Tom Dwan Tom Dwan

a long year in recap, and isildur part 1

Posted by Tom Dwan | Filed under Poker

I played a ton of poker in 2009, and unfortunately the results weren’t too great, mainly because of the last few months. I was worried at the start of 09 that there wouldn’t be enough highstakes games going (that was one of the reasons i offered 3-1 for 50k hands etc), but that proved to be a non-issue, as there was tons of action throughout the year. At the start of the year there were a bunch of 500/1k headsup plo games, and a decent amount of 500/1k ha games. Then as the wsop approached, some of the highest stakes games to ever run went off in bellagio. These games happened for about 2 months, and it was pretty crazy. Initially a lot of players took shots when the game was around 5001k, and 1k2k plo. However the game kept getting bigger and bigger, and eventually we were playing 3k6k plo and 10k20k limit triple draw most days of the week. That is an absurdly huge game obviously, and once it ended I assumed that swings like the ones which happened over the summer wouldn’t happen again for quite a while. However i was dead wrong. There was a new player to the online scene, and isildur has caused quite a stir. I didnt know this at the time, but he started off down about a million, before proceeding to win a huge sum of money from me. He is definitely a gambler, and gives a lot of action. This means that he can have huge wins and huge losses, unfortunately for me i helped him with his wins, while i recently got to witness huge losses he had to brian hastings. I have a feeling he’ll be back, although it will be tough to match the action we all saw at the end of 09. Isildur won about 7 million straight, and then lost about 7 million straight. I have a decent idea what huge swings feel like, but isildur’s swings were extra crazy. I think initially a lot of people overestimated his ability, however he definitely learned very fast, and caught up to those expectations. He’s someone i’d expect to see around the highstakes games very regularly in the next few years. Also i think its likely that isil’s amazing run will create more highstakes action as people look to replicate what he did. Hopefully I’m right about that, and next time maybe i’ll even end up profiting from it.

I realize it took me a really long time to write this 2nd blog, however my 3rd one will come much sooner. To give myself some motivation I’ve decided that for the rest of this year I’ll donate 10k to haiti or some similar cause any month that i don’t write at least 3.

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Permalink | February 8th, 2010 Play Online Poker at Full Tilt Poker

39 Responses to “a long year in recap, and isildur part 1”

  1. David Bakunowicz Says:
    February 8th, 2010 at 9:50 pm

    Thanks for the post Tom. It’s such an interesting phenomenon to observe players like Isildur come and go as he did.

    In a way I don’t think the money is important, it’s his mentality. Whilst he lost a massive amount of money, he has clearly demonstrated that he can handle the pressure of playing at uber high stakes.

    It reminds me of Donald trump when he was in the red for billions. The actually monetary loss was not as significant as his ability to “win it back” so to speak- as I have heard Patrik confidently mention in reference to Isildurs poker skills.

    Indeed, these are exciting times. I hope you continue to provide action, run well- and the donation to Haiti sounds like a winner.

    Dave

  2. Jackie Keyes Says:
    February 8th, 2010 at 10:47 pm

    I imagine you are going to be in Vegas in June for some of the games going on….
    It would definately be a dream of mine to meet you when we are there. We are going down to play in the Women’s wsop. You’re my absolute favourite pro player. And I hear ya like blondes! ;)
    hahaha jk jk. Anyways you’re pretty much amazing. ;)

    I think we’d get along amazingly!!! ;)
    Good luck in all your upcoming games! :) :):)

  3. jonjuandaxtenmillion Says:
    February 9th, 2010 at 12:56 am

    yo tom! ive followed u from ur first appearance on high stakes poker with eli elezra, ziigmund, benyamine, etc…when i first saw you play, i noticed our styles are very similar. i still dream of playin at the levels u and ziigmund play at as im only 23. if u are ever looking to back someone who has a good feel for the game. holler at ya boy.

  4. Franklin Chai Says:
    February 9th, 2010 at 3:56 am

    Hey durrrr,
    I’m a huge fan and it was insane watching the nosebleed action isildur generated on FT and me and my poker buddy were rooting for you. Don’t think anything in the near future could top isildur’s crazy run except maybe you vs Phil Galfond at 500-1K NLHE and PLO or Hellmuth manning up and taking the durrrr challenge and getting crushed.

    When are you going to make a commercial with Full Tilt? Really looking forward to that.

    Anyways, see ya. Keep dominating poker online and live.

  5. Stephane Says:
    February 9th, 2010 at 6:29 am

    Hi Tom,
    thanks for this mesage , I was expecting a comment on what happened in Q4 2009 for quite some time now .
    got 1 question , would be pleased if you would find time to reply :
    1. What do you thing of the cheating allegations in the Hastings / Isildur cash game sessions ?
    Btw , saw the latest million dollar cash game on pokertube .. great work . I still wonder how could play on after the big downswings you had at the beginning of the session , especialy that KK vs AA against Antonius .. congrats, really
    Stephane

  6. Andy Says:
    February 9th, 2010 at 7:28 am

    Hey Tom, Just want to say your the man. Thanks for doing this blog.

  7. Seb Says:
    February 9th, 2010 at 9:44 am

    Hey. What about donating money to Haiti anyways?

  8. ballsdeep Says:
    February 9th, 2010 at 10:19 am

    oh hai der Tim Dwan,

    Tim can you stop rolling your eyes when involved in a pot, it makes me convulse.

  9. AppleButter Says:
    February 9th, 2010 at 11:19 am

    Tom, I’ve been trying to learn more about poker. Besides reading books, watching, and playing is there anything else you would suggest to help my progress?

    I was starting to go to different sites to try and learn. Did you know there was someone at a website called twoplustwo that has your same screen name?

    That’s really weird that there is more than one peson that thought of a funny SN like durrr

  10. Enviuz Says:
    February 9th, 2010 at 2:10 pm

    Howdy Durrrr,

    Thanks for updating your blog. You have a ton of fans and we all look forward to hearing your thoughts and opinions. There is no doubt your epic match with Isil was one for the ages, hopefully there will be a round two soon.

    GL

  11. crazy4durrrr Says:
    February 9th, 2010 at 5:50 pm

    Hi durrrr! I’m a poker writer and a huuuuuge fan. You have no idea how happy I am to get some insights directly from you and I also think you are soooooo cute. *blushing now*

  12. Anna B. Says:
    February 9th, 2010 at 6:37 pm

    Hi Tom! Thanks for your blog, nice. You have fans even in Ukraine! Good luck!!! ;)

  13. Webbaer Says:
    February 9th, 2010 at 8:03 pm

    Hi Durrrr, thank you for the great action you are giving the rail. I still enjoy the fkn hand when you bluffed Barry’s aces and Pete Eastgate’s trips out of the hand. Good work. LOL
    Your “analysis” of the hand was great too. LOL

    regards
    WB

  14. Aussienoob Says:
    February 9th, 2010 at 8:52 pm

    Sup durr you ever need a place to stay when your in aus i can hook you up.

  15. nuklear Says:
    February 9th, 2010 at 10:58 pm

    Tom, please blog more about the live games in your next posts.

  16. Rob kelly Says:
    February 9th, 2010 at 11:45 pm

    hey tom. i like to watch you play on poker after dark, the million dollar cash game, hsp and even watching you play online is fun. i like to play poker myself. your pretty sick. hope to see you playing as high as you do for a long time to come. good luck.

  17. SoloUpOkay Says:
    February 10th, 2010 at 4:04 am

    It brought me much happiness to watch durrrr lose to isildur1. i guess its true… if its not me succeeding, then its nice to watch someone else fail.

    as to durrrr, really cool to donate 25k for those of need during xmas. and uber cool to donate 10k to haiti + other causes.

    happy chinese new year, and best of luck. pz

  18. brian Says:
    February 10th, 2010 at 5:02 am

    Hi,

    There are a lot of fans of you in Hungary – for example me – and I would like to translate ypur blog for my site, onlinepokerhu.com. I hope you give me your permission. Thanks.

  19. Daniel Says:
    February 11th, 2010 at 12:34 pm

    Hi Tom,
    Can I have some money?
    Thanks. Bye.

  20. Steve Says:
    February 12th, 2010 at 12:50 am

    So the 10k for the little children in Haiti relies on you being able to hop on your labtop probably on a private jet and be able to type up a few paragraphs?? What a shmuck you are.. Just donate 50k and stfu

  21. Ivan Mihov Says:
    February 12th, 2010 at 1:34 pm

    Keep going, Tom. I wish you luck, I’m not sure that you read this comments, but luck!

  22. Yimdim Says:
    February 12th, 2010 at 4:19 pm

    Tom,

    Instead of donating to Haiti or something of that nature, and to make it more painful for missing your personal goal, how about you donate an equal amount to a charity, and a railfish?

  23. jason heyward Says:
    February 13th, 2010 at 6:51 pm

    Your blogs are always honest and its interesting to hear how a high stakes gamblers mind works.

  24. Stephen Says:
    February 16th, 2010 at 6:37 am

    Hi Tom. It is great to see you blogging. As a fan of the game, you are a great ambassador and I look forward to watching you in the future.

  25. Yakskywalker Says:
    February 17th, 2010 at 1:02 pm

    Please discuss last nights action with Isildur1 and talk about how he tried to juice you for more money by having you switch to NL holdem AFTER he took you for 250,000 +

  26. TommyD Says:
    February 18th, 2010 at 2:58 pm

    I’m sure you didn’t mean it the way you said it, but given how much you win and lose per hand, 10k for Haiti etc is really almost insulting. Plus the fact that those in need must “hope” you don’t write 3 entries per month to get the pocket change is even worse. Maybe you can give them a significant contribution (which still isn’t that much for you) or something as an apology for this unintended slight.

    That said – I’m sure you didn’t mean it that way. You seem like a good guy. And the most exciting poker player to watch in ages. So I wish you a lot of continued luck, unless you are playing against me!

  27. durrrrules Says:
    February 21st, 2010 at 12:14 am

    Hello Tom! I am your biggest fan and I love watching you play you are the reason I play poker! I look forward to seeing you on the new episode of high stakes poker on sunday and I loved your response to the 10 words or less to describe phil hellmuth last week that was hilarious! You are THE best poker player in the world good luck to you in 2010!

  28. Dale Says:
    February 21st, 2010 at 7:03 pm

    “I’ll donate 10k to haiti or some similar cause any month that i don’t write at least 3″

    Very noble of you!

  29. Hannibal Says:
    March 12th, 2010 at 9:28 pm

    Hey was up Tom, Im a big fan of you and Patrik and I have been following your online cash games and live cash games. Im very impressed and in some way admire how hard of a worker you are, aswell as a humble person. I really do hope the best for you and hope you have great successes to come in the future. Im already starting out online and I hope I can become like you or Patrik once in my life, if not, atleast make a living from poker. Well, I hope the best for you and take care. Well about Isildur1, I like him not because his style but is sort of like a tale that will stay with us poker players in the future. He is extremely tough through what I’ve seen, and constantly puts fear in the eyes of the players he plays. But I wanted to ask you two questions, Has playing him ever given you any type of fear or any other player? And, Who do you think Isildur1 is? like your speculation. Well thanks Tom and good luck

  30. Josh Hannick Says:
    March 30th, 2010 at 11:44 am

    Hey whatsup Tom, I follow alot of your game but did not know that you had a blog on fulltilts page. I think thats cool that you sit down and write little something bout yourself. I think your the most amazing and by far most fun and unpredictable cash game players out there.
    Im just wondering if you ever do read these blogs-I do play live for a living just a $1-$2 NL or a $5-$5 (nothing to you I know) game almost daily but it pays the bills. I was thinking of making not the switch to online-ive tried it for real before to make it online but just cant getit. Im a completly consistent winner live but not online. Is there ANY tips or info you could give me on what my problem could be online? I just dont understand how i can go from such a consistent winner live to such a consistent loser online its amazing the difference.
    Thank you for your time if you happen to take the time to answer anything, or shoot me a quick email or nehting that would be great. I just dont wana take the jump again without gettin some real insight to the online game until i talk to someone that is at a high level of their thinkin of the game.
    Thanx man.. doubt you’ll write back but awsome blog man.. thanx for keepin us little people going. cya at the tables live someday man//

  31. Victor Says:
    April 18th, 2010 at 2:31 pm

    So wait… then writing in your blog is an incentive not to be charitable?… you are heartless, Tom. lol.

  32. machine Says:
    April 27th, 2010 at 11:20 am

    Alright tom…Could u please put some big hands that happen in bobby’s room with players involved etc. Why dont they play some of these 3/6 k on tv? Im goin to vegas this summer for the wsop, i will flip a coin for $100 against u if i see ya, cause its the only way id be able to take money off u! ha

  33. pokeradmin Says:
    July 5th, 2010 at 8:04 pm

    Always love to read the blogs off the professional gamblers. Now that i found your blog i have a new saved bookmark and a new favorite blog :)

  34. Mind Movies Says:
    July 23rd, 2010 at 2:46 am

    The Law of attraction is appealing to us because it makes us feel like we can control everything.Truth is,we can’t.

  35. Bandokan Says:
    August 1st, 2010 at 4:29 pm

    Hey Tom

    I was just wondering: what will all you millionaires do once the dollar gets crushed and US economy collapses? I would sure love to see your face when that happens. GL at the tables though

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