Mike Sexton: Well Vince we have a treat for the people today. Not only are we going to be watching poker from two different venues (Pokerstars and Empire Poker) and following the live action across 5 tables, but we're going to focus on another game.

Vince Van Patton: And that game is Limit Texas Holdem Mike.

MS: Some people have made fun of this type of Holdem poker Vince, saying it limits your wins and you can't keep the suckers from drawing out on you but I am hear to tell you that when played by the true masters this game is anything but limiting.

VVP: That's right Mike, and not only that we are going to get to focus in on one of the true limit grinders around, Piers Majestyk.

MS: Yes he has been around for quite a few years. I remember having a talk with him back in the mid 90's at Binions. He was just starting out then but was holding his own against some former world champions in the mid limit games there. He has definately paid his dues and is not one to be taken lightly across the green felt. Not only that he is riding a 58 day winning streak. He has really been running well.

VVP: That is pretty strong Mike. The only think I can compare that streak to was when I lost 63 consecutive sets back when I was playing tennis professionally.

VVP: Well we've heard some about what it takes to be a winning NL player but are those the same traits that a limit player needs to beat the games.

MS: Somewhat so Vince. In my mind the key traits are patience, a good understanding of pot odds and more importantly how to manipulate pots at times to your advantage to maximize your wins. While you can't use the large bets like in NL to drive opponents out of a drawing situation you can make it more costly for them by using such weapons as the check raise. A world class limit player knows how to extract the maximum given the situation and they are equally adept at getting away from situations were they are likely a dog.

VVP: Well Piers sure isn't lacking in the patience department. I've heard some say he is tighter than a frog's ass and it's waterproof.

MS: That's true Vince but when he is involved in a hand you better be careful because he can be an extremely crafty competitor.

VVP: Let's get to the action Vince. The games have just started with Pier's posting the Big Blind in the first hand of the day.

Mike Sexton: Yeah nothing to get excited about as he picks up the K9o. Not a hand you typically want to get involved in if there is any strength shown preflop.

VVP: Well right on que it's folded around to the button who raises and he's not joking around Mike, he has picked up American Airlines on the very first hand. If Piers calls here he isn't going to like it.

MS: Yeah I don't think he will get involved with such a mediocre holding here Vince.

VVP: Well he decides to call Mike. I guess he didn't want to be pushed around early by a potential button steal but he's up against it.

MS: Here's the flop VInce, . That's not alot of help to Piers although he did flop a gut shot draw and has an over card. Let's see what he does.

VVP: The button isn't playing around with that draw laden board Mike he fires in a bet.

MS: Pier's may make a play at this pot with his draw in a semi-bluff.

VVP: You're right Mike, he's not calling. He fires in a raise.

MS: Well the button isn't having any of it Vince, he just popped him again. I can't think that Pier's likes that much.

VVP: He may not like it much but he looks like he's grabbing more chips.

MS: Amazing stuff here. Piers has just capped the flop off with nothing but a gutshot draw. I've seen some amazing stuff Vince but this is quite stunning. He must really put the button on some type of A high or a draw which he may be able to make him lay down by the river, but I don't really like this play Vince as it's just putting too many chips at risk from my point of view with his hand.

VVP: Definately Mke, this is not what I expected to see from what I have heard about this guy being so tight. He would make Linda Lovelace look like a virgin here Mike.

MS: Well he is definately going to need some help here or his day is going to be off to a rocky start. Here comes the turn card.

VVP: My god what a card. The just dropped off the deck to give Piers his gut shot straight.

MS: Well he has definately got to like that and with the flop action I think he can rule out AK for the button. He fires a bet and just gets called so he knows he is in the driver's seat and just has to fade one of the 3 remaining Kinds to take down a nice pot VInce.

VVP: Here's the river Mike, a and that's that Mike. American Airlines goes down in the first hand against a very unorthidox move by Piers.

MS: Well that's how it is sometimes Vince. Those powerhouse starting hands just fall to wayside in sometimes mysterious fashion.

VVP: Well the fireworks have already started Mike and it's only in August. Going to be interesting to see what happens next.

MS: Well here we have the next hand VInce. Piers is in the BB again with . Not a bad hand at all but certainly doesn't want to see a raise.

VVP: Well right on que Mike a late position player has raised and been called in one spot.

MS: Piers isn't going to like that but I can't see him not calling here and hoping to get lucky.

VVP: Yes there is the call and the flop is .

MS: Well I can tell you this Vince. That is not the flop Piers was looking for with those two raises behind him. He's picked up middle pair and a backdoor flush draw. He checks.

VVP: Well the first raiser is checking Mike. The pocket cam shows him having , maybe he's afraid of his kicker or perhaps is going for a check raise.

MS: Little does he know Vince that the button cold called with and has him in serious trouble. He fires a bet in.

VVP: It's on Piers now. Going to be interesting to see if he can get away from this hand.

MS: Well Vince he's got a difficult decision here facing the action thus far. He has potentially 5 outs that will him the best hand as well as a backdoor flush draw and the pot is laying him 7.5:1 now. He may take one off and see what develops.

VVP: Yeah there he goes Mike, he calls the bet.

MS: Uh oh, the preflop raiser has decided to raise it here. I think that is a bad decision here given his kicker but who knows what he is thinking.

VVP: The late position player just calls giving Piers a tough calll. He can't like his hand very much at all.

MS: Your right VInce. The raiser could very well have AQ and have him drawing nearly dead here but he is getting 11.5:1 on his call so he may just do it.

VVP: You're right Mike he makes the call. Here's the turn card. BINGO the hits giving Piers two pair and the lead in the hand. Let's see how he plays it.

MS: I think he has to still be a little afraid here even though he hit one of his money cards. I think he may just check call and see the action.

VVP: You're right again Mike, he checks and the preflop raiser fires another barrel and is called by the button and Piers. Let's see the river.

MS: The river card is a Vince. That certainly didn't change anything and unless Piers folds to some wild action he is going to take down another hand. He checks.

VVP: The preflop raiser still likes his A9o and fires again. The button calls and Piers calls as well.

MS: He is going to be pleasantly surprised here Vince as he pulls in another pot.

VVP: Is this guy good Mike or just lucky.

MS: Well you don't stay around in this game for 10 years on luck along Vince although it certainly doesn't hurt to have it on your side at opportune moments like we've seen thus far.

VVP: Well we have time for one more hand before we have to cut for a station break. this one's on PokerStars and it looks like Piers has picked up a big hand Mike.

MS: Yes he has the cowboys UTG and raises. I can tell you this Vince, when this guy raises UTG you better have a VERY serious hand to get involved.

VVP: Well that EP raise doesn't seem to phase these guys. We have a MP caller and both blinds come along for the ride. The cam isn't picking up the hole cards of the callers yet.

MS: Well the flop is . Not a perfect flop for KK and three callers but I guess it could be worse as he also holds the . Let's see how he plays it.

VVP: As suspected it's checked to Piers and he bets. The late position players doesn't want any of it and folds but both blinds call.

MS: Yeah Vince this has to concern Piers a little as the blinds could have anything as loose as some of these guys play.

VVP: Here's the turn, .

MS: If he was ahead on the flop that card certainly shouldn't hurt him.

VVP: Both blinds check again and Piers bets.

MS: The small blind calls again.

VVP: The BB is reaching for chips Mike. Looks like he is going to pop it up.

MS: He does raise Vince. That is not a good sign for Piers. I'm sure he will just call here and hope to pick up a flush draw or at least look for a cheap showdown in case he is still ahead here. The small blind calls as well.

VVP: Here's the river Mike, it's the . What kind of luck sack is this guy. He just caught the best card in the deck giving him the AK high flush.

MS: Yeah he is liking that card.

VVP: I think I just heard him say "How you like it now" to the BB.

MS: Well that didn't phase the BB Vince he bets into Piers again.

VVP: Oh my god Mike, the pocket cam has finally caught the big blinds hand and he has the .

MS: Holy smoke Vince, this guy called a preflop raise with 24s and flopped a straight flush. You know what the odds of that are Vince?

VVP: I don't know Mike but it can't be good, I would put it somewhere in the neighborhood of the chance you'd get laid by Liz Lieu

MS: Well actually Vince it's alot worse than that. About 1 time in 10,204 chances.

VVP: That's nice Mike but lets talk about Liz. I don't know how much of a poker player she is but I can think of another game or two I would like to play with her. Oh yeah we're still on the air. This could get ugly for Piers Mike.

MS: Yeah Vince he is going to lose the maximum here as I don't think anyone gets away for less than 4 bets here on the river.

VVP: There he goes, Piers raises and gets three bet before his chips hit the pile.

MS: I don't even think it crosses his mind that the BB could have the . I bet when he sees this hand he is glad it isn't at the NL tables.

VVP: Yeah that would be really ugly Mike.

MS: Well there he puts the cap on it and is called and see the chips sliding to his opponent.

VVP: Yeah he is in shock it looks like Mike.

MS: I agree Vince. Looks like he is getting up from the tables for a break after that hand.

PStars 10-20 limit 6 max, 12 hands, 86.00
Empire 24 limit, 282 hands, -15.00
Rakereturn: 30.75
Total: 101.75
Time: 1h35m

A pretty slow day today. Just a terrible afternoon session of 24 limit were I was down about 100 in 50 hands or so but staged a little comeback.

Hey piers--Empire's rake return is THAT significant? Where did you sign up for that? I currently don't have an Empire account, only an old dead Party account!

That is my rake total from yesterday. Since they don't update until the following day I include the previous day rake return in the total of the following day.

On a pretty good run today with the exception of running into rolled up 2's twice in 12 hands of 5-10 Stud H/L.

30-60 Stud H/L, 6 hands, 175.00 (This really is a gem of a game with some good donators many times)
5-10 Stud H/L, 12 hands, -135.50
5-10 Limit, 106 hands, 418.00
3-6 Limit, 93 hands, (-38.50)
NL 200 Stars, 175 hands, (-36.55)
NL 200 Party, 73 hands, 49.65
Stud Tournament, (-22.00)
Rake return: 6.28
Miscellaneous: 8.98
-----------------------------------------------
Result: 425.36
Time:3h55m

Played just one round of 5-10 limit this morning with a maniac but he left after the first couple of hands so I did as well. Made 39.00 for my efforts.

Think I am going for another countryside drive today to get out of the city and relax and drink a few cervezas along the way.

Well my drive got cancelled as it looked like rain and the motor on the windshield wipers has gone out. Ended up being a nice clear day but oh well. Haven't felt much like playing today so I haven't

5-10 limit, 5 hands, 39.00
2-4 limit, 45 hands, 18.73
Rake return: 11.53
Various: 14.30
--------------------
Total: 83.56
Time: 20m

My good fortunes continue. I have been taking some selective shots at some higher limit games when I see a high % of fools. Was checking out PStars this morning and saw a 6 max 400 NL table with average pots of over 250.00. There was no list but I just watched for about 20 minutes and there were two pretty big fools there. One with a VIP 77% PFR 55% and the other with VIP 65% or so and PFR 18%.

When a seat came open to the left of the Maniac I decided to take it. I folded a couple of orbits while they were firing it up and then got A10o and reraised his usually 16.00 raise to 40.00. He called and I bet the rag flop and took it down. Next hand I play I get 66 and call his 16.00 raise as does one other and the other fool. Flop comes 743 (2 hearts). He leads for 63.00 and I min-raise to 126, he calls, a offsuit J hit turn and I go all in for 280 or so and he folds. Last hand I call a miniraise with J9o from BB by other fool. Flop comes K10x. I check and he bets 4.00 into the 18.00 pot. I call and the turn card is a 8 giving me an OE draw now and he bets 16.00 into the 26.00 pot. This guy bluffs WAY to much from what I have seen of his play thus far so I call looking to hit my straight or some other decent bluffing card. A 10 comes off on the river and I am pretty much ready to give this hand up unless he makes another bet on the river. Well he fires out 20.00 into the 68.00 pot and I CR him to 100 and he folds up shop.

This guy actually made a bluff of 4.00 into a 700.00 pot against the Maniac and took it down when the maniac mucked and then he showed Q high. They are still at it if anyone wants to mix it up, Table Julia.

Well first out at the heralded TW challenge when I managed to flop 2 pairs 4 times and got them all shoved up my ass But alot of fun nonetheless (there's your word TW)

5-10 limit, 208h, 126.00
50 NL, 146h, 19.45
0.02-0.04, hands, all of them, -3.01
TW payment, -10
Rake return: 2.92
Various: 23. 89
-----------------------------------
Total: 160.24
Time: 5h

Started off the day dealing with beaurocratic bullshit trying to get a Venezuelan ID card that ended up being all for not and so I returned home and decided to work a little on the Empire bonus. I started 4 tabling 50 NL and just took some gawd awful beats that had me down about 3.5 buy ins so I decided to push the envelope a little bit and jumped into some short handed 200 NL games and managed to win just a little, then I jumped into a 400 PL Holdem game which for the whole time I was there thought it was a NL game but that didn't matter too much as I dropped a little over 100 there. Thought what the hell I need to be playing some limit so I popped up into a 20-40 game and lost about 150 then decided to drop down to 15-30 and 10-20 and won some back then I made the move to the 600 NL game and put just a gawd awful asswhipping on a cat to end up positive for the day thus far. Guess I am just running really, really good as although I am sometimes getting cracked at the lower limits I am more than holding my own at the bigger limits and I'll take that trade off any day. Winning streak is currently at 64 days. Without a doubt my longest positive daily winning streak in 11 or so years of playing.

20-40 limit, 18 hands, -148.00
15-30 limit, 11 hands, 63.00
10-20 6 max, 12 hands, 40.00
NL 600, 16 hands, 462.08
PL 400, 65 hands, -134.15
NL 200 6 max, 40 hands, 17.10
NL 100, 8 hands, 1.00
NL 50, 119 hands, -169.75
Rake: 11.72
Various: 23.31
-------------------------------------
Total: 166.31
Time: 2h30m

Another slow day at the office. Just haven't felt like putting in alot of time so I have just been piddling off and on at the lower limit tables. I think I am going to start putting in some more effort at the PL Omaha H/L tables as I spent just a little bit of time there today and the play is pretty atrocious from what I saw. Did manage to rustle up another batch of shrimp fettucini so all is well on the eating front.

50 PL Omaha H/L, 41 hands, 26.27
25 NL, 55 hands, 0.50
0.05-1.00 limit, 209 hands, 3.76
Rake: 5.07
Various: 18.38
-------------------------------------------
Total: 53.98
Time: 1h55m