POTD #31 Monte Carlo Monday: Did I Punt or did Alex Theologis Punt?

Acropolis, Theologis. My laziest header image yet.

Today we’re debuting a new feature that I don’t have a name for yet. I’m accepting suggestions in the replies. The concept of this feature is, we will review hands that I felt my opponent punted, and then we will determine if my knee-jerk judgement of their play was right or wrong.

It used to be that playing on stream was a treat. I remember posting on Facebook (it was a long time ago) so all my friends and family could watch me play poker on stream. Now, as streaming has become a lot more common, I assume largely because it’s become cheaper and more technically feasible, it’s no longer a treat. The table is too big and reaching across the table hurts your back, you can’t wear headphones, the lights are often very hot and bright, and sometimes they take away your phone. It’s a fun arena for a high stakes final table, but on day one of a tourney it all feels a bit much.

Another downside is, you’re always being watched and judged. I remember on my first Triton stream I was wearing a comfortable Theory sweater, someone in the chat said “Why is Greenwood wearing pyjamas?” That sweater is now retired and I wear it exclusively at home– it is a pyjama top now. Eating, drinking, table banter; god forbid you pick your nose or spit, because someone is always watching and judging.

There’s a lot of talk about how current High Roller players don’t show emotion; in today’s hand I had a mini tantrum that you can watch for yourself. I am not proud of it, but I think it captures something human about me and the experience of playing these things. I would argue, and will in a later POTD, that my exasperated eye roll and mouthing “wow” is more human than certain famous TV pros doing the same shtick for decades. I’d also argue that most audiences don’t actually want “human” moments; they just want to see famous people they recognize. But all that will have to wait for another time. On to the hand.

2024 Triton Monte Carlo Event #6 $100k NLHE
Level 9: 5k/10k/10k (SB/BB/BBA) Staring Stack 200k

It folds to Alex Theologis in the SB who completes, I raise to 35k in the BB with K♣️Q♣️, he calls.

Flop (80k): K♦️9♥️5♣️ He checks, I bet 40k, he calls
Turn (160k): K♥️ He checks, I bet 95k, he calls
River (350k): T♦️ He checks, I bet 177k, he goes all-in for 187k, total, I call. I lose to Q♠️J♥️