# March of The Penguins - SDMB Pokertropolis Fourth Quarter, 2005 **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 3, 2005, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609 "2005-10-03T17:24:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/241 "2005-12-09T14:48:21Z")
You have to play 3 time per quarter to be ranked. Next week should get you solidly in the hunt! ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/242 "2005-12-09T16:01:47Z")
> [@Oslo Ostragoth](#): > > A couple of things: > > Congratulations to the Dopers who have had recent success. > > I, on the other hand, have had **issues**. > > One was a hardware issue. I tried playing on an old 233MHz computer and it just didn’t work. I now have a faster box which seems to work OK with PT, but: > > I now have connection issues. This week I played a PStars SnG, got busted out when my KK ran up against AA in the first 15 minutes. No prob. Signed up for the next available SnG, and lost my connection. Next night, signed up for a SnG. Connection went off and on and I botted to a 7th place finish, in the money. > > So, until I get some resolution on my connection problems, I won’t be signing up for any tourneys (not even the SDMB berserker). > > I signed up at Bodog and played a couple of hands. I hope I didn’t screw up any referral bonus opportunities for anyone, but I fear I may have. If anyone can shed some light, please do before I commit cash. Well since you already singned up I dounbt that a referrel bonus can be done. Did you sign up through some other special offer, like the $50 sing up bonus? ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/243 "2005-12-09T17:38:25Z")
> [@MissTake](#): > > Is this an error? Am I actually ahead of the Yeti? > :eek: 😃 No error. Just a combination of better finishes for you and early smackdowns for me. That 1st place I got last week was the exception of my total finishes which have been in the room just above the cellar. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/244 "2005-12-09T17:51:51Z")
Yeah, and my 2nd place finish this week would be about 5th place if all the heavy hitters had been onboard. Logarithms, smogarithms. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/245 "2005-12-10T08:05:56Z")
Here’s how your hero did tonight: $25 buy-in, 503 players… 5th place… $742 ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/246 "2005-12-10T08:49:48Z")
Not bad at all. Congratulations, **GOc**. ---
**Author:** ![CapnPitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2005, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/247 "2005-12-10T14:23:22Z")
Shazzam!!! That’s awesome GO. Now about that Christmas present… ---
**Author:** ![Kyyrewyyoae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Kyyrewyyoae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyyrewyyoae)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2005, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/248 "2005-12-14T19:56:56Z")
It’s nothing next to **GO** ’s accomplishment, but I managed 4th place in one of the P’tropolis $10 tourneys. $40 or thereabouts. I noticed they have a $2000 guaranteed tournament on Friday. Steep buy-in ($50), but 2k is a lot of money and there’s only 1 person signed up so far. I might think about it if Friday comes and there’s less than 20 people or so. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2005, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/249 "2005-12-14T22:48:46Z")
I always figured that amount was a guaranteed minimum for the whole prize pool, not just first place. Which still may not be a bad deal. If the number of players times the buy-in (the whole cost to enter) is less that $2,000, then Pokertropolis is putting up some of the money and your expected value is higher than your cost. Go for it. I’ve also seen tournaments cancelled, probably when too few people were entered and Pokertropolis didn’t want to take a bath on it. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2005, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/250 "2005-12-15T00:00:40Z")
> [@Robot Arm](#): > > I’ve also seen tournaments cancelled, probably when too few people were entered and Pokertropolis didn’t want to take a bath on it. Not much of a guarantee , huh? ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2005, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/251 "2005-12-15T00:10:22Z")
Anybody in for tonight’s 99c tourney? I’ve already signed up, and counting down to 9pm. ---
**Author:** ![Kyyrewyyoae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Kyyrewyyoae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyyrewyyoae)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2005, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/252 "2005-12-15T00:19:14Z")
> [@Robot Arm](#): > > I always figured that amount was a guaranteed minimum for the whole prize pool, not just first place. Could be. It says Current 1st Place Prize $2000, but only person has entered. Maybe it’ll change when somebody else enters. I’ll keep an eye on it. The last thing I need is a few more pages in the ol’ “ **Kyyrewyyoae** is a sucker” file. **OMD** , if I get this damn take-home final done at a reasonable hour, I may join you for the 99 cent-er. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2005, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/253 "2005-12-15T00:30:31Z")
I may try the 99-cent tournament tonight. I honestly don’t know what’s going on with my poker mojo at the moment. I’ve been playing quite a lot at the .25/.50 tables lately, and coming out ahead. But I got clobbered in less than an hour in Las Vegas. It still seems like the cards suck, but it’s been going on for too long for me to think it’s just luck anymore. Maybe I had unusually good cards for the first few weeks and got my expectations out-of-whack. I bought a book on how to play and I started doing much better, before I even read any of it. I finished 8th out of 195 a few weeks ago, but even that time the cards seemed pretty lousy and it was two-and-a-half hours into the tournament before I had anything better than two pair. I had someone making the maximum raises with four-of-a-kind on the board and a six kicker in his hand. Does this ever start to make sense? ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2005, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/254 "2005-12-15T04:50:17Z")
I would’ve been in, but I wound up going out for beer and pizza with part of my research group instead. Getting to know and getting along with these people is probably more important than online poker. However, I swear that Thursday is still my poker night with you guys and I shall play no matter what. ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2005, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/255 "2005-12-15T12:44:11Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > I would’ve been in, but I wound up going out for beer and pizza with part of my research group instead. Getting to know and getting along with these people is probably more important than online poker. However, I swear that Thursday is still my poker night with you guys and I shall play no matter what. Don’t worry much about it. **Kyy** and I kept a running commentary with one another during the game, and both got worthless cards the entire time. After about 35 minutes of doing nothing, he went all in on a full house and lost to a bigger boat. The entire night, I was at tables with either (a) overly aggressive players like **bigwabos** , so that the preflop buyin was averaging 200 in the first few rounds of play, and going just as crazy postflop, or else (b) I was with multiple players at the top of the list (at the time I went out, three of the top four in chips were at my table, and two of them were immediately surrounding me). At about 45 minutes, I got a decent hand (got in cheap preflop with A6) when the flop was 68A. Went all in there. Got one caller who had a lame 58off. So really, his odds were riding on another eight in the turn or river, or two fives to come. An eight hit on the turn, and he won with trips. **Kyy** and I agreed after that the 99c is too much like play money, drawing out the crazies who aren’t afraid to go in hard when only a buck is on the line. By the time I paid to see my first flop, easily 15 players had gone out. When I busted at 45 minutes, fully half of the entrants were gone. That’s a lot of aggressive, stupid play at work. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2005, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/256 "2005-12-15T18:05:23Z")
That is pretty much why I stopped playing in the 99 cent tournament. I think it is a good tournament to play in when you are getting started in tournament poker, because it is cheap and you get to play a lot of hands. You can learn what hands to play and how to bet hands, but you also have to be very observant, you get a lot of chasers or people playing weak hands as you mentioned and you might get the impression that that kind of betting pays off, because when it doesn’t you often don’t see the chasers hand as they will muck it. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/257 "2005-12-15T18:30:51Z")
> [@Gangster Octopus](#): > > That is pretty much why I stopped playing in the 99 cent tournament. I think it is a good tournament to play in when you are getting started in tournament poker, because it is cheap and you get to play a lot of hands. I think 1 or 2 table $5 S&G’s are better. You are less likely to have too many crazy players and have a reasonable chance of placing in the money, learn how to play short handed, and how to play bubble situations. All that in addition to seeing enough hands to learn what to play. Plus, they don’t take hours and hours. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2005, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/258 "2005-12-15T20:04:15Z")
I think the guys in the $.99’ers are just maniacs. I think it was the last one I played, finally got a good hand. Me and 2 other guys in the hand, one of them was close to chip leader at the table. I put the check raise on the turn on them, one guy folds, the other guy comes back over me. I don’t see how he can beat me (I’ve been wrong before), so I go all in. He calls. He had trash. I guess he thought I was on a stone bluff, he had a chance to fold after I went in, but he couldn’t beat…anything. ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2005, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/259 "2005-12-15T23:38:41Z")
Time to poke the sleeping dog. ---
**Author:** ![Aholibah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Aholibah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aholibah)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2005, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609/260 "2005-12-16T00:10:55Z")
Hey! I resent that. Sorry guys, I was running late today, but the tournament’s up now. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-of-the-penguins-sdmb-pokertropolis-fourth-quarter-2005/324609.md?page=14)