High On Poker

Last night, I decided to play in one, and only one, tournament. I had made dinner for wifey Kim and I (spinach tortellini with sausage), and after chowing down and hanging out for a while, it was clear that wifey Kim was going to fall asleep, so I did what I usually do and pulled out the laptop.

I perused the options on PokerStars, where the majority of my ~$500 bankroll resides, and decided upon a tournament with a reasonable field, decent buy-in and potential for fun. It was a PLO (High only), six-person tournament, $20+2, with rebuys and an add-on. With $500, it was actually too high of a buy-in due to the rebuys, but I decided to play it a particular way because I was intrigued by the relatively small tournament and dead money. We were probably 40 minutes into the tournament, with the rebuy period and late registrations ending in about 20 minutes, so I hopped onto a table with a single buy-in, lost that within the time to rebuy, rebought once, won some pots to bring me from 1500 to 2600, and then took the add-on. My total entry was $62 (including fees), and I was still somewhere in the middle of the pack.

I was trying to figure out if my strategy made sense, and I think overall, it does. It would’ve made even more sense if I didn’t have to rebuy, but it still worked out well.

The plan was simply to join late enough that I would not have to play much of the rebuy period. I could get in on one or two buy-ins, wait for it to turn into a freezeout, buy the add-on, and then get down to business. When I checked the tournament lobby before registering, I noted that there were around 78 runners, with only 58 or so left. Obviously, some players decided not to rebuy, so there was a certain amount of dead money in the pot already. Technically, since the chips were redistributed, it wasn’t actual “dead money” as much as inherited money, but I was just focused on the amount of body bags I would need if I were to be successful. I budget three buy-ins, and then bought in with only one in case I needed to rebuy. If I had to rebuy again, I’d likely just fold, because I wanted to save the last buy-in for the add-on.

I kept a few hands from the tournament, so I figured we can have some fun and do a You Decide or two. Let’s have at it. And remember, I choose these hands because I think there may be room for improvement, so feel free to critique, but try not to hit me in the face. I bruise very easily.

You Decide #76

I lost my first stack to a suckout, which happens rather often in PLO. I didn’t think much of it, though, and got right back in the action. Shortly after the rebuy period ended, I was at 4,650, with the 2,000 add-on included. I was in the BB when I was dealt K 4 T K. Blinds were 75/150.

At the six-handed table, all but one player (UTG+1, aka MP) called. The pot was 750 when we saw a flop of 3 T 6, giving me a draw to the 2nd nut flush. I also had an overpair and top pair, second kicker, but I didn’t think that’d be enough in this crowd.

I decided to bet out 600, mostly because this flop could have very easily missed everyone. In hindsight, this may have been a mistake. On one hand, I could win the pot outright without much if everyone missed. On the other hand, I open myself to a pot-sized re-raise, whereas before I was only exposed to a pot-sized bet from a player who presumably is drawing, given the board. As it were, UTG (4595) and the Button (8155) called.

The turn was 9. With a pot of 2550, I checked. Once again, this may have been a mistake. I just cannot figure it out, now that it is the light of day. I don’t recall my thinking on this play as much as I recall my thinking in the last play. I was likely setting a trap, but I remember feeling concerned that someone was playing the AX.

UTG bet 1,200. He and I had similar stacks. When the Button folded, I took my time and remembered that ugly feeling, the Awfukkit Play. The Awfukkit Play is the play you make when you’ve had enough and just say, “Aw, fuck it. I call!” But that’s not what I did. I did the awfukkit raise. The awfukkit raise all-in to be exact.

And herein lies my dilemma. I think this was the wrong play, in hindsight. By raising all-in, I am only going to get called by a super strong hand. The all-in raise was for 3,900, and my opponent probably had 3,800 left, so if he had a weak hand, then he’d obviously fold. I was essentially making that bet, where the only time you’ll get called is if you already lost. Not good.

And yet, guess what happened? He called and showed 6 A T 3, for two-pair, 10s and 6s. How embarrassing!! I, naturally, took down the 10k pot, and proceeded on with the tournament.

So, results aside, was this misplayed by me? And how? Extra credit for showing your work!

You Decide #77

Moving right along. Blinds are still 75/150, but now, I have 10,820. I am dealt 6 K T K, UTG. First to act, I make my standard 3x raise to 450. It folds to the BB (3450), who raises to 1425 (975 more). I call.

The flop was 4 5 J. With 2925 in the pot, the BB pushed all-in for 2025. I called with my simple overpair. He showed A 3 9 A. The turn was 7 and the river was A. I lost to the set of Aces, but I was behind the entire way. Is there any way to get away form this hand preflop or postflop? Was this just me gambling too much?

You Decide #78

For the final hand that I recorded, the blinds were 100/200, and I had 7570, in the SB with 2 2 T 5. UTG and the Button called. I called. The BB checked.

The flop was 2 8 6. I had bottom set (222), a baby flush draw, and that’s it. It was something, but not a lot. I decided to take the initiative and bet 600 into the 800 pot. Only UTG (7585) called. We had comparable stacks.

The turn was a 9. It could fill up a straight draw (57xx or 7Txx), but otherwise was a blank. The pot was 2k, and this time, I decided to rep a strong hand, figuring that I had a 5 and a Ten, making the straight less likely. My opponent pushed all-in. I waited a moment before calling off my last 4770. I figured that he probably had the straight, based on his re-raise, but I had lots of outs, including the flush and potential full house.

My opponent showed Q A T 7. There went my potential flush. Thankfully, the river was a 9, giving me a full house and the pot.

So, how’d I mess up this one? NOT THE FACE!

For an epilogue, that last win made me comfortable, but then I practically tripled up with AAxx versus two random hands from players that apparently hated their money. From there, I was in a strong position with about 30 players left (~4-6 place out of 30). As we neared the money (12 seats paid), I took some hits. I eventually got into the money 10th out of 12th. I was able to hold on as others dropped out and then began to use my abilities at measuring risk once the blinds got high. In the end, I took 4th place, good for $500 profit. I turned off the computer satisfied. I really wanted the top spot, $1,600+, but at least I got within spitting distance. That’s where I need to be.

The win has brought my Stars bankroll to around $1,000. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that fourth digit in use. It feels gooooooooood.

Until next time, make mine poker!