-9.

My hand held and I was able to tally win number 10 in my challenge to win 100 tournaments in 2016.

90 to go!

Till next time, win the flips.

NHL Picks, February 11th

One game worth a peek on tonight's menu.

$40 on Washington (-120) over Minnesota

The Caps have won 4 straight and have the best record in the league. The Wild have lost 6 in a row and have been outscored 26-13 during the streak.

Starting Bankroll                           $1,500.00
Profit/Loss                                      $126.00
Current Bankroll                           $1,626.00

All picks are for entertainment purposes only with no guarantees implied. Any money wagered is at your own risk.


Good luck!

SNG Challenge- Race to 100

I had some time Monday evening, so I fired up ye olde magic box for a little no limit Texas hold'em action on Bovada. My choice on this evening was a $7.77 Triple Up sit and go tournament.

I was card dead early, generally playing the role of Foldilocks, as I mucked hand after hand to raises and 3 bets. The action was wild and woolly, reminding me of the old days on Pacific Poker when times were good and the livin' was easy.

Having blinded off 70 chips from my original $1500 starting stack, I was dealt pocket aces in the small blind. Having played hold'em for years, and being the veteran of four WSOP tournaments, I determined this was a playable hand :)

Blinds had risen to $25/50 and I raised to $200 behind two limpers. The BB mucked, but both limpers bought tickets for my pocket rockets ride.

The flop was pretty connected, showing a 5-6-8 with two hearts. I fired out a bet of $325, receiving a call from one opponent and a fold from the second.

An offsuit 4 on the turn didn't slow me down and I pushed another $525 to the middle of the table, leaving me $380 behind.

The villain 3 bet me to $1255.

I was too deep now and quickly called which put me all in. The bad guy tabled 8-T of diamonds.

Guess he thought I was kidding.

The turn and river were harmless and I suddenly had $2960 chips and was in good shape.

The play continue to be free and easy, so we were down to the bubble (four players) quickly, with blinds only at $50/100.

On the final hand of the tourney I open raised from the button with Q-J offsuit. The small blind three bet to $555 and received a call from the BB. Both players had me covered and I didn't think there was much chance I was ahead, so I folded.

The flop was 6-A-9 and the fireworks began.

The SB bet $1000 and the BB shoved his entire stack of $3552. The SB insta called and tabled A-K for top pair, top kicker, a strong heads-up hand. However the BB had pocket nines and had hit the set.

Can you say "coolered?"

A 5 on the turn and a river Q ended the festivities and win number 9 was in the books.

Only 91 to go!

Till next time, win the flips.

SNG Challenge- Race to 100

I entered a $7.77 Triple Up tournament on Bovada after the Super Bowl last night and finished in first for win #8 in my challenge.

The tournament came down to two hands, one very early and the other ended play.

In only the second hand, with blinds at 10/20 ($1500T starting stack), I was under the gun with A-T offsuit. I open-raised to $40, with the action folded around to the big blind, who defended.

The flop of T-K-K appeared to be a good one for me, especially after a check from the BB. I bet $50, hoping to keep  my opponent on board. I got more than that when he check-raised to $234.

"Weird," I thought, "If he really has a king, why would he try to push me off my hand?"

I called.

A harmless 4 on the turn produced a $1200 bet from the BB, leaving only $26 behind.

Even more weird.

"No way you play trips like that," I thought and pushed all-in for the additional $26.

And the BB folded! For $26. Guess he didn't like the pot odds?  :)

Anyway, my stack increased by $1474 and I was off to a good start.

The final hand began with blinds at 150/300/30 with four players (the bubble) left. I had the button and $4077 when I peeked down at A-J and raised to $625. The big blind, who had a similar stack size with $3355 called.

I liked the 2-A-5 rainbow flop and smooth called a $600 bet, hoping my opponent might make a mistake later in the hand.

I wasn't disappointed when he pushed his last $2100 in the middle when a 4 hit the turn. I called and was shown pocket sixes. A ten on the river ended the tournament with me at the top with $7642.

Eight down, 92 to go!

Till next time, win the flips.

NHL Picks, February 9th

Two games are worth a gander on tonight's menu.

$40 on Chicago (-140) over San Jose

The Hawks have won 4 of their last 5 and are 4-1 in their last 5 against the Sharks. San Jose has dropped 3 of their last 5.

$20 on Anaheim (+100) over Philadelphia

The Ducks have won 6 of 7 and beaten the Flyers 8 of the last 9 times they skated together. Philly has lost 3 of their last 5.

Starting Bankroll                           $1,500.00
Profit/Loss                                      $146.00
Current Bankroll                           $1,646.00

All picks are for entertainment purposes only with no guarantees implied. Any money wagered is at your own risk.


Good luck!

NFL Picks Contest- Super Bowl Results and Final Standings

Here are the Super Bowl 50 results and final standings in the NFL Picks Contest. Cereal killer Captain Crunch (see what I did there?) finished strong, winning his last 10 picks.

Congratulations Captain! You've got a NFL team logo tee shirt headed your way.

lightning36- Carolina (L 10-24)
TwoMinuteWarning- lightning36- Carolina (L 10-24)
Grange95- No Pick

cokeboy99- lightning36- Carolina (L 10-24)

Music City Momma- lightning36- Carolina (L 10-24)
Coach- lightning36- Carolina (L 10-24)
MOJO- lightning36- Carolina (L 10-24)
Vegas Vic- Denver (W 24-10)
Captain Crunch- Denver (W 24-10)
4th And Long- Carolina (L 10-24)
OneAndDone- Carolina (L 10-24)
angerisagift- No Pick
mrben09- Denver (W 24-10)


Here are the current standings;

Captain Crunch- 18-(7)+44-(2)+24+17+18+13+27-(4)-(28)+34+45+39+27+25+38+40+17+44+24= 453 pts.
mrben09- 18-(3)+44+24+34+17+28+24+27-(2)+26+34+44+48+27-(7)-(10)+11+16-(2)+24= 422 pts.
Vegas Vic- 18-(7)+44-(2)+24+17-(6)+31+27-(4)-(3)+34-(6)+32+27+14+17+40+17+44+24= 382 pts.
4th and Long- 18-(14)+50-(2)+24+24+18-(3)+27+11+38+34-(7)+31+27+25+38+40+17-(2)-(14)= 380 pts.
lightning36- 18-(3)+36+24+34+17+13-(3)+27-(4)+17+16+44+39+33+14-(10)+11+17+44-(14)= 370 pts.
OneAndDone- 11-(7)+36+13+24+24+18-(3)+27-(4)+38+34-(6)+32+27-(6)+38+12+17+12-(14)= 322 pts.
Coach- 11+35+44-(2)+16-(4)+18-(3)+27-(4)+20-(6)+45+39+27+14+16+11+16-(2)-(14)= 304 pts.
Music City Momma- 11-(14)+50-(2)-(1)+17-(6)+31+27-(2)-(3)+23-(7)+39+27+14+17+11+16+44-(14)= 288 pts.
TwoMinuteWarning- 16-(7)+44-(2)-(1)+17+18-(3)+27+11-(28)+28+45+31+27+14+17+12+17-(2)-(14)= 267 pts.
MOJO-  18-(7)+36+13-(1)+17+18+31+27-(4)+26+0-(6)+17+27-(6)+26-(17)+16+44-(14)= 261 pts.
cokeboy99- 18-(3)+36-(2)+16-(4)+13+11-(6)-(4)+38+34+13+32+27-(3)+16+40+16-(34)-(14)= 240 pts.
Grange95- 11-(7)+44-(14)+24+13+18+24-(6)-(33)-(3)-(6)+44+31+27+42-(30)+40+17-(34)+0= 202 pts.
angerisagift- 17-(14)+17+0-(3)+13+28+24-(6)-(4)+38-(6)-(3)+0-(10)-(7)+17-(30)+17-(2)+0= 86 pts.


All-time record score: 515 pts- cokeboy99 (2014-15 season)

Thanks for playing. Hope to see ya' again this fall!

NFL Picks Contest- Super Bowl Picks

Here are the picks for Super Bowl 50.

lightning36- Carolina
TwoMinuteWarning- Carolina
Grange95- ?
cokeboy99- Carolina
Music City Momma- Carolina
Coach- Carolina
MOJO-  Carolina
Vegas Vic- Denver
Captain Crunch- Denver
4th And Long- Carolina
OneAndDone- Carolina
angerisagift- ?
mrben09- Denver

Good luck!!!

NFL Picks Contest- Super Bowl Pick Due Tomorrow

Just a friendly reminder that your Super Bowl pick for the NFL Picks Contest is due by 6 pm CST Saturday. I have most of them, but if you haven't sent yours yet, it's time to get with it!

Please e-mail me at nfl.picks@ymail com or leave a comment here with your pick.

Good luck!

NHL Picks, February 5th

One game looks worthwhile on tonight's abbreviated schedule.

$20 on Columbus (+150) over Calgary

The Jackets have won 3 of 4 and have beaten the Flames 5 of the last 7 times they've met. Calgary is 2-5 in their last 7 games.

Starting Bankroll                           $1,500.00
Profit/Loss                                      $116.00
Current Bankroll                           $1,616.00

All picks are for entertainment purposes only with no guarantees implied. Any money wagered is at your own risk.


Good luck!

NHL Picks, February 4th

Several games are worth a gander on tonight's schedule.

$60 on Florida (-150) over Detroit

The Panthers have won 4 straight, surrendering only 5 goals and are 4-1 in their last 5 versus the Red Wings. Detroit has lost 4 of 6. 

$20 on Chicago (-160) over Arizona

The Hawks have won 5 of the last 7 against the Coyotes. Arizona has dropped 6 of 8. 

$20 on New Jersey (+105) over Toronto

The Devils have won 5 of 6 and are 4-1 in their last 5 versus Toronto. The Leafs have lost 9 of 11. 

$20 on Colorado (+115) over Dallas

The Mountain Men have won 5 of their last 7 and have beaten the Stars 8 straight. Dallas is 3-1 in their last 4. 

$20 on Anaheim (+130) over Los Angeles

The Ducks have won 4 in a row and have beaten the Kings 3 of the last 4 meetings. LA has lost 4 of their last 6 on home ice. 

Starting Bankroll                           $1,500.00
Profit/Loss                                       $77.50
Current Bankroll                           $1,577.50

All picks are for entertainment purposes only with no guarantees implied. Any money wagered is at your own risk.


Good luck!

SNG Challenge- Race to 100

One of my goals this year for Small Potatoes is to provide more poker content. The vast majority of entries the last couple of years has been sports betting related. Not that there's anything wrong with that (after all it's in the title), but I want to get back to the main reason I started this blog, which is to write about poker.

Back to the basics if you will.

I deposited a small sum on Bovada several months ago and have played a little cash, but mostly sit and go tournaments. I decided in December to do a challenge; win 100 SNG tourneys in 2016.

It's not hard if you play a lot, but my life has gotten pretty busy, which cuts into my online poker time. That being said, I only average 5-6 online tournaments a week, so I wanted to be sure my goal was realistic. Now that I have a month under my belt, I've decided to give it a shot.

I won seven tournaments in January, a little behind the pace I need to reach 100, but not too much. I probably won't get to start my February play until Thursday, but I plan to post each time I win and write about any significant hands.

Most of my play has been the $7.70 Triple Up SNG. Below is a list of the tournaments I won last month.

I hope this challenge will create more poker content here. And maybe put a little coin in my pocket along the way :)

Till next time, win the flips!