Poker Update

Last night was a fun game. But I started off badly and it just kept getting worse. On my left was Jonathan. Jonathan (I think) and I were the best players at the table. And every time I had a hand, he had one also. His always seemed to connect and mine always seemed to miss.

I can’t count how many hands I had like 8-5 that I folded pre-flop and then the flop is 8-5, turn is 5. I fold J-7, flop is J-J-x. You expect that to happen once in a while but it was ridiculous. I’d have two high cards and nothing would hit. I’d have a medium pair and three overcards would come up on the flop. It was driving me nuts!

Big hand: I had A-10, he called my big raise. Flop was A-10-J. Sucked him all in by the turn. He had Q-J. He said he was out. As I pointed out his straight draw, the K came up on the river giving him his straight. Sigh. I went and rebought to catcalls.

Two hands later. I had Ax-10c. Flop is 3 low clubs. I check, he bets. I call. The turn is another club giving me my flush. He bets heavy. He must have a higher club than a 10. I know he does. And yet I call. His Kc takes it. I went and rebought to the sounds of laughter. “You’re out again!?” “Does your wife know you’re here!?” etc…

But finally things start turning. It’s not so much that I get lucky as that I fail to get unlucky. I work my way back. I double up through Jonathan, my K-10 hits for two pair, beating his two pair of Ks and 6s.

Let’s move forward to the end game. My sobriety advantage is kicking in. I don’t drink much when I play and I had a headache driving out. We’re down to four people and the top three finish in the money. I look down at 7-7. I raise the 2000 blind to 5000. Jonathan goes all in. Then Joe does also. Joe has me covered, I have Jonathan covered. It only costs me 6000 to call. I think my 7s are good and I’m getting roughly 5:1 odds. But I want to finish in the money. If I stay out and Joe loses he will be very short-stacked and if Jonathan loses he’s out. I announce it, “I have the best hand but I’m going to fold to see someone knocked out.” Joe’s A-K holds up and he collects a huge pot by knocking out Jonathan. Yes, my 7s would have won it but I am fine with a guaranteed third place finish.

But Joe now has the monster stack, Mel and I are battling for second. It looks like it won’t be me as I whittled down to a lousy 1500 at 1000-2000 blind levels. I can’t cover the blinds but I manage to double up. And again. And again. And again! 10 minutes later and Holy cow, I’m in it to win it! Mel gets knocked out and I’m in second.

I enter heads up with ~30% of the chips. Both of us are playing loose and aggressive. I almost knock him out, he almost knocks me out. I’d like to say the other players were gathered around to watch the drama but in fact they were putting on jackets and going home.

I go all in with K-6, he calls me with K-8. Looks bad. I do not get my 6 but the board brings a 9-10-J-Q, so we split the pot with King high straights. A few hands later I get 10-10 and instantly go all in. He instantly calls with A-x. The first card is an Ace and I go down in second place.

Despite a terrible play calling the flush, and an arguable fold with the 7s, I somehow make up for buying in twice and make second place. A good night. (Also very fun with a good crowd!)

Tonight: $15
Running Total: $595