PokerStars floats cap game question

On Tuesday I received a survey from PokerStars that floated the idea of changing the minimum buy-ins at NL tables and introducing 20 big-blind maximum tables, known as "CAP" games on FullTilt.

The questions included:

- If PokerStars introduces tables where no player could wager more than 20 big blinds in any one hand (also called ‘CAP’ games), how will you react?

- How would you feel if PokerStars changed minimum and maximum buy-ins to offer 20BB - 50BB buy-in tables and 50BB - 100BB buy-in tables?

It also asked me to choose one of the following statements:

I would like to see 'cap' games added
I would like to see deepstack games added, 100BB - 200 BB
I would like to see the minimum buy-in raised on 20BB-100BB tables
I would like new buy-in limits introduced to keep deepstack and shortstack players on separate tables.

On the 2+2 forums, the PokerStars VIP manager said there have been surveys out to "casual" players and input from forum members. A decision with any changes is expected to be announced in April. Here's the link to that thread.

Personally, I suck at CAP games. It would be interesting to see 200 big-blind deep stack NL games, like Full Tilt has, at 'Stars.

But I think the real question is whether 'Stars can come up with something like Full Tilt's "Rush Poker" that has revitalized the game.

Rush poker -- HOTD

The opponent could have had a flush but it seemed unlikely given where he called the hand from.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - View hand 557271

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter



BB: $107.90

UTG: $86.80

UTG+1: $109.50

UTG+2: $143.90

MP1: $103.70

MP2: $102.00

CO: $123.30

BTN: $50.00

Hero (SB): $136.30



Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is SB with K A

UTG calls $1, 6 folds, Hero calls $0.50, BB checks



Flop: ($3.00) 7 A K (3 players)

Hero checks, BB checks, UTG bets $3, Hero raises to $12, BB folds, UTG calls $9



Turn: ($27.00) 8 (2 players)

Hero bets $21, UTG calls $21



River: ($69.00) 4 (2 players)

Hero bets $102.30 all in, UTG calls $52.80 all in



Final Pot: $174.60

UTG mucks A J

Hero shows K A (two pair, Aces and Kings)

Hero wins $171.60

(Rake: $3.00)

Rush poker: presto gets there again

This is the second of two presto hands I boated up on today and dragged in nice pots. I think I should have folded the flop, but I called and got bailed out by his turn check. I guess lower limits are for mistakes.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - View hand 554536

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter



BB: $208.00

UTG: $85.65

UTG+1: $162.05

Hero (UTG+2): $101.50

MP1: $41.20

MP2: $221.60

CO: $114.80

BTN: $44.90

SB: $60.30



Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is UTG+2 with 5 5

2 folds, Hero raises to $3, 2 folds, CO calls $3, 2 folds, BB calls $2



Flop: ($9.50) 4 T 5 (3 players)

BB checks, Hero bets $7, CO raises to $30.50, BB folds, Hero calls $23.50



Turn: ($70.50) 3 (2 players)

Hero checks, CO checks



River: ($70.50) T (2 players)

Hero bets $68 all in, CO calls $68



Final Pot: $206.50

Hero shows 5 5 (a full house, Fives full of Tens)

CO mucks T A

Hero wins $203.50

(Rake: $3.00)

Seminole Hard Rock -- "They should call this place valuetown"

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- It looked too good to be true. I had the ace-jack of clubs and I was looking at an open-ended straight draw and the nut flush draw all on the flop.

Fifteen outs twice. Of course I was getting my money in.

Only "my money" wasn't really much money to speak of. At the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, the no-limit Texas Hold'em $1/2 blinds game is capped at 50 big blinds, or $100. Plus this dude betting out the flop only had $35 left to his name.

So I raised him all-in. Turn came the 4 of clubs, giving me the nut flush. I resisted the urge to flip my cards over, since I knew what was coming. River was a red 4, pairing the board and giving the dude nines full.

Oh well. That's why there is bankroll.

I decided to run out here since I thought it was close to my hotel. I got here when the Hammer of Dawn said "10.3 miles." I had a long way to go back.

I don't think I've ever been on an Indian reservation before. Down the street is an older Seminole property, the Seminole Casino. It had more of a locals, down-to-earth feel to it -- you could buy a quick snack of a hot dog and a beer for old-school prices -- 99 cents.

Outside there were lots of little shops selling discount tobacco -- no federal taxes? Otherwise the reservation property just looked like any other town in the area.

My one thought about the Hard Rock's poker room is that it's a separate building that you reach outside the casino, in the open-air mall of shops and eateries. Not really a problem but I love hearing the sounds of slot machines and people yelling at the tables.

Later on I watched a pair of elderly people dismantle the guy who doubled up through me and another fish -- the other fish kept on going against an elderly woman whose ace-queen top pair top kicker destroyed his queen-rag.

"They should call this place valuetown," I told the guy to my left.

My day included visiting a jai-alai track (Dania Beach) and another track-style casino to add to my poker chip collection.

Looking to play poker in Florida

I haven't had time to play poker -- even Full Tilt's very lucrative Rush Poker -- lately, but I'm looking forward to being able to play some live hands in a few days when I travel with the gf to Hollywood, Fla.

She has a conference there, leaving a cat with plenty of free time. I'm thinking of going to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino and Hotel, looking forward to playing there despite probable wonky buy-in rules for the games.

Can't wait.

Rush poker -- HOTD

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - View hand 524563

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter



BB: $334.40

UTG: $124.90

UTG+1: $100.00

UTG+2: $69.60

MP1: $41.85

MP2: $108.30

Hero (CO): $141.90

BTN: $112.10

SB: $154.95



Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is CO with T T

2 folds, UTG+2 calls $1, 2 folds, Hero raises to $4.50, 1 fold, SB calls $4, 2 folds



Flop: ($11.00) 4 7 T (2 players)

SB checks, Hero bets $8, SB raises to $20, Hero raises to $71, SB raises to $150.45 all in, Hero calls $66.40 all in



Turn: ($285.80) K (2 players - 2 are all in)



River: ($285.80) A (2 players - 2 are all in)



Final Pot: $285.80

Hero shows T T (three of a kind, Tens)

SB shows 7 7 (three of a kind, Sevens)

Hero wins $282.80

(Rake: $3.00)

Rush poker -- eight high

I don't think I've ever won a hand with 8 high before.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - View hand 524561

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter



MP1: $84.00

MP2: $57.45

CO: $59.65

BTN: $589.45

SB: $110.95

BB: $273.75

UTG: $114.60

Hero (UTG+1): $117.60

UTG+2: $40.50



Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is UTG+1 with 8 7

UTG raises to $2, Hero calls $2, 1 fold, MP1 calls $2, 4 folds, BB calls $1



Flop: ($8.50) Q 3 2 (4 players)

BB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $6, MP1 calls $6, BB folds, UTG folds



Turn: ($20.50) A (2 players)

Hero bets $14, MP1 calls $14



River: ($48.50) 2 (2 players)

Hero checks, MP1 checks



Final Pot: $48.50

MP1 mucks 6 5

Hero shows 8 7 (a pair of Twos)

Hero wins $46.10

(Rake: $2.40)

Rush poker -- button open raising

Here's a good example. If the table you're at looks nitty, try raising ATC from the button. You'll want to make note of the ones who 3 bet you. Sometimes they try to lay in wait...

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - View hand 524529

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter



MP2: $34.70

Hero (CO): $108.50

BTN: $82.25

SB: $78.10

BB: $420.45

UTG: $107.05

UTG+1: $109.20

UTG+2: $191.30

MP1: $99.00



Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is CO with 4 7

5 folds, Hero raises to $3, 1 fold, SB calls $2.50, 1 fold



Flop: ($7.00) 4 4 5 (2 players)

SB checks, Hero bets $6, SB raises to $12, Hero raises to $43, SB raises to $75.10 all in, Hero calls $32.10



Turn: ($157.20) K (2 players - 1 is all in)



River: ($157.20) 5 (2 players - 1 is all in)



Final Pot: $157.20

Hero shows 4 7 (a full house, Fours full of Fives)

SB shows A A (two pair, Aces and Fives)

Hero wins $154.20

(Rake: $3.00)