That Doesn't Happen Too Often

The new buy-in structure at Stars has thus far made it very difficult for me to get 24 decent tables open outside of full blown weekend primetime (Friday/Saturday evening and night). That said, it seems like of the tables I do sit at there are now more with 3+ fish instead of one or two. It also seems like there are more soft 1/2 and 2/4 tables. I do wish they had simply copied FTP's model, but maybe cutting tables a bit and playing a greater portion of my volume at midstakes wouldn't be so bad. I'll have to see how things play out in the next few months.

Anyway, two days ago I had something happen at a newly formed 50bb 200NL that I'm not certain I've ever seen before. That being: I flopped the nut straight in back to back hands at the table, stacking (for only 50bbs unfortunately, damn you Stars!) a fish each time. I think I've probably flopped the nuts in back to back hands before, but in those cases I'm certain it was top set. The HHs are below for kicks.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $2.00 BB (5 handed)
MP ($230.50)
Hero (Button) ($100)
SB ($106.15)
BB ($100)
UTG ($60)

Preflop: Hero is Button with 6, 5
1 fold, MP bets $4, Hero calls $4, SB calls $3, 1 fold

Flop: ($14) 4, 7, 3 (3 players)
SB checks, MP bets $12, Hero raises to $41, 1 fold, MP calls $29

Turn: ($96) Q (2 players)
MP checks, Hero bets $55 (All-In), MP calls $55

River: ($206) 10 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $206 | Rake: $2

Results:
Hero had 6, 5 (flush, Queen high).
MP had A, 4 (one pair, fours).
Outcome: Hero won $204

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $2.00 BB (5 handed)
Hero (UTG) ($204)
MP ($81.90)
Button ($102.15)
SB ($100)
BB ($60)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with Q, J
Hero bets $8, 1 fold, Button calls $8, 2 folds

Flop: ($21) 10, 8, 9 (2 players)
Hero bets $14, Button raises to $36, Hero raises to $113, Button calls $58.15 (All-In)

Turn: ($209.30) 5 (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($209.30) 7 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $209.30 | Rake: $2

Results:
Button had 7, 7 (three of a kind, sevens).
Hero had Q, J (flush, Queen high).
Outcome: Hero won $207.30

Extending the theme of extreme rarities, yesterday the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL ended up going up 2-1 in their playoff series against the Brandon Wheat Kings. They won despite allowing a NATURAL SHORT HANDED HAT TRICK against in the second period. I'm pretty certain a natural short handed hat trick in hockey is far less likely to occur than almost anything else in professional sports (far more rare than say a perfect game in baseball). Wow.