Playing on the PokerStars Big Game

[donkbee]

Many of you know that I was selected by PokerStars to play on their TV show, The Big Game, back in February. I flew to Vegas and spent a day playing a 200/400 100 ante 6-max cash game with Daniel Negreanu, Phil Laak, Bryn Kenney, Randy Lew, and Rick Salomon.

I wanted to make this thread to answer questions (if anyone has any). It's been months since I played, so I obviously can't remember a lot of details anymore. I'm sure a bunch of them will come back to me as I watch the shows.

So go ahead and ask me stuff, and if I can answer, I will! I have lots of time today cuz I busted my WSOP event yesterday

Here's a link to my first episode:

The Big Game 2 - Week 2, Episode 1 on PokerStars.tv

[donkbee]

I haven't watched the first show yet. I just brought a netbook to Vegas and it takes like 3 hours to load an entire show. SIGH.

[Warpe]

Watching. Cool to see you *in person*

[Penneywize]

arrrggh I've been waiting for so long to see this episode, I'm guessing it's airing now? dunno if I can just watch it online

Edit: Ok fine I'll watch a bit

What a loldumb question at the beginning of the show, were you taken aback at how retarded that was?

[eugmac]

Awesome! You're adorable! So happy for you!

[donkbee]

What a loldumb question at the beginning of the show, were you taken aback at how retarded that was?

lol it STILL hasn't friggin loaded for me yet, so I don't know what question it is (that makes it sound like they asked me lots of dumb questions... which may or may not be true ) Will report back later!

Thanks Warpe and eugmac

[bikes]

55 FOLD UTG WTF

[donkbee]

don't blame me, blame sauce!!!

[donkbee]

I knew ppl were gonna be "omg wtf" about that. I'm happy with it

[bikes]

folding 99 ip to nano squeeze wat?

[bikes]

what a sick slowroll by daniel in the QQ < 77 hand

[fjuanl]

folding 99 ip to nano squeeze wat?

i like the fold a lot, and then for some reason daniel explained it right before he called pre

[boost]

you're such a hudge nit, cbee.

[Penneywize]

did they replace the play-by-play guy this season? seems different

[Nekrogovner]

You should've totally setmine with all PPs. And valuebet nanonoko thin on the river i thinks with that queens. Just hope you don't lose, Canadians might destroy another town like that time when they lost a hockey game.

[donkbee]

you're such a hudge nit, cbee.

are you referring to 55 and 99 like everyone else? or is there something else that you would have played?

I just kept hoping for like A4s or 98s! I had to fold everything else!

99 was a soul read obv

TBH I don't remember playing most of these hands. I didn't remember playing the QQ with Randy.

did they replace the play-by-play guy this season? seems different

yeah it was Chris Rose last season. He left for other opportunities I think (but on good terms). When I was in Vegas in February, they hadn't chosen his replacement yet.

[supa]

So much fun to watch. Nit it up and leave with their moniez. GG.

[bikes]

You should've totally setmine with all PPs. And valuebet nanonoko thin on the river i thinks with that queens. Just hope you don't lose, Canadians might destroy another town like that time when they lost a hockey game.

vbing that thin against nano in this spot prolly not the best idea, checking has a lot of value for future hands

[supa]

LOL quote of the show:

"Ricks made a value bet with 4th pair so thin Kate Moss tried to give it a sandwich."

[baudib]

who was the biggest douchebag off camera?

[donkbee]

I wish I had some dirt to dish, but I don't! They're all stand up guys and I liked them all a lot.

Rick didn't seem to want to talk much off camera, but I doubt it's because he's unfriendly. I only have good things to say about my interaction with him.

I didn't get the chance to talk to Randy. He seemed really shy away from the table. I met him again in Vegas just a couple days ago though. Confirmed shy but very nice.

I talked to Bryn after the taping and he was very friendly. Extremely confident guy too.

Daniel is obviously talkative and friendly. I liked him quite a bit both on and off the table.

I didn't really get the chance to talk to Phil either but he seemed okay. A funny story was that he actually came into the green room dressed in sweats which pissed the producers off. They wanted him to change into something else. Phil complained that Jason Mercier came dressed all casual-like last season, so why can't he? I don't think they made him change in the end.

[Nekrogovner]

Hmm, so question. Did you do some homework on players before going to big game? Negreanu is quite exploitable, and I think he has some nasty tells, but I never really focused on spotting them, and there sure is bunch of materials over the whole last season of big game.

Randy is also a tellfest. Just gotta go after the chips and if you see his face go WTF?? then SPEWWWWWW!!!

[donkbee]

I didn't know my lineup until the morning of. I did take notes on Daniel before going to Vegas, but he and Phil were the ones in the lineup that I could have expected to play. Bryn, Randy, and Rick were all new to this season.

[fulksy]

just watched it, didn't get many hands eh. Hoping i get to see you walk out of there with all their monies.

[BooG690]

Which of your competitors were you most intimidated by? I would personally expect Negreanu...you know, having position on you and all.

Also, when you <3'd be on Twitter, did you really mean that?

[Micro2Macro]

c'mon guys

u can't expect an 80 pound asian woman to play as loose and aggro as you

[Penneywize]

c'mon guys

u can't expect an 80 pound asian woman to play as loose and aggro as you

fucking dumbest question ever amirite

i mean, reallllly?! no hate for amanda leatherman but......... for srs?!!!

[bigspenda73]

ya but one of the reasons ctb is on the show is b/c she's an attractive 80lb AZN female, so I think you can live with a dumb question or two for a $100k "freeroll".

ctb lookin hot, would smash, dtheezy runs good at life.

[lolzzz_321]

creepers gonna creep

tbh though i follow cbee everywhere... on twitter!!!

[donkbee]

Which of your competitors were you most intimidated by? I would personally expect Negreanu...you know, having position on you and all.

Yeah I didn't really want Daniel to my direct left cuz I knew he would call me really often and then I'd have to play a bunch of pots OOP. But then again TBH, that's probably the case for all of the players at the table except mayyyybe Phil.

I think overall I was most scared of Bryn cuz he's kind of crazy and obviously so good. I also knew that he and Randy were going to be raising my blinds very often (and then probably calling 3bets), so that made it interesting for me.

Also, when you <3'd be on Twitter, did you really mean that?

Obv! I'm shocked you asked this. Do you think I just go spreading my <3 around to everyone that asks for it??

fucking dumbest question ever amirite

i mean, reallllly?! no hate for amanda leatherman but......... for srs?!!!

haha oh yeah I forgot to report back! Yeah def a meh question. With a predictable answer...cuz what can I say other than what I said? And I got totally flamed for it on 2p2 cuz they were like "oh she said she doesn't play like her size dictates but she's so weak/tight loool yeah right" etc.

They did that quite often though. Obv the producers have something in mind that they think sells, so they gear their questions trying to get certain answers. It was annoying sometimes when I knew they were trying to create a certain impression of me that I didn't want to give.

[donkbee]

ctb lookin hot, would smash, dtheezy runs good at life.

Haha ty. I am actually really disappointed with how I look. I'm not very good on camera imo and they did a horrible job with the makeup on me (esp in my feature, good lord...that lady needs to learn how to put makeup on Asian women). but compliment accepted

thanks for watching guys!!

[Galapogos]

Haha ty. I am actually really disappointed with how I look. I'm not very good on camera imo and they did a horrible job with the makeup on me (esp in my feature, good lord...that lady needs to learn how to put makeup on Asian women). but compliment accepted

thanks for watching guys!!

Are you fucking kidding me? I thought I had a crush on you before I saw you here! You look seriously oh my god so hot!

Btw, is that Rick Solamon dude the guy the guy that made a porn with Paris Hilton?

[Halv]

Gee-enius!

Rank the pros by smell plz.

[bigspenda73]

Btw, is that Rick Solamon dude the guy the guy that made a porn with Paris Hilton?

yes

[rpm]

i'd have had a tough time folding 99 to nanonoko in that 3b pot. 99 is certainly in good shape against his 3b range (perhaps even more so vs you because he probably thinks his postflop edge is greatest against you and thus wants to iso you more pre). that said i'd have no fucking clue what his actual 3b range was composed of, or how to play OOP postflop.

also, don't know what nano was trying to do firing the river w/QQ on A river in that pot vs daniel.

[Galapogos]

i'd have had a tough time folding 99 to nanonoko in that 3b pot. 99 is certainly in good shape against his 3b range (perhaps even more so vs you because he probably thinks his postflop edge is greatest against you and thus wants to iso you more pre). that said i'd have no fucking clue what his actual 3b range was composed of, or how to play OOP postflop.

also, don't know what nano was trying to do firing the river w/QQ on A river in that pot vs daniel.

I would fold 99 there in a heartbeat. He doesn't have a static 3betting range. You have cb who hasn't been playing a lot of hands opening it up utg and call station dn in the pot. That's going to be a value 3bet plain and simple. She can't call and stack him with a set, he'll smell that like a fart in a car on all but the best of boards. And she can't outplay nanonoko OOP when she doesn't hit the set.

[d0zer]

Haha ty. I am actually really disappointed with how I look. I'm not very good on camera imo and they did a horrible job with the makeup on me (esp in my feature, good lord...that lady needs to learn how to put makeup on Asian women). but compliment accepted

thanks for watching guys!!

gtfo you looked great. A little nervous obv but you played it all pretty classy without seeming uptight.

[givememyleg]

the one liners and commentary were pretty lame but the line "so if courtney loses her $100k she really will be seeing stars" bahaha

1st ep was super boring, hope you get into some hands in the next few!

[givememyleg]

also lol at everyone saying youre playing too tight... that was what, 25 hands? obv nothing playable

[baudib]

Just watched, good stuff.

I think the 99 fold is pretty good, I think cuz you raised UTG and were the tightest player by far through the first show, DN's not calling with his usual suited garbage. He said he had a really good hand, and for Nano to squeeze there when he had a terrible table image indicated a lot of strength -- he had just flatted with TT earlier (I suppose you didn't see his hand and wouldn't have known that though.) lol @ DN for not getting full value when luckboxing the turn.

Obviously card dead; only decent spot to steal was the K4s on the btn and I don't say that because you would have made the nuts -- nit (Laak) in the BB and a straddle from a guy who will defend pretty wide.

OK, so awkward, but must be said -- Courtie's really cute and the nervousness just made her even more adorable. I think appropriate response to dumbass question would have been: "Well, I'm actually skinnier than you, Amanda + hotter + AZN + I didn't fuck Joe Sebok, you pig."

If BG were on this show he'd have been drooling all over the table.

[baudib]

oh and lol @ the turds on 2+2 commenting, I've read/participated in a lot of the Big Game threads and everyone posting just hates on everyone usually.

[kiwiMark]

Gee-enius!

Rank the pros by smell plz.

I like you.

[baudib]

I watched episode 2....I won't give too much away because I'm sure most haven't seen it but two quick comments:


*************EPISODE 2 SPOILER ALERT****************************************


1. pretty fking sick that Nano always has it against cb. Courtie, did you have a feeling that he had you crushed and that he was 3-betting a tight range against you when he was 3-betting wide against everyone else?

2. donking with AJo -- yes based on your image he should be folding a ton but have to say you looked very uncomfortable/weak (easy to say when I can see holecards, obv., but you made a little reflexive grimace after seeing the flop) and unfortunately he had a premium draw.

[Halv]

Link to episode two is needed!

[Kits]

Yay. Go you. Haven't watched the second part yet but good stuff so far.

[givememyleg]

how did you watch ep 2 already? it isn't on the site.

[kiwiMark]

Still bummed you weren't allowed to wear an expertly sourced patch, although you would've for sure had to wear a different top so maybe it's all for the best.

[rpm]

i assume you were thinking/analysing/worrying (if you're anything like me) about the event in the lead up to the game. was the actual experience more or less nerve-wracking than you anticipated? do you feel you kept a level head at the table and played as best you could have expected yourself to? or do you think the adrenaline/excitement/whatever made you play differently than you would have if it wasn't for such high-stakes, against such big-names, and broadcast onto national television?

not implying i think you played bad or anything like that. the only hand in the 1 episode i've seen where you made a decision i would even think to question was the 99 UTG hand vs nanonoko. and two players who are far better than i am have already stated they think your play in that hand was completely standard.

[Galapogos]

how did you watch ep 2 already? it isn't on the site.

Torrents

[Jack Sawyer]

Link to episode two is needed!

This man speaks the truth!

Also, congrats Courtie for swimming with these big fish! I didn't see it entirely as it won't load in its entirety on my comp for some reason, but I hope you took em for every dime they had!

[baudib]

pokercast.tv

[Sasquach991]

The Big Game 2 - Week 2, Episode 2 on PokerStars.tv

Enjoy watching courtie. Must have been exciting as hell. Players are giving you kudos for playing tight but the annoying announcers are not.

Did they talk to you before the show about how you are going to play and make any suggesstions or just let you play your way?

[bikes]

thoughts on the AJo v kenney on 984 plz

[bigspenda73]

thoughts on the AJo v kenney on 984 plz

loltourneydonk100%cbetlol

[StarGrinder]

So jealous Courtie. DN is a tell machine. Also, you're hot. Gonna go watch ep 2 now... FTR FTW!

[rpm]

how did negreanu get rich? did he just crush the shit out of the pre-poker boom live games or bink a heap of tourneys or something?

[fulksy]

so who do you hate watching on TV?

[Nekrogovner]

how did negreanu get rich? did he just crush the shit out of the pre-poker boom live games or bink a heap of tourneys or something?

He is crushing big live tourneys. I think he is ahead of Phil Ivey atm in winnings. He sucks in cash games imo, but his style really owns tourney play.

He started as a limit holdem expert, so no wonder he is sucha calling station.

[lolzzz_321]

id c/f

[donkbee]

Are you fucking kidding me? I thought I had a crush on you before I saw you here! You look seriously oh my god so hot!

gtfo you looked great. A little nervous obv but you played it all pretty classy without seeming uptight.

OK, so awkward, but must be said -- Courtie's really cute and the nervousness just made her even more adorable.

So jealous Courtie. DN is a tell machine. Also, you're hot.

now I look like I was fishing for compliments, haha. Thanks boys

Rank the pros by smell plz.

Halv > all of them

oh and lol @ the turds on 2+2 commenting, I've read/participated in a lot of the Big Game threads and everyone posting just hates on everyone usually.

when I'm in a good mood, I find the thread funny. When I'm in a bad mood, it's pretty tilting. The most annoying to read is, "Playing tight is only good if she's going to use her image later... but we all know this isn't going to happen." lol

1. pretty fking sick that Nano always has it against cb. Courtie, did you have a feeling that he had you crushed and that he was 3-betting a tight range against you when he was 3-betting wide against everyone else?

I was really sure that he would not be 3-betting me light (hence the fold). Obviously I know that he has been 3-betting everyone else a ton, but IMO there is just almost no way he 3-bets me light.

I really have to lol @ the commentators. To say that I should not be folding to someone that 3-bets so often is just so frustrating. Please give me credit for having a brain for once...? And then when I fold, it's "omg she's so fucking tight" instead of, "oh... I guess she knows that Lew isn't 3-betting her light." I can't win.

2. donking with AJo -- yes based on your image he should be folding a ton but have to say you looked very uncomfortable/weak (easy to say when I can see holecards, obv., but you made a little reflexive grimace after seeing the flop) and unfortunately he had a premium draw.

Ah well. Wasn't winning that hand no matter what I did, guess I should have saved myself a couple grand.

[donkbee]

i assume you were thinking/analysing/worrying (if you're anything like me) about the event in the lead up to the game. was the actual experience more or less nerve-wracking than you anticipated? do you feel you kept a level head at the table and played as best you could have expected yourself to? or do you think the adrenaline/excitement/whatever made you play differently than you would have if it wasn't for such high-stakes, against such big-names, and broadcast onto national television?

I definitely spent a lot of time preparing for the game. I mostly had to learn preflop ranges for deep cash games because I had zero experience playing that. I got some coaching from a few very good FTR players (thanks sauce123, Renton, and griffey24) and figured out a strategy. I didn't have a lot of options in the first two episodes IMO. Since it's so deep stacked, I was looking to play in position. Unfortunately I didn't get a lot there. If I was gonna play non-premiums OOP, I needed something like Ax suited.

I was EXTREMELY nervous the night before I played. I was definitely a bit nervous at the start, too, but I wasn't nervous once I'd been at the table for a few minutes. It doesn't appear that way, but I actually talked quite a bit at the table. Daniel was really friendly and we had some interesting conversations.

Did they talk to you before the show about how you are going to play and make any suggesstions or just let you play your way?

nah they just told me that I'm not allowed to mention FTR at all :P (they knew that I worked for them)

so who do you hate watching on TV?

haha I did reply to this! I actually said "those Full Tilt pros"... but I can see why they wouldn't air that :P

[baudib]

I was really sure that he would not be 3-betting me light (hence the fold). Obviously I know that he has been 3-betting everyone else a ton, but IMO there is just almost no way he 3-bets me light.

I really have to lol @ the commentators. To say that I should not be folding to someone that 3-bets so often is just so frustrating. Please give me credit for having a brain for once...? And then when I fold, it's "omg she's so fucking tight" instead of, "oh... I guess she knows that Lew isn't 3-betting her light." I can't win.

No one mentioned this but Lew is a live noob (don't know how much live experience you had before this, Courtie) and he was a pretty serious tellbox, esp. when he was 3-betting light. Kudos for picking up on it.

The most annoying to read is, "Playing tight is only good if she's going to use her image later... but we all know this isn't going to happen." lol

Sounds great! Hope you 5-bet shoved 98s and made Laak fold JJ.

I didn't have a lot of options in the first two episodes IMO. Since it's so deep stacked, I was looking to play in position. Unfortunately I didn't get a lot there.

yah, definitely looked like you were card dead. Only playable hands you had IP seemed to be K4cc (folded); you won with A9hh OTB vs. Laak and KJo vs. Nano's EP raise; no JTs/98s/Axs stuff, no ridiculous folds like Matusow folding KQs to a single raise from Dwan, Laak flat-calling with QQ in the SB or anything like that.

I think the most fascinating part of the show through two episodes has been Phil Laak, who check-raised flop with KQ on Axx board and value overbet the river and then barreled twice against DN with A2o.

[BooG690]

Y U NO WEAR WEDDING RING?!?!?

[donkbee]

Thanks for sticking your neck out on 2p2 for me, baudib

Y U NO WEAR WEDDING RING?!?!?

haha I wasn't married yet and an engagement ring never existed.

[baudib]

To induce marriage proposal from Barry G obv.

[baudib]

Thanks for sticking your neck out on 2p2 for me, baudib

hey no prob, i was actually on there defending people i don't even know like that guy Russ from last year (he got coolered every time he had TT+/AK).

[baudib]

haha@ movie star line

[rpm]

^^ yeah i got a chuckle out of that when i realised who that dude was.

[dneureiter]

sigh QQ < TT

[baudib]

FFS POKER GODS

[mbiz]

play some hands courti! you dont win friends with salad

[Nekrogovner]

Tbh, despite your play being a bit nitty ( ), you actually didn't draw too much good holdings. No broadways, no suited goodies. Only nonplayable Q5, A7 and similar stupidities.

[baudib]

That just sets it up for the super insane comeback, felting everyone + winning passport. One time?

[Stacks]

The Big Game 2 - Week 2, Episode 3 on PokerStars.tv

[givememyleg]

ffs why didn't you say one time?!?!