Here We Go Again at Capitol Casino, poker vlog #96

[@johnruggieri9996]

Hi Doug. Just finished binge-watching the vlog. Only took 6 weeks. Really appreciate the insight to your thought process. Thanks for the education and entertainment. Keep them coming please.

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Thanks for watching John, more to come!

[@rockdamian]

Always a pleasure to see your Vlog! Thank you for the quality content!

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Thanks for watching and for the positive feedback!

[@christopherkenney3581]

RE: your hero call at 14:48.... I just watched a video regarding physical tells by Tom Dwan (i think?) and he was talking about all kinds of tells that could be this or that....then at the very end he said, "but if they take a drink, they always have it". This confirms that tell....might be something to put in your toolbox for later. I will certainly be watching out for it! Thanks for posting up your content, I enjoy watching you think thru these hands.

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Tom would know! He was too comfortable, my initial feeling was that he had it.

[@leehjones]

13:02 Love the 3bet from the CO with the A7s. The *main* reason, which you didn't mention, is that you want to blow the button out so you get the button. That's the single best argument for 3betting there. I'm not sure what you mean by "momentum". The cards don't remember all your runner-runner miracles. If you mean that you have a winning image and the players will fear you now, *maybe* that's true, but be careful of "I'm on a rush, and will always get there" mentality.

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

I used the term momentum in the eyes of my opponents. People feel you are on a heater and will fold marginal hands more often to aggression.

[@rcook2608]

Urrrrgh that rivered 7 for trip 7s vs your jj was a toughie. Thanks for your content

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment! Thank you.

[@brandontaylor8318]

up be at your meet up game this saturday at Hustlers, stoked to be able to play against you!

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Take it easy on me. 😀

[@brandontaylor8318]

@@dougmccuskerpoker pretty sure that’s my line haha

[@dotcom2463]

When you doubled up what did you mean “back in the black”? Does that mean back to even of what you bought in for?

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Went from being stuck to being ahead. Old accounting term from when they used black pens for profit and red pens for losses.

[@dotcom2463]

@@dougmccuskerpoker cool thanks 🙏

[@rickyd7799]

Keep it up big boss!!!

[@richardlollie8746]

Hi Doug. When was Capital Casino open for Poker? I used to leave around Florin Mall area.

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

They are open 24/7, call ahead to get your name on the list.

[@richardlollie8746]

@@dougmccuskerpoker I mean which year they opened?

[@richardlollie8746]

@@dougmccuskerpoker Keep up with the Awesome Vlog ;)

[@matt_cah]

Question for you Doug. What's your go to 3 bet squeeze sizing with overpairs? Do you ever size down? In the first hand, you went 85 into a bet of 25 with one caller . I think your sizing is great here, which started this train of thought. Lately with aces and kings specifically, I think I've been sizing too large. Typically, I'm going around 3x the last bet plus 1-1.5x for all the limpers/other betters, depending on position and player reads of course. I am size down sometimes, but not enough is the feeling I have. What are you thoughts on overpair squeeze sizing?

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

3x plus dead money is a good rule of thumb. If players are sticky, I go larger. If they are more passive and I want action, I may go a little smaller. I do like larger sizing OOP, smaller sizing IP. My size with 78s is the same size as AA, important to remain balanced.

[@NicholasStein]

I see what you are saying Matt. Aces are a great hand and if you get a family pot you love it. Jonathon Little had a good lesson on this in his post entitled "3 MISTAKES To AVOID With Pocket ACES". I recommend it.

[@jaykoni]

Hi. I'm the guy that had the AA in the first hand posted. When Doug 3-bet, I initially ranged him modestly wide, say 99+, AJs+, AQ+ and maybe a little air. The reason is that when I first raised, I saw him engage, meaning he was going to get involved. My neighbor on my right saw it too. He seemed a bit taken aback when I 4-bet. That 4-bet, however, was sized primarily to put the hitchhiker allin (who I knew to be loose and sticky). When the action returned to him, I could tell he was running numbers and was definitely not messing around. That narrowed his range substantially! I was pretty sure he had a big pair, probably JJ-QQ and (maybe) AKs, as (at the time) I felt he would have called much faster, or 5-bet with KK+. So, if a J, or Q flopped, I was planning on checking behind. Truthfully though, if the Q came, it was 90% that I would have paid it off on the turn, or river.

[@jaykoni]

Oh yea and lol to folding for the $3 :)

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

😀

[@beachfraser3747]

Hi Bud, hope youre good, (Haitus hernia) under the diaphram, innoperable, oh well, life goes on, hope youre well, best of luck and run good mate!! regards Fraser from the UK

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Inoperable? Is this your new normal? Or will it get better on its own with rest?

[@beachfraser3747]

@@dougmccuskerpoker I dont think it repairs itself, thats the problem, they dont like operating at all unless it becomes life threatning, its near to all the major organs, anyway, i have to have continous checkups etc, it really is so annoying and time consuming, anyway ive kinda got used to the aches and pains, guess im just going to have to wait and see what happens, greetings and a cuddle for Zeus¬!!

[@NicholasStein]

I do not see how the math worked out in the first black QQ hand. 93 to win 453+93 is slightly better than 6:1 on a 2 outer. Your implied odds may be higher. If you are confident in your read that he has AA, just fold. I am at 3:57 when I wrote this, so I do not know the outcome, but I feel like you are going to get stacked. Please tell my why I am wrong. It was nice to see the reality of 3 hands in 9 hours. This vlog is a classic lesson on how to play when you are card dead. I loved it.

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Flopping a set is roughly 8 to 1, if I hit I will get the other 300 in. So I feel I’m playing for the current odds plus an additional 300 in applied odds. It was close but I feel it is +ev to call pre and fold to any bet without a Q on board.

[@NicholasStein]

@@dougmccuskerpoker I learned something from you today. I did not know the odds of a set mine on the flop. I thought it was more like 12 to 15:1. Good to know.

[@markhellie6837]

Another great vlog. It's nice to win when you are card dead.

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Grinding is not glamorous, both days were a grind.

[@justinnscanlon]

Glad to see you!

[@StellaLifeTV]

Does Capital Casino play better than Stoney's and Thunder Valley?

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

The 1-3 games are fantastic and they allow me to vlog. Stones and Thunder don’t allow vlogging

[@JohnSmith-ml2zr]

Mr. Doug glad to see you win but I do understand the frustration of being cars dead and running bad. I flopped a Jack high spade flush bet 45 and I get raised to 90 with the A and k on the board I shoved all in for 800 and the guy calls me and rolls over queen 5 of spades nothing I could do just a cooler. I ran so bad the last 3 sessions just getting called when I have the best hands and they draw out on me has me really down right now spiritually and lost a good bit to. I understand it’s just the way poker is sometimes but it’s very frustrating at times. Good running to you Mr. Doug.

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Thanks for sharing, every poker player goes through periods like this. Just try to limit your losses and play solid. Eventually the cards will turn in your favor.

[@michaelmclaughlin1958]

Good steady play. Good example of disciplined play. Hard to show the frustration of folding hand after hand and that would make a boring vlog. 9 hours for $290 is much better than zero. Ironic that black QQ was your early loser and ultimate winner. Thanks again wish I could make this meet up but I have a friend coming to visit this week. Looking forward to the next lesson.

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Thanks Mike, not all sessions are glamorous, this was a typical grind with very few playable hands. Sorry you can’t make the MUG, hope to meet you another day.

[@michaelmclaughlin1958]

@@dougmccuskerpoker headed to Vegas in mid May. Maybe I can add a trip to Sacramento for a couple of days

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

@@michaelmclaughlin1958 let me know when you’re coming!

[@HuggiePoker]

Man, QQ vs. AA? You've gotta be kidding me with all these premium pairs being dominated! Terrible luck on the JJ vs. 77 hand as well, ugh. The backdoor flush w/ J8 was very well deserved after suffering through that previous hand, granted it's not against the same opponent. And then the last hand of the session! :chef's kiss: Congrats on reaching 6k subs, Doug!

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Thanks so much, very happy with the 6k mark, 7k here we come. The last 2 weeks I’ve been running into AA a lot. Getting away from QQ on that first hand was a big moral boost. JJ v 77, stuff like that happens, oh well. I know I get lucky now and then too.

[@HuggiePoker]

@@dougmccuskerpoker Yeah, I'm so glad the QQ fold gave you a morale boost, shame as it is to run into that spot. I've got one coming up in my next video where I get away from AA as well, very proud of it too. I know that feeling!

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

@@HuggiePoker a penny saved is a penny earned.

[@emmanuelpineda1279]

Great content Doug been following you before you got sick and glad to see you do better. But I have a question for you, for someone who is used to house games and wanting to hit the poker room what can you recommend. I’ve played online about 2yrs and house games for a year.

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Not too much difference between home game and casino, except the rake! Action is a little faster at casino, they try to get as many hands as possible. More drop. Make sure you are familiar with the casino rules, they may be very different from a friendly home game.

[@johnferreira7498]

Doug the one thing me and you have in common "it's all about tells" I study them heavily

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Old school poker, so much free information that people refuse to see.

[@tomblount5635]

Enjoy your vlogs

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Thanks Tom!

[@leehjones]

The queens-full flop. Checking back the flop is fine because you block everything. When the turn comes, you gotta put in a raise. There's now a diamond draw and a (unlikely) 43 straight draw. If he's betting those, he won't pay off unless he gets there, so you need to collect now. Also, if he has a 5 (which it seems he did) there are a lot of cards that can scare him into not paying off big on the river (e.g. if the third diamond comes in) but he's going to be happy to put in stacks on the turn. You say you think he's strong. Then get the money in now. Stop being Trappy McTrapster when you have the nuts and somebody is showing strength.

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

You’re right, need to raise the turn to get the money in.

[@leehjones]

First hand Doug, we've been over this. You had a raise to $25 and a call, now you with QQ in the BB. The minimum 3bet should be to $125, and in that room, anything south of $150 would be fine. Look, this is simple math: 4x the previous raise when you're OP, plus one more for every cold caller. You're likely to get a caller anyway, and you're printing Sklansky$ and setting up a turn shove on favorable runouts. Just stop, do the math, and then put in your 3bet. ❤

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

He was at the far end of the table and I thought it was a raise to 20, but my sizing is probably to small anyways. I need to take more time with my raises. Thanks for the feedback.

[@leehjones]

15:02 Really? Why the hero call? I mean... look, you 3bet preflop. He check/calls the flop because that's what he's going to do with any value hand. Now you check back the turn. You're not pot-controlling, you're what I like to call "giving up." It's okay to give up, Doug. You used that "momentum" word again, and I think that's exactly what happened here. You fell into the trap of thinking you were invincible, so surely ace-high-no-kicker is good against a nice solid value-y river bet. Just let those go.

[@davidkrafsig195]

Morning Doug

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Good morning

[@marktombazian6490]

Relaxed is always the nuts. Fake relaxed is the bluff. Stop over thinking 🤔

[@leehjones]

12:08 "I'm going to raise to $30 and take it down." Seriously? After all those hours at the CC? You've got a hand that rates to be well ahead of all those limping ranges. You're in the nut-worst position at the table. And they love calling. Make it $45, Doug. Or $50. Is that balanced? No. Can you do it with bluffs? No. Do you need to be balanced? No. All you're doing with that $30 raise is bloating a pot that you're going to play multi-way out of position. IMO it would be better to just check than make it $30. If you're going to raise, make it a number that has legit fold equity, and you know as well as I do that $30 doesn't really have fold equity. Commit to your raises, my friend.

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

30 is small, you make a good point in getting more fold equity out of position.

[@marktombazian6490]

Just calling w/JJ over the board? Slam all in. Maybe he calls but maybe not. I don't like calling. Either raise the moon or dump it. Cling is weakness.

[@markg6796]

Setting his own price with 77

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

He was running a multi street bluff and got there, if he was setting his own price he should check back the turn.

[@markg6796]

@@dougmccuskerpoker I don’t think it was a bluff. I think he thought he was ahead. You under represented your hand

[@jackdueceycomicstape3747]

Im tired of being around ppl using the term omc. is this derogatory??? I kno youre gonna show them at the hustler! Way to play your game! One day those nay sayers will be omcs! Safe travels

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Everyone profiles their opponents, I’m sure some people misjudge my game.

[@MrRigamortis86]

@@dougmccuskerpoker absolutely you get in there and mix it up. and look at ppl like dan herrington. Ppl who thought they have him pegged can talk about it in the unemployment line. Tight aggressive play and taking down those ppl who try to get cute with their suited connector hands and end up running into monsters once the board pairs. Chop em up, throw them on the grill and give zeusy boy a well deserved treat. The implied odds are not in their favor. Great post!

[@FishPoker]

I'd fold 3 bucks to u man 😅

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Lol

[@Marree88]

Doug I think its best you sit at the table. Order 20 drinks and just wait aces and push all in before flop. And even if u think someone else has aces its best to fold becouse u never pay split :) Honesty idiotic plays so easy to push players like you around and its easy to fold aj aq and ak vs you becouse u play litteraly 5 hands in total, AK, AA,KK,QQ,JJ and even AK is a fold sometimes for you. Terrible

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Making an assumption of my play based on a few hands would be a mistake.

[@stevescontriano860]

How boring. There’s nothing worse than playing poker with a cold Cards. Except watching somebody else play poker.

[@moemessy6523]

Too much talking

[@HuggiePoker]

Doug does a great job of breaking down his thought process, his talking's the best part of the video.

[@dougmccuskerpoker]

Appreciate the feedback