everett carlton everett c - Minnesota Poker Magazine

Minnesota’s #1
Poker Source
june 2010
INSIDE
Tournament Results | 10
Statewide Tournament
Schedule | 28
Bar League
Standings | 30
PLUS
'babyshark33' AMONG
WORLD'S BEST
MNPOKERMAG
CELEBRATES
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY
TOP TEN
TOURNAMENT PLAYERS
EVERETT
CARLTON
MARCOTTE WINS
10-YEAR TOURNEY
WINS WSOP
CIRCUIT EVENT
MSPT
– Season
1, Event 11,
– Grand
Casino
Lacs, Feb.
13-21
MSPT
– Season
Event
3 – Mille
Northern
Lights
Casino, June 9-13
page 4
Minnesota Poker Magazine
june 2010
Letter from the Publisher
With one full year under our belts,
Minnesota Poker Magazine is thriving
by Bryan Mileski
I
ts hard to believe that we’ve already pumped out 12 issues. Time flies when you’re
having fun! Its been a lot of hard work and some very, very long hours, but it’s all
been worth it.
We’re now rolling into year two with a full head of steam. What started as a simple
idea a year and a half ago has morphed into a successful publishing business, despite
the tough economic climate and understandable reluctance by businesses to spend
advertising dollars.
The reason we’ve been successful is because poker in Minnesota has a huge base of
great, passionate players. MNPokerMag.com currently averages 4,000–5,000 unique visitors per month. With numbers like that casinos listen, as it represents their core market.
With some help from players, we’ve been able to influence tournament structures in
this state. By publicizing more events we’ve created the platform for casinos to compete
against one another for customers. We’ve seen several card rooms improve tournament
structures to become more player friendly in attempt to lure players to their location.
It’s also been a blast identifying and recognizing many of the outstanding players in
this state. From young guys like Alec Anderson and John Dragich to veterans such as 3
Putts or Everett Carlton, there are so many top-tier players.
We’ve also had a fantastic time getting the opportunity to work with many of the Poker
Room Managers, VP’s, staff, etc. at all of the different casinos. Contrary to popular belief,
it’s not always about the money with these casinos. There are a ton of great people working hard to make sure the players have a great experience playing. They often don’t get
enough credit for the work they do behind the scenes, and I can certainly appreciate it
more now that I’ve had the chance to witness it.
It’s an exciting time for poker! With the WSOP currently going on, we are sure to hear
more stories of Minnesota players making a name for themselves. We at Minnesota Poker
Magazine will continue to do our best to bring all the news to you regarding our local
stars.
Thank you to all our readers and supporters! Year one couldn’t have gone any better
and we look forward to another exciting year of poker here in the great state of Minnesota!
I’d also like to send a special thanks to Craig Dirkes who was instrumental in getting
this magazine off the ground.
Good luck to all!
Vol. 2/No. 6
President and Publisher
Bryan Mileski
[email protected]
Editor and Publisher
Phil Mackey
[email protected]
Art Director
Carolyn Borgen
[email protected]
Contributing Writers
Jacob Westlin
Advertising Information
Bryan Mileski
612-743-9847
[email protected]
Story Ideas
[email protected]
Our Mission
Minnesota Poker Magazine is a
monthly publication dedicated to
serving poker players and gaming
facilities through industry news,
statewide tournament schedules,
player profiles and professional tips.
Coupled with our website, www.
MNPokerMag.com, we are “Minnesota’s #1 Poker Source.”
Minnesota Poker Magazine
Lakeville, MN
612-743-9847
Bryan Mileski
Phil Mackey
MNPOKERMAG.COM page 6
Minnesota Poker Magazine
june 2010
Player Profile
A ‘Shark’ at the table
Mike ‘babyshark33’ Kachan discusses his life as one of the best online poker players in
the world
Interview by Bryan Mileski
Article by Phil Mackey
M
ike ‘babyshark33’ Kachan is one of the best
online poker players in the world. This is not an
exaggeration.
Kachan, who lives in Shakopee, has more than $1.5 million
in online tournament winnings since the start of 2008, when
results were officially made public.
OfficialPokerRankings.com currently ranks Kachan as
one of the top 75 players in the world twice, on two separate
screen names—‘babyshark33’ on PokerStars and ‘thebattler33’ on Full Tilt.
Since spring of 2008, Kachan has won 99 multi-table tournaments between Full Tilt and PokerStars. Over that same
time span, he also has 21 cashes of at least $10,000. In 2010
alone, Kachan has a net profit of $179,000.
Minnesota Poker Magazine’s Bryan Mileski had a chance
to interview Kachan about his success.
Bryan Mileski (BM): Tell people a little bit about your background. Are you from MN? Where did you grow up? How old are
you? School? Any hobbies?
Mike ‘babyshark33’ Kachan (MK): I grew up in Edina, MN.
I attended Edina High School where I played on the soccer
and golf team. I was offered a scholarship to play soccer for
UNC Asheville—lived in Asheville, NC for about six years. I
currently live in Shakopee, MN with my Fiance’ Michelle. I
am 28 years old. I enjoy traveling, playing golf, watching and
attending sporting events, and spending time with family
and friends.
BM: How long have you been playing poker? I’m guessing you
play poker full time, but have you ever had a job?
MK: I have been playing poker for five years, but started
playing full time about three years ago. I have had different
side jobs such as waiting tables and working with the Edina
Youth Soccer Association.
BM: A lot of people look enviously at professional poker players. How would you classify it? More glamorous, or more grind?
And why?
MK: Some of each. Poker can be extremely stressful and
frustrating, but it can be very rewarding and allow someone
Mike 'babyshark33' Kachan
Recent online cashes
Date
Tournament
Place
Cash
5/7/10
Full Tilt $60K
1
$24,916
12/28/09
PokerStars $60K
1
$19,126
2/10/10
PokerStars $35K
1
$17,736
11/13/09
PokerStars $60K
3
$16,170
7/20/09
Full Tilt $40K
1
$14,775
12/11/09
PokerStars $40K
1
$12,765
6/24/09
Full Tilt $100K
4
$12,012
4/19/10
Full Tilt Turbo $50K
1
$11,993
3/23/10
Full Tilt Turbo $25K
1
$10,218
11/18/09
PokerStars $35K
2
$8,798
4/17/10
PokerStars $40K
1
$8,400
4/15/10
PokerStars $100K
4
$8,230
8/12/09
Full Tilt $21K
1
$8,229
2/2/10
Full Tilt $75K
4
$8,216
11/19/09
Full Tilt Turbo $30K
2
$8,063
Continued on page 8
MNPOKERMAG.COM june 2010
Minnesota Poker Magazine
MNPOKERMAG.COM page 7
page 8
Minnesota Poker Magazine
june 2010
to live the lifestyle that they want. For me, the freedom and
flexibilty I have is what makes it glamorous and a dream job.
BM: Have there ever been months or stretches where you
thought seriously about taking a path other than poker?
MK: Yes. There were times early in my poker career
where I wasn’t disciplined enough to smartly manage my
bankroll. Having to ask my family and friends for money to
live or play poker made me consider a different job. But I
eventually learned from my mistakes and how to be smarter
with my bankroll and the tournaments that I played in.
BM: Live tournament experience? Do you have live tournament aspirations?
MK: As far as the larger tournaments, I have played in a
few of the LAPT, APPT and WSOP events. I have also played
in a few live tournaments at different casinos and at Canterbury Card Club. I would eventually like to be able to play in
all of the big tournaments and less online.
BM: It looks like you log a ridiculous amount of volume. How
many tourneys per day, at a time? Do you play cash too? What’s
a typical day like for you?
MK: I mainly focus on multi-table tournaments. When
I start my sessions, I usually will play a lot of games at a
time—eight or nine—and hope to make a serious run in 2-3
of them. How many tourneys I play per day usually varies,
but I would say I average about 20 on the days that I play.
BM: Family? Any friend/family objections to playing poker?
Most people who aren't in the "poker loop" seem to get nervous
about the idea of playing professionally.
MK: Some members of my family were a little apprehensive about me playing poker for a living. But as I became
more serious about it for my future, my family learned to
accept it just like any other job. My fiancé still gets a little
nervous when I play and tends to give me advice about “being careful.”
BM: Overall, what kind of a style do you play to be so consistent and successful online? Would you classify yourself as ultraaggressive, tight-aggressive, tight, etc?
MK: I would consider myslef ultra-aggressive but I am
quick to pay attention on when I need to change gears. I try
to focus on picking up as much information as I possibly can
about each player and every situation.
BM: Do you have friends you bounce poker thoughts off of?
Anyone you talk to often to help improve your game?
MK: I have a group of friends who I can share ideas with
and vice versa. My two brothers also play poker and we are
able to give each other advice and learn from one another.
BM: Do you have any online poker goals or expectations? Like
getting to the top of the online standings? Or are you simply
playing for the money and lifestyle it provides to you?
MK: Obviously, it would nice to be at the top of the online
standings. But it is most important to me to continue to learn
and improve the way the I play. Being able to look back
at how I played and be satisfied with it means a lot to me
rather than just getting lucky and not playing my best.
BM: Is there anything you can think of that has helped you
bring your game to such a high level, anything you do well that
amateurs fail to do?
MK: My brother introducing me to the concept of “M” and
also improving on playing the person/situation instead of my
cards. Those factors have really helped bring my game to a
higher level.
BM: You’re ranked #1 in Minnesota over a ton of great players, has it sunk in as to what a great accomplishment it is to get
there? Does it weigh on your mind every day just trying to stay
in that spot? Knowing there are a ton of players playing every
day to move up? Or is that not a big concern for you?
MK: No it hasn’t really sunk in to me how much of an accomplishment it is. Like I said before, I am trying to continue to learn and improve my game rather than focus on
where I am ranked. Even though it is nice to be # 1 in the
state! I have a lot of respect for the other players and it is
challenging just to be able to get to this spot let alone be
able to stay in it!
MNPOKERMAG.COM june 2010
Minnesota Poker Magazine
MNPOKERMAG.COM page 9
Minnesota Poker Magazine
page 10
june 2010
Tournament Results
Black Bear
Date:
4/4
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Pete Wong
2
Jake Bernhardson
3
Shawn Nelson
$100
20
Amount
$ 1,000
600
400
Black Bear
Date:
4/11
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Vincent Hinchlitte
2
Charles Goldsworthy
3
Najuyen Long
$100
27
Amount
$ 1,350
810
540
Date:
4/18
Type:
NL
Rank
Name
1
Joe Prigge
2
Erik Kimble
3
Josh Maida
Black Bear
Buy-in:
Entrants:
$100
38
Amount
$ 1,520
1,140
760
Black Bear
Date:
4/25
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Ron Roscoe
2
Lafonzo Sims, Sr
3
Matt Krall
$300
29
Amount
$ 1,160
870
580
Canterbury Park
Date:
4/7
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Mark Hodge
2
Steve Buie
3
Tom Tracy
$200
53
Amount
$ 4,770
2,650
1,590
Canterbury Park
Date:
4/21
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Vern Stordahl
2
Andy Foss
3
Lisa Kittleson
$200
49
Amount
$ 4,410
2,450
1,470
POY
3.0
2.0
1.0
Canterbury Park
Date:
4/25
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Kevin Marcotte
2
Sara Allgood
3
Danny Allgood
$500
90
Amount
$ 15,750
9,000
5,625
POY
18.0
16.0
14.0
POY
3.0
2.0
1.0
Canterbury Park
Date:
4/28
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Jeff Sepulvado
2
Kye Longtin
3
Tom Burandt
$200
37
Amount
$ 3,330
1,850
1,110
POY
7.5
6.0
4.5
POY
4.0
3.0
2.0
Grand Casino - Hinckley
Date:
4/3
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Peixin Liu
2
Cheryl Westlund
3
Daniel Muccio
$100
20
Amount
$
800
600
400
POY
3.0
2.0
1.0
POY
4.0
3.0
2.0
Grand Casino - Hinckley
Date:
4/10
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Pexin Liu
2
Kenny Dorman
3
Bridgette Allen
$100
28
Amount
$ 1,340
900
560
POY
3.0
2.0
1.0
POY
7.5
6.0
4.5
Grand Casino - Hinckley
Date:
4/17
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Dave Danielson
2
Jennifer Cuddihy
3
Joshua Holland
$100
41
Amount
$ 1,640
1,025
820
POY
3.0
2.0
1.0
POY
7.5
6.0
4.5
Grand Casino - Hinckley
Date:
4/24
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Linda Kruse
2
Roy Culbertson
3
Charlie Hamers
Grand Casino - Hinckley
Date:
4/25
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Mike Hiatt
2
Ken Gjerde
3
Steve Moilan
$100
Amount
$ 1,587
1,148
741
POY
5.0
4.0
3.0
$300
Amount
$ 3,330
2,220
1,332
POY
9.0
7.5
6.0
Grand Casino - Mille Lacs
Date:
4/2
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Terry Stumvoll
2
Jason Mutschler
3
Jeff Webber
$130
24
Amount
$ 1,185
780
530
POY
4.0
3.0
2.0
Grand Casino - Mille Lacs
Date:
4/9
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Joe Kagel
2
Ron Imgrund
3
Lance Lucas
$130
21
Amount
$ 1,030
685
465
POY
4.0
3.0
2.0
MNPOKERMAG.COM june 2010
Minnesota Poker Magazine
page 11
Tournament Results
POY
4.0
3.0
2.0
Running Aces
Date:
4/20
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Tom Burandt
2
Justin Mason
3
Gail Eliason
$150
51
Amount
$ 2,597
1,484
1,113
POY
7.0
6.0
5.0
POY
5.0
4.0
3.0
Running Aces
Date:
4/27
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Ray Bendijo
2
Jeremy Ewing
3
Kevin Gullikson
$150
52
Amount
$ 2,648
1,513
1,135
POY
7.0
6.0
5.0
POY
4.0
3.0
2.0
Treasure Island
Date:
4/5
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Ricky Jones
2
Stephanie Wicks
3
Gary Kjelland
$60
35
Amount
$ 1,372
1,004
532
POY
6.0
5.0
4.0
POY
5.0
4.0
3.0
Treasure Island
Date:
4/12
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Roger Kjome
2
Jim Balk
3
Chris Campbell
$60
31
Amount
$ 1,342
994
522
POY
6.0
5.0
4.0
POY
6.0
5.0
4.0
Treasure Island
Date:
4/19
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Aaron Johnson
2
John Ripstra
3
Brian Fogarty
$60
44
Amount
$ 1,569
1,173
579
POY
6.0
5.0
4.0
$30
47
Amount
$
486
216
162
POY
6.0
5.0
4.0
Treasure Island
Date:
4/26
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Ambrose Blenker
2
Jim Olson
3
Justin Giblerston
$60
47
Amount
$ 1,608
1,126
603
POY
6.0
5.0
4.0
Northern Lights
Date:
4/27
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Leo Jacobson
2
Craig Green
3
Durwin Matuska
$30
48
Amount
$
497
221
166
POY
6.0
5.0
4.0
Running Aces
Date:
4/6
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Carl White
2
Kent Allen
3
Gary Swangstue
$150
57
Amount
$ 2,905
1,660
1,245
POY
7.0
6.0
5.0
Running Aces
Date:
4/13
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Kenny Vang
2
Jim Lessard
3
Everett Carlton
$150
46
Amount
$ 2,343
1,339
1,004
POY
7.0
6.0
5.0
Grand Casino - Mille Lacs
Date:
4/16
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Josh Cox
2
Lance Lucas
3
Erv Bjerga
$300
20
Amount
$ 1,170
780
390
Grand Casino - Mille Lacs
Date:
4/23
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Lance Lucas
2
Sue Roberts
3
Jim Fleming
$130
24
Amount
$ 1,185
780
530
Grand Casino - Mille Lacs
Date:
4/30
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
David Mandt
2
Rob Isakson
3
Tazo Schafer
$130
26
Amount
$ 1,285
845
575
Northern Lights
Date:
4/6
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Frank Schaaf
2
Arlan Hagen
3
George Kinker
$30
39
Amount
$
404
224
134
Northern Lights
Date:
4/13
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
Arlan Hagen
2
Arvid Christensen
3
Tim Ludi
$30
41
Amount
$
424
189
141
Northern Lights
Date:
4/20
Buy-in:
Type:
NL
Entrants:
Rank
Name
1
James Samuelson
2
Brad Mayer
3
Steve Johnson
MNPOKERMAG.COM Top ten
Tournament Players
1
Jeremy Dresch:
This one is easy. Dresch made history
by becoming the first player to ever
win two Heartland Poker Tour events.
Not only that, but he did it back-toback over consecutive weekends in
October and November. Dresch also
final tabled the Fall Poker Classic
Main Event, and he won the first
Minnesota State Poker Tour event of
2010 as well, at Grand Casino Mille
Lacs in February.
2
Everett Carlton:
Carlton is absolutely crushing
live poker tournaments, both in
Minnesota and in Las Vegas. After
reaching the final table of back-toback MSPT events, Carlton won
the first major tournament of his
career—a $21,336 score in a World
Series of Poker Circuit event at
Caeser’s in Las Vegas. A few days
later, Carlton final tabled another
Circuit event for $7,566. Carlton also
leads the MNPokerMag Player of the
Year race by a mile.
one-year
Retrospective
3
Mike
‘babyshark33’
Kachan:
Has net profited just under $180,000
in online multi-table tournaments
already in 2010. Kachan, who
generally plays as many as 20
tournaments per day, has tallied 99
wins since the beginning of 2008
across Full Tilt and PokerStars. That’s
just insane.
4
Lance
‘kingpin023’
Harris:
In February, Harris hit the jackpot by
taking down the FTOPs $1k event for
$331,000. Then in April, Harris nearly
won a second FTOPs title, instead
finishing sixth for $24,600 in event
5—a $100 rebuy tournament with a
field of 1,936.
Top ten
Tournament Players
5
Eric ‘AceQuad’
Brix:
In January, Brix had the score of
his life when he won the PokerStars
Sunday Million for $179,446 (after
chop). He followed that up by
reaching the final table of PokerStars
SCOOP event 9-L $22 Mixed Hold’em
6-Max for $5,746.
6
3-Putts:
It’s entirely possible that with a
lucky break or two, 3-Putts would
top this list. He finished runner-up
in three of the biggest tournaments
in the state last year—the State
Poker Championship, the Twin Cities
Poker Open, and the Midwest Poker
Classic Main Event. ‘Putts did end
up winning the Trent Tucker Celebrity
Tournament, however, to ease the
pain a bit, boosting his 2009 earnings
well over $100,000.
one-year
Retrospective
7
Alec ‘aabomb09’
Anderson:
Anderson was on the first ever cover
of MNPokerMag in June, 2009 after
outlasting 3-Putts heads-up to win
the State Poker Championship at
Canterbury Park for $65,955. He’s
also been consistently ranked in
the top 10 on PocketFives.com for
Minnesota online players. Anderson’s
biggest online accomplishment so far
in 2010 is finishing ninth in the Full
Tilt $1 Million Guaranteed tournament
on April 18 for $14,714.
8
John Dragich:
Prior to winning the inaugural
MSPT event at Canterbury Park
in December for $34,765, Dragich
finished 11th in the Fall Poker Classic
Main Event for $2,270, and seventh in
Fall Poker Classic event 3, for $2,561.
If you ask players on the local circuit,
they’ll tell you Dragich is one of the
most feared tournament players
around.
Top ten
Tournament Players
9
Matt Leshovsky:
“Magic” Leshovsky overcame a 4:1
chip deficit to outlast 3-Putts headsup in the Midwest Poker Classic
Main Event at Running Aces last
September, taking home $37,315.
Leshovsky also reached the final
table of the April MSPT event,
finishing ninth for $4,958.
10
Dan Dow:
Dow has been a fixture near the top
of the POY standings since February,
when he won the $600 buy-in Island
Tournament at Treasure Island Casino
for $10,000. Dow, who utilizes an
uber-aggressive style, followed up
by winning the March $1k Island
Tournament as well, for $13,800.
Minnesota Poker Magazine
june 2010
page 21
Tournament Scene
Marcotte wins Canterbury’s
Anniversary Tournament
By Minnesota Poker Magazine Staff
A
s part of its grand re-opening in April, Canterbury
Park held a $550 buy-in Anniversary Tournament,
drawing a 90-player field that included some of the
state’s top players.
Among the final three were Sara and Danny Allgood—an
established, poker-playing, married couple—and Kevin
Marcotte, who wound up taking home the $15,750 first
place prize.
Sara Allgood recently took third place in a Venetian
Deep Stack event in Las Vegas for $6,659. Danny Allgood
won a Fall Poker Classic event back in 2008 for $22,646.
The tournament took place less than two weeks after
Canterbury opened the doors on its newly renovated
card room—a $1.2 million project that took three months
to complete.
Kevin Marcotte
Results: Canterbury Park
10-Year Anniversary Tournament
Sara Allgood
Brian Gabrielle
Danny Allgood
Buy-in: $500 +50
♣ 90 entrants
Place
Player
1
Kevin Marcotte
2
Sara Allgood
$9,000
3
Danny Allgood
$5,625
4
Brian Gabrielle
$4,500
5
John Olson
$3,375
6
3-Putts
$2,475
7
Dmitri Soudakov
$1,800
8
William Weber
$1,350
9
John Alexander
$1,125
John Alexander
MNPOKERMAG.COM Cash
$15,750
Minnesota Poker Magazine
page 22
local
Tournament Results
june 2010
1.Black Bear Casino
Carlton, MN
www.blackbearcasinoresort.com
card rooms
2.Canterbury Park
Shakopee, MN
www.canterburypark.com
3.Diamond Jo Casino
Northwood, IA
www.diamondjoworth.com
4.Fortune Bay Casino
Tower, MN
www.fortunebay.com
4
6.Grand Casino—Mille Lacs
Onamia, MN
www.grandcasinomn.com
• Bemidji
11
14
• Moorhead
8
• Duluth
94
1
5
94
12
10
Mpls/St. Paul
2
1. Shooting Star Casino
1
Mahnomen, MN
www.starcasino.com
13
• Mankato
35
90
90
3
9. Prairie's Edge Casinio
Granite Falls, MN
www.prairiesedgecasino.com
0.Running Aces Harness Park
1
Columbus, MN
www.runningacesharness.com
94
9
7. Jackpot Junction Casino
Morton, MN
www.jackpotjunction.com
8.Northern Lights Casino
Walker, MN
www.northernlightscasino.com
35
6
7
5. Grand Casino—Hinckley
Hinckley, MN
www.grandcasinomn.com
2.St. Croix Casino
1
Turtle Lake, WI
www.stcroixcasino.com
3.Treasure Island Casino
1
Welch, MN
www.treasureislandcasino.com
4. White Oak Casino
1
Deer River, MN
www.whiteoakcasino.com
MNPOKERMAG.COM Minnesota Poker Magazine
page 26
june 2010
Grinder Chronicles
Don’t you
wanna’
win?
by Jacob Westlin
There is but one main objective when playing poker. Making money.
Sure, many people play simply for entertainment, and
that’s an equally noble purpose. In fact, the “for-fun” players
are the most enjoyable to play with, as they rarely get angry
or frustrated with losses. I envy their careless nonchalance.
I’m beginning to find, however, that there’s a large sect of
the poker community so caught up in individual glories and
personal vendettas as to sabotage not only the cordial atmosphere at the table, but also their own chances at success.
There seem to be a number of players more interested
in defending some ill-conceived notion of “honor” than
actually winning. This ideology can manifest itself in a few
poorly executed poker plays. For instance, there’s the man
who raises at peculiar times, not based on the strength of his
hand or a strategic ploy, but rather, as a way of proving his
manliness.
This man limps into the pot, as do three other players
before the button raises. Action folds back to this man, who
now back-raises, making it three bets! Why does he do this?
Because he has a superb hand? Because he’s laid a trap,
and now springs into action? No. He raises because he hates
being raised himself, and he’s a man! He isn’t going to stand
for it! “How dare you raise ME? Take this! Ah ha! He’ll think
twice before raising me again!” No, sir, he won’t, because he
has kings, and you have 5-6.
The bottom line is that this man takes the game way too
personally. The raiser generally isn’t raising YOU; he’s raising because he has a good hand, and wants to add money to
the pot while protecting his holding. You know, something
a thoughtful poker player would do. Players like this will
often call on the river with no more than king-high, without
a chance of it being good, simply because folding appears
“weak.” It makes no logical, profitable sense; however, many
players, particularly men, will employ this strategy.
Taking the game too personally can reach beyond defending your own macho image at the table. Sometimes the game
becomes so personal for players that they begin gunning for
a single opponent. This version of tilt almost always ends in
dejection. Poker is a game of patience, waiting for moments
to spring into action, taking money from whoever happens
to be in your path. The two-seat’s $40 will buy just as much
as the six-seat’s $40. I know, I know, there are players who
make us sick to our stomachs when we see them scoop a pot.
But focusing on his losses rather than your wins creates a
conflict of interest. His admittedly entertaining sorrow will
not pay your mortgage.
Finally, there is the player so infatuated with creating deception and uncertainty that he forgets to win money. These
players have an almost sexual lust for the check-raise. They
looooooooove it! Check-raising has its place, but more often
than not, the straight-up play will earn the most money. But,
would you rather attempt to humiliate your opponent, or win
more money? The player who has Q-Q, and flops Q-9-9, only
to check it down, always entertains me. He’s hoping somebody will bet along the way, I suppose, and he’ll be able to
trick you with a check-raise! Oooh, gotcha!
A hand came up recently, and unfolded as follows. The
flop was 5-6-10, with two spades. My opponent had 6-6, and I
had A-J of spades. He checked the flop, I bet, and he called.
The turn was the 2 of diamonds, and he once again checked.
I bet again. He called. The river was the 2 of spades, and he
once again checked. I bet, and he raised.
Because of the board-pair, I decide to just call. He earned
7 small bets in this scenario. If, however, he played the hand
with the intention of winning money rather than the intention of concealing the strength of his hand, his victory is
larger. Let’s say instead of checking the flop, he bets. I probably raise with two over-cards and the nut flush draw, and he
can three-bet. He could bet the turn, and I would call. The
river would likely go bet, raise, re-raise, call. (I feel more
comfortable making it two-bets on the river with a flush than
making it three-bets after a check-raise, as in the previous
scenario.) Here, he makes 11 small bets.
Occasionally these unwise motives are rooted in good
intentions. Even then, I’m afraid, I cannot justify deviation
from your one ultimate goal of making money. It happens all
the time at the limit table: Action folds to the button, and
he shows the small-blind and big-blind his A-Q as he mucks.
What a nice fella, hmm? He’s letting the blinds chop, and
move on to the next hand. Why? I suppose because he wants
everybody to remain friendly. But correct me if I’m wrong,
sir, isn’t the entire atmosphere at the gambling establishment centered on the motivation to take one another’s mon-
MNPOKERMAG.COM june 2010
Minnesota Poker Magazine
page 27
Grinder Chronicles
ey? That being the case, you find yourself in a prime position
to pick up a little extra with a strong hand on the button,
and you forfeit this opportunity in the name of… kindness?
I… I… don’t understand. If this is how you view poker, why
do you bet your quads on the river when I only have a flush?
That hardly seems friendly, pal! You have a better hand than
me, I didn’t know that! Why are you taking my chips, buddy?
Be nice!
I clearly do not advocate anything unethical as a means of
winning money. I just don’t understand the array of ulterior
objectives at the poker table. You must utilize every legal
and reasonable tool you have to earn the most. Who cares if
your opponents looked silly on a single hand, or if the player
you hate most went broke? In what way do these things matter when you’re at home after a session, staring your wins
and losses in the face?
Poker books of recent may have taken a more accurate
turn in strategy to accommodate the modern world of the
totally undecipherable. But when I began coming to poker
consciousness, I found myself increasingly frustrated by
the rather large gap between the way my hold'em-manuals
would tell me a hand would unfold, and ho
Jacob Westlin of Minneapolis is a semi-professional poker
player specializing in limit Hold ‘em. Read his blogs at
www.mnpokermag.com.
Paul Marquette
(763) 639-4803
Proudly serving NW Central Minnesota,
from the Twin Cities to St. Cloud.
Marquette
Your Contractor For:
Roofing
Siding
Remodeling
We work with all insurance companies for your damage restoration needs.
MNPOKERMAG.COM Minnesota Poker Magazine
page 28
june 2010
daily
Tournaments
4
11
14
All tournaments are subject to change. Check with each card
room for updates. For additional tournament listings visit
MNPokerMag.com
8
1
6
5
12
CODE
10
H
NH
LH
NH
L
S
7
3
Hold em
No Limit Hold em
Limit Hold em
No Limit
Limit
Stud
7-Card Stud
3-Card Poker
O
H/L
Po
B
Sp
Al
Z
Q
Omaha
High/Low Split
Pot Limit
Bounties
Spread
Alternates
Freezeout
Qualify
SUNDAY
TIME
GAME
Sh
+
F
La
HH
DC
Sa
Pi
1-Jun
TUESDAY
MONDAY
BUY-IN
TIME
GAME
BUY-IN
Black Bear
TIME
GAME
BUY-IN
12P
NH+
$25
Fortune Bay
GC - Mille Lacs
7
3
3-Jun
THURSDAY
GAME
BUY-IN
4-Jun
FRIDAY
TIME
GAME
BUY-IN
12P
NH+
$25
TIME
GAME
5-Jun
SATURDAY
BUY-IN
TIME
GAME
12P
NH+
BUY-IN
$40
$175
10:30A
7:30P
6:30P
NH
NH
NH+
$40
$230
$35
10:30A
NH
$40
10:30A
NH
6:30P
NHB+
$40
3:00P
NH
$60
8P
NH+
$50
6P
NH
$115
$60
$60
12:15P
6:15P
NHAl
NH
$50
$140
2:15P
NHAl
$110
$60
12:00
6:30P
NH+
NH+
$5
$20
12P
NH
$50
$65
$30
10:30A
NHZ
$65
9:30A
2P
NHAl+
NHAl+
$65
$235
7P
NH
$45
7P
NH
$60
6P
NH
$30
7P
NHB+
$40
6P
NH
$60
12:15P
6:15P
NHZ
NHAl
$60
$50
12:15P
6:15
4P
NHAl
NHAl
NHSa
$50
$80
$50
12:15P
NHZ
6:15 NHAlB
6:30P
NH
$30
3:30
S
$10
6:30P
2P
6:30P
NHAl+
NHAl+
$30
$185
12P
4P
NHAl+
NHAl+
$40
$65
Jackpot Junction
Northern Lights
TIME
13
9
2-Jun
WEDNESDAY
Canterbury Park
GC - Hinckley
2
Shootout
Rebuys, Add-Ons OK
Freeroll
Ladies Special
Headhunter
Dealer's Choice
Satellite
Pineapple
NH
Prairie's Edge
Running Aces
7P
Shooting Star
LadNH $25/$40
Treasure Island
12P
6P
7P
White Oak
Diamond Jo
NH
NHF
NH
$25
$30
$55
6P
NH+
$60
6P
NHB+
$50
6P
NH+
$30
6P
NH
$30
7P
NHB
$65
2P
NH+
$35
6P
NH+
$60
12P
NH+
$75
Turtle Lake
6-Jun
SUNDAY
Black Bear
Canterbury Park
Fortune Bay
7-Jun
MONDAY
8-Jun
TUESDAY
9-Jun
WEDNESDAY
TIME
GAME
BUY-IN
TIME
GAME
BUY-IN
TIME
GAME
BUY-IN
12P
NH
$110
6P
NH+
$50
12P
NH+
$25
12P
6:30P
2P
Sa
NH
NH+
$100
$40
$15
10:30A
NH
$40
5P
7P
Prairie's Edge
Running Aces
Shooting Star
Treasure Island
White Oak
Diamond Jo
Turtle Lake
GAME
TIME
GAME
BUY-IN
12P
NH+
$25
6:30P
NHB+
$40
3:00P
NH
$60
6P
8P
NH+
$50
6P
NH
$115
$60
$60
12:15P
6:15P
NHAl
NH
$50
$140
2:15P
NHAl
$330
2P
NHSa
$75
$60
12:00
6:30P
NH+
NH+
$5
$20
12P
NH
$50
$65
$30
10:30A
NHZ
$65
9:30A
2P
NHAl+
NHAl+
$65
$235
7P
NH
$45
7P
NH
$60
6P
NH
$30
NHB+
NH
12:15P
6:15P
NHZ
NHAl
$60
$50
12:15P
6:15
4P
NHAl
NHAl
NHSa
$50
$80
$50
12:15P
NHZ
6:15 NHAlB
2P
NH
$40
6:30P
NHB
$30
6:30P
NH
$30
3:30
S
$10
6:30P
6P
NH+
$60
$45
$0
$65
2P
6:30P
NHAl+
NHAl+
$30
$185
12P
4P
NHAl+
NHAl+
$40
$65
$70
6P
NH+
$70
$75
6P
NH
$25
2P
DC
$55
6P
NH
$35
6P
NHLa+
$35
12P
6P
7P
NH
10:30A NHAl+
2P
NHAl+
LaNH $25/$40
NH
NHF
NH
$25
$30
$55
$40
$175
NH
$50
$60
NH
BUY-IN
10:30A
NHAl
NHAl
NH+
NH+
$40
NHAl+
3P
GAME
12P
NH
12:15P
6:15P
4P
TIME
12P
$110
7P
12-Jun
SATURDAY
BUY-IN
$40
$230
$35
NHAl
10:00A NHAl+
6:00P NHF+
11:30P
NH
GAME
NH
NH
NH+
2:15P
$40
$65
$65
$75
TIME
10:30A
7:30P
6:30P
$60
10:30A NHAl+
3P
NHAl+
7P
NHAl+
2P
NHB
11-Jun
FRIDAY
10-Jun
THURSDAY
BUY-IN
$40
Jackpot Junction
Northern Lights
TIME
$25
GC - Hinckley
GC - Mille Lacs
10:30A NHAl+
2P
NHAl+
6P
NH+
$60
6P
NHB+
$50
6P
NH+
$30
6P
NH
$30
7P
NHB
$65
2P
NH+
$35
6P
NH+
$60
12P
NH+
$75
MNPOKERMAG.COM Minnesota Poker Magazine
june 2010
13-Jun
SUNDAY
Black Bear
Canterbury Park
Fortune Bay
14-Jun
MONDAY
16-Jun
WEDNESDAY
TIME
GAME
BUY-IN
TIME
GAME
BUY-IN
TIME
GAME
BUY-IN
12P
NH
$110
6P
NH+
$50
12P
NH+
$25
12P
6:30P
2P
Sa
NH
NH+
$100
$40
$15
10:30A
NH
$40
GC - Hinckley
GC - Mille Lacs
15-Jun
TUESDAY
2:15P
NHAl
$110
Prairie's Edge
Running Aces
Shooting Star
Treasure Island
White Oak
Diamond Jo
2P
NH
$40
6P
NH+
$60
10:30A NHAl+
3P
NHAl+
7P
NHAl+
2P
NHB
3P
3
4P
NH+
$40
$65
$65
$75
$20
$70
TIME
GAME
17-Jun
THURSDAY
BUY-IN
Fortune Bay
10:30A
NH
$175
NHB+
3:00P
NH
$60
8P
NH+
$50
6P
NH
$115
12:15P
6:15P
NHAl
NH
$50
$140
2:15P
NHAl
$110
2P
NH
$75
NHAl
NHAl
$50
$60
12:15P
6:15P
NHZ
NHAl
$60
$50
12:15P
6:15
4P
NHAl
NHAl
NHSa
$50
$80
$50
12:15P
NHZ
6:15 NHAlB
6:30P
$30
6:30P
NH
$30
3:30
S
$10
$45
$0
$65
2P
6:30P
NHAl+
NHAl+
$30
$185
12P
4P
NHAl+
NHAl+
$40
$65
6P
NH+
$60
6P
6P
NH+
$30
NH
$75
6P
NH
$25
2P
DC
$55
6P
NH
$35
12P
6P
7P
$25
$30
$55
Prairie's Edge
Running Aces
Shooting Star
Treasure Island
White Oak
Diamond Jo
22-Jun
TUESDAY
GAME
BUY-IN
TIME
GAME
BUY-IN
TIME
GAME
BUY-IN
12P
NH
$110
6P
NH+
$50
12P
NH+
$25
12P
6:30P
2P
Sa
NH
NH+
$100
$40
$15
10:30A
NH
$40
5P
NHAl+
$25
7P
NHB+
Fortune Bay
GC - Hinckley
GC - Mille Lacs
Jackpot Junction
Northern Lights
Prairie's Edge
Running Aces
Shooting Star
Treasure Island
White Oak
Diamond Jo
TIME
GAME
BUY-IN
12P
NH
$50
10:30A NHAl+
2P
NHAl+
$65
$30
10:30A
NHZ
$65
9:30A
2P
NHAl+
NHAl+
$65
$235
7P
NH
$45
7P
NH
$60
NHB+
$50
6P
NH
$30
6P
NH
$30
7P
NHB
$65
2P
NH+
$35
NH+
$60
NH+
$75
TIME
GAME
BUY-IN
12P
NH+
$25
6:30P
NHB+
$40
3:00P
NH
$60
6P
NH
$60
8P
NH+
$50
6P
NH
$115
$60
$60
12:15P
6:15P
NHAl
NH
$50
$140
2:15P
NHAl
$110
$60
12:00
6:30P
NH+
NH+
$5
$20
12P
NH
$50
$65
$30
10:30A
NHZ
$65
9:30A
2P
NHAl+
NHAl+
$65
$235
7P
NH
$45
7P
NH
$60
NHAl
NHAl
NHSa
$50
$80
$50
12:15P
NHZ
6:15 NHAlB
2P
NH
$40
6:30P
NHB
$30
6:30P
NH
$30
3:30
S
$10
6:30P
6P
NH+
$60
$45
$0
$65
2P
6:30P
NHAl+
NHAl+
$30
$185
12P
4P
NHAl+
NHAl+
$40
$65
$70
6P
NH+
$70
$75
6P
NH
$25
2P
DC
$55
6P
NH
$35
12P
6P
7P
28-Jun
MONDAY
$25
$30
$55
6P
NH+
$60
6P
NHB+
$40
12P
OH+
$50
NH+
$30
6P
NH
$30
6P
NH
$30
7P
NHB
$65
2P
NH+
$35
6P
NH+
$60
12P
NH+
$75
30-Jun
WEDNESDAY
GAME
BUY-IN
TIME
GAME
BUY-IN
TIME
GAME
BUY-IN
12P
NH
$110
6P
NH+
$50
12P
NH+
$25
12P
6:30P
2P
Sa
NH
NH+
$100
$40
$15
10:30A
NH
$40
11A
NH
$330
5P
NHAl+
$25
7P
NHB+
2:15P
NHAl
$110
2:15P
NHAl
$110
2:15P
2P
NHSa
$75
2P
NH
$40
6:30P
NHB
$30
6P
NH+
$60
$45
$0
$65
$40
$65
$65
$75
10:00A NHAl+
6:00P NHF+
11:30P
NH
TIME
GAME
BUY-IN
10:30A
7:30P
6:30P
NH
NH
NH+
$40
$230
$35
$40
6P
NH
$60
NHAl
$110
2:15P
NHAl
$110
4P
NHSa
$50
6:30P
NH
$30
3:30
S
$10
2P
6:30P
NHAl+
NHAl+
$30
$185
12P
4P
NHAl+
NHAl+
$40
$65
6P
NH+
$60
6P
NH+
$30
7P
4P
NH+
$70
6P
NH+
$70
3P
NH
$75
6P
NH
$25
2P
DC
$55
6P
NH
$35
12P
6P
7P
10:30A NHAl+
2P
NHAl+
6P
29-Jun
TUESDAY
TIME
10:30A NHAl+
3P
NHAl+
7P
NHAl+
2P
NHB
NH
LadNH $25/$40
NH
NHF
NH
LadNH $25/$40
NH
NHF
NH
$40
$330
$40
12:15P
6:15
4P
NH
BUY-IN
NH
$60
$50
NH+
NH+
10:30A
NHZ
NHAl
3P
GAME
12P
$40
12:15P
6:15P
4P
TIME
NH
$50
$60
$50
7P
BUY-IN
12P
NHAl
NHAl
NHB
10:00A NHAl+
6:00P NHF+
11:30P
NH
GAME
$40
$230
$35
12:15P
6:15P
6P
$40
$65
$65
$75
TIME
26-Jun
SATURDAY
NH
NH
NH+
$110
10:30A NHAl+
3P
NHAl+
7P
NHAl+
2P
NHB
12P
25-Jun
FRIDAY
10:30A
7:30P
6:30P
$25
$30
$55
Turtle Lake
$5
$20
NHAl
2:15P
27-Jun
SUNDAY
Canterbury Park
NH+
NH+
24-Jun
THURSDAY
Turtle Lake
Black Bear
12:00
6:30P
23-Jun
WEDNESDAY
TIME
Jackpot Junction
Northern Lights
$60
6P
21-Jun
MONDAY
NH
$60
$60
LadNH $25/$40
NH
NHF
NH
$40
$40
12:15P
6:15P
7P
BUY-IN
NH+
$40
$60
$70
GAME
12P
NH
NH
NH+
TIME
12P
6P
6P
BUY-IN
6:30P
$40
10:00A NHAl+
6:00P NHF+
11:30P
NH
GAME
$40
$230
$35
NHB+
NHB
TIME
NH
NH
NH+
7P
3P
GC - Hinckley
GC - Mille Lacs
$25
$25
20-Jun
SUNDAY
Canterbury Park
BUY-IN
NH+
19-Jun
SATURDAY
10:30A
7:30P
6:30P
Turtle Lake
Black Bear
GAME
12P
NHAl+
6:30P
18-Jun
FRIDAY
TIME
5P
Jackpot Junction
Northern Lights
page 29
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www.MinnesotaStatePokerTour.com
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Minnesota Poker Magazine
page 30
june 2010
Bar League Happenings
Minnesota Poker League
Little Poker League
www.mnpokerleague.com
www.littlepokerleague.com
Gold Rush 2 Leaders as of 5/15/10
Season: 12 "Bracelet 3" as of 5/15/10
Player
Wins
Points
Player
1. Will Fisher
4
1,495
1. Ron Hacker
732
2. Damien Charnoski
3
1,315
2. Doug Wessels 623
3. Keith Abrahamson
3
1,130
3. Rick Johnson Sr. 611
4. Mike Wang
4
1,090
4. Paul Reimer 546
5. Kirk Kuznia
4
900
5. Bud Abbott 534
6. Angie Bellino
3
815
6. Leon Quarve 440
7. Robin Mason Greene
1
815
7. Mike Roberts 417
8. Tom Annonson
1
815
8. Jim Ellingson
411
9. Jim Samuelson
2
765
9. Lenny Anderson 394
10. John Cordts
2
755
10. Earl Cline 369
Points
WPT
Amateur Poker League
www.amateurpokerleague.com
Southern MN 2010 Regional Leaderboard as of 5/15/10
Season: Bracelet "4"
Player
Points
1. Bob Watson
5,696
2. Allan Litwin
4,964
3. Al Daugherty
4,899
4. David Dorn
3,741
5. Debbie Arens
3,728
6. Laurel Bahn
3,718
7. Rick Gunderson
3,402
8. Anthony Lorinser
3,270
9. Chris Clark
3,258
10. Tom Lacrosse
3,202
MNPOKERMAG.COM Minnesota Poker Magazine
june 2010
page 31
Bar League Happenings
Straight Flush Poker Tour
Chippy Poker League
www.sfpokertour.com
Summer 2010 Leaders as of 5/15/10
www.chippypoker.com
2010 Season 2 standings as of 5/15/10
Wins
Points
Player
1. Mike Beberg
2
2,649
1. Justin "Steak 'Ums" Green
281
2. Jack Petschl
1
2,424
2. Tom Tezak
245
3. Julie Christiansen
3
2,033
3. Michael A Flasch
238
4. Alicia
-
1,908
4. Sharon Arneson
232
5. Nancy Petschl
1
1,902
5. Tom Chan
231
6. Scott Clark
1
1,718
6. Morten Arneson
230
7. Carol Carstenbrock
1
1,638
7. Douglas "King Bee" Behrens
207
8. Angela Thomson
3
1,535
8. Cathy Olin
204
9. Matt Hansen
-
1,533
9. Nick Janowiec
202
10. Dave Fadness
-
1,472
10. Randy "Crickets" Burns
199
Player
The Bar Poker League
™
IT’S THE REAL DEAL!
www.TheBarPokerLeague.com
Division Leaders as of 5/15/10
Player
Division
Points
1. Reese
Big Slick
4,215
2. Scarf
Big Slick
1,580
3. Hangman
Bullets
2,650
4. troublemaker
Bullets
2,530
5. Mallard
Cowboys
3,920
6. kokomo
Cowboys
3,485
7. The_Assasian
Hooks
2,830
8. Kamibari
Hooks
2,695
9. hopper54971
Wisconsin 2,575
10. prngknf
Wisconsin 2,245
MNPOKERMAG.COM Points