2006/06/25 - Number 8 - Where Have I been???

OK I have been VERY BUSY playing reading learning experimenting POKER.

Yes, although all books say keep records over the last two months my time has been spent reading books, discussing strategies with fellow players, plying my trade at the $10/$20 limit game at my local casino.

Do I have a running total? No. Am I up? Well all players say they are and if you wish to believe me or not I am. I am a winner at casino 4 times out of 6 avg win $300. I have cashed a couple of times at our weekly Sat games. I am now also playing online at a couple of sites but mainly Pokeroom and now Titan (for reasons mentioned below)

The most important thing to happen Pokerwise was a tournament at our casino I entered.

There were 2 "qualifiers" costing $125 ($110 to final pool) for 80 people each. Top 20% (16 from each qual) made the final where a further 48 could buy in for $550 ($500 to pool)

I made top 16 and was raring to go for the $40,000 prizepool.

Which was today.

So what happened???

Well as luck would have it Zlonk Poker put on a freeroll at Titan Poker for us bloggers starting at 9am my time. 300 places, top 15 paid from a prizepool of $150.

I had to be at cas by 12 to register my attendance for the final but thought I could warm up with a little online action and try some stuff....

To my surprise I played really well, got somewhat lucky a couple of times (as any person who finishes high would have to admit) and ended up 2nd for a US$30 cash.

It finished heads up between me and IgotBIGnuts. I had a HUGE chip lead and dont think it would be disrespectful to say I really feel I could have won except for the fact we were still heads up and it was nearly 12!!!

I had to just go all in on everything as i had to rush to the tourney and in the end his K6 hit a K to my A3 which only hit a 3 and he won.

Still I was VERY pleased with my play and thought it boded well for the final.

FAST FORWARD 30 mins, I am sitting at the tourney at casino having not played a hand. I look down to see QQ. UTG raises to $150 (we had $3000 starting and blinds were $25/$50 - no limit). Folded to me in mid position and I raise to $300.

Two more folds and an arrogant guy who I have seen play limit at the casino goes all in over the top. Folded to me and I have a decision to make. Now before I tell you what I did let me set some things up. I had said a few things pre game to entice action - including one quote "I am playing so scared I would prob fold AA to an all in early on" He had said at the time "You may as well go home now if you aren't gonna play that" or words to that effect.

Now back to decision time. I have been practising reading people alot and have gotten pretty good. Although I dont particularly believe in ESP or whatever I have found that 99% of the time my first gut instinct is correct. My thoughts are as follows - I know he doesnt have AA (how? I just decided I KNEW that) The best and only think he could have is KK or AK. So there is only ONE POSSIBLE HAND he could have that is up on me as I would def call with QQ if someone showed they had AK preflop.

Anyway I think for a while. I recall our conversation. I think to myself that my plan was to not overcommit early but I have $300 in, PLUS QQ!!! My next thought is that if I was confident I wouldve called straight away, so I reason my instincts are to fold.... BUT, when taking all things into consideration including the conversation 3 mins earlier what are the odds???. Can I fold QQ here???? I think for a while and think if he has KK, then he has me covered, but anything else I win. I decide if i walked into KK now it wasnt going to be my day anyway, and if he has anything else I will likely double up to $6000 and be able to play tight and steal when possible and cruise to at least top 20 then have a chance from there...

I call - he flips the cowboys. There is a glimmer of hope as the spades pile up (I have Qs) but then I realise he has Ks!!! I end up praying for a Q on the river.....

But alas - no such luck.

I am SO disappointed at going out so early - NOT FIRST mind you, prob 3rd I think - The ignominy of last was collected on the first hand where pocket 10 (which I WOULD have folded) also lost to KK!

So if ANYONE, EVER reads this, please leave a comment and either educate me as to the logical reason I should have folded, OR make me feel better by convincing me I made the right play.

Thanks again to Matt at Poker Savvy and Zlonk Poker Forums.

Also if you wanna read a quality poker blog instead of my drivel, check out :

Gene's Blog at http://meangenepoker.blogspot.com/
Grubby at http://www.pokergrub.com/ and
Double As at http://doubleas.blogspot.com/