I decided to go to Northville Downs for Belmont Day, primarily to see how the action was in the poker room on one of the major racing days, and a secondary goal was to avoid betting too much on horses from the comfort of my own home. Unfortunately what followed was a disaster of near epic proportions.
First on the horses, I still bet a decent amount on the early races, putting a lot of money into 2 separate races where the favorites ran well and I lost a good chunk of change. Then finally comes a race that I didn't put much into, and ends up paying over $300 for a $1 trifecta, with only horses that I liked, yet somehow I managed to miss the race. I most likely missed it because I was trying to bet horses and poker at the same time, and kept going back and forth between the table and the voucher machine.
Hand #1: Playing without a plan
It was a straddled pot to $4 by the button, and I was playing with about $325 at this point. There were at least 2 callers, so I just decided to call with 88. One more caller and then a young aggressive guy who at this point respected my game, but had been raising limpers quite liberally from late position raised to $25. The first callers folded, and when it got to me, I didn't particular like any of my options. Folding was not really an option against his range of hands, but I didn't really like calling either, and not having any initiative in the hand, as I was likely to face a sizeable flop bet, a flop which was likely to miss me. I decided to re-raise to $75, however I did this without much of a plan on what I was going to do for the rest of the hand. He pretty quickly shoved all-in for $225, leaving me with a decision. In the end I felt that his range included AK and AQ, and a few underpairs to my 8's, along with overpairs, and given that range, I felt that the pot odds justified my call. He had 99, and the board missed me. He said he was only afraid of TT and JJ as he knew I wouldn't limp a big pair behind a few limpers already. I'm not positive that's true given his penchant for raising limpers in LP, but it's a reasonable assumption.
Hand #2: Getting in against overpairs, the theme continues
Pot was straddled for $5 from the button, and after 2 callers I raised to $35 with TT. The button then shoved for $62, and I had a trivial call. He rolled over AA, and I was way behind again. Fortunately for me I flopped a T, and my hand held up for a suckout, albeit a small one.
Hand #3: A hand I wasn't involved in, but for context
There were a few limpers, and then the button, a loose spewy player raised to 15, leaving himself 65 behind. There were 2 callers, and the CO , a white haired middle aged guy who had been playing aggressively (Whitey for short) called, saying "I feel a suckout coming." Flop was 987 rainbow, and folded around to Whitey who seemingly randomly decided to bet 45. The button shoved for his 63, and then the tight player who works at the golf course smooth called the 63, leaving himself 125 behind. This looked extremely strong to me, like a set. The other limper then shoved all-in for about 200, then Whitey shoved all-in, then the golf course guy called all-in as well. They rolled the hands over and Whitey had JT for the nuts, golf course guy had T9 for a pair and open ender, and the other limper had T6 for the flopped 2nd nuts. The button didn't turn his hand over. The board ran out with a 7 and a low card, and Whitey swept the entire pot.
Hand #4: The very next hand
After 3 bustouts we are playing 6 handed. Whitey limps UTG, young guy on the button makes it 10, I 3bet to 30 with QQ (I have 3 bet the young guy a few times today), and then Whitey makes it 100 kinda forcefully. When he did this he was still stacking his chips from the previous hand. The one thing that I couldn't get past was that it didn't make sense for him to limp re-raise, especially short handed. After picking up a big pot like that, players will tend to play more loose and more aggressively, so I didn't see a good reason for why he would do that with AA or KK. I decided to shove for 250 and he went into the tank. This was immediately good news, as he obviously didn't have aces. He started saying "Why would you think so long with aces, etc....". Finally he called and rolled over KK, and I missed in the large pot.
Hand #5: Finally aces!
Here is the hand discussion on 2+2:
Relevant stacks and reads:
BB - Me (250)
SB (65) - Regular in the room, he has already dusted off 1.5 buyins with loose mostly passive play.
BTN (325) - I haven't seen him before, and he has been only at the table a few minutes. He has been running good, but I haven't seen a lot from him. From my limited experience so far, he seems slightly above average (though average is pretty bad). He looks to be of Indian descent.
An early position player limps, the button limps behind, the SB completes, and I raise to 17 with AsAc. EP folds, the Indian button calls, and the SB calls.
(Pot: 53) - Flop QdJh8d. SB shoves for his last 48. My thinking here is that I am rarely behind the SB. He likely has a Q, a pair and a draw, or just a random draw. I decide to just call, as I am not ready to commit $250 to this board. While I feel this is exploitable by a good player, I felt that the only way the Indian raises me is if he has me beat. I'm ok with giving him the 3-1 odds he is getting for a draw at this point. My plan is to shove a "blank" turn.
(Pot: 188) - Turn Tc. I check, and button bets 100. I disgustingly fold and the SB rolls over Td4d for a draw, and the Indian has J9 for the turned straight.
The river is a Ks, giving me what would have been the nuts for a nice kick in the dick.
Hand #6: The final insult
Despite all of the above, I still feel like I was playing alright, so I rebought up to $200. I limped 76 in EP, and we saw a family flop. Flop was A63 rainbow. It's checked around to the young kid in the CO bets 15, the Indian again the button calls, and it comes to me. I am pretty sure I am beat here, and while I could call and draw for my 2 pair or trips, the two pair fills a 54 draw. I believe the CO would have raised with any ace here, so I am not giving him credit for anything. I think the button likely has a weak ace. I decide to check raise to 65, as this is how I would play a two pair type hand. The CO folds as expected and the Indian calls after thinking for a few seconds. The turn is a J, and I decide I have to follow through now. I shove for 135 and he tanks for about 30 seconds and calls. I miss on the river and roll over my cards, and he turns over A9. I didn't he was good, but I sure didn't think he would call that much with a marginal ace. The funny thing is that if I play the hand in that manner, I have the best hand 90% of the time, yet he managed to find the 10% (or less) time that I didn't have the best hand.
So another 3+ buy-in loss. Coupled with a 3 buy-in loss 2 sessions ago, which sandwiched a 1 buy-in win, and I am on a bit of a cold streak. My hourly rate is still clicking at about $40 per hour for the last 7.5 months, but this was certainly a painful day.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Thursday, June 09, 2011
A quick winning session
I played a short session, almost 2 hours in the end, at Northville Downs before Christina's rehearsal dinner. The hope was to make a small recovery from my brutal previous session. As I sat down, the guy directly to my right was shipping a big pot to the guy to my left, saying he didn't notice the flush draw getting there, or something to that effect. So my first hand I am in MP, and after one limper for 2, the guy to my right shoves for 42. I have AA and smooth call, and folds to the limper who calls (young early to mid 20's guy who I think I have seen before). Flop comes 544, and the limper checks blind to me. I bet 55 and he folds JJ face up. The board runs out with another 4 and I take the pot of about 125 for an early $80 profit.
A bit later, the tables have combined and there is a total maniac to my left. He has just lost a huge pot with AA v JJ where a J hit on the river, and he is fairly steamed. I limp in EP with QJo, and the maniac raises to 15, there are 3 callers and I call closing the action. Flop is QhQx8h, and I check, the maniac disappointingly checks, and the button (young fat guy who is friends with the young guy in the first hand) bets 20. Folds to me and I make a very small raise to 50, in an attempt to look as bluffy as possible, also because I think calling there screams strength. The maniac folds and the button calls. At this point I am slightly afraid that I am trailing, but I plan on making a large bet on any non heart turn. The turn is a black 6, and I put out a stack of 100 (he has 114 left). He tanks for 30 seconds or so and then shoves. I call, and the river is another 6. I table QJ and he shows JJ, to be drawing stone cold dead.
After losing a few hands with preflop raises and failed continuation bets, I play a hand where I end up in an interesting spot due to playing a hand in a manner unorthodox for me. After a few limpers I limp along with 99 (I had raised in a spot similar to this a few hands ago with TT, and folded on a AJ7 flop to the maniacs A2 and the young kids AJ). Surprisingly the maniac limps along instead of raising, and we see a flop 6-7 ways. Flop is 6d5x2d. After a few checks I elect to check, and the maniac bets 25 (has about 175 behind). Folds to Willard (old tight man who will call a lot of smaller bets with draws, and never bluffs) and he calls. I decide to call and see how the turn plays out. The turn is beautiful for me, as it's the 9h. Willard and I both check, and the maniac bets 60. Willard folds what I later find out is diamonds, which makes my decision a lot easier, and I shove for 150-160 now. The maniac asks me if I show if he folds and I shake my head no, and then he surprisingly mucks. He says "Two pair no good?" to which I reply "You didn't have 2 pair." He insists that he did, but I know better, as I have seen him call large bets with merely top pair already, and he definitely calls with 2 pair having invested half of his stack thus far.
A few hands later he busts out, and the table immediately becomes worse. At that point I get the text that everyone is on their way to dinner, so I cash out up slightly more than a buy-in. I wasn't totally satisfied with my play, but having a maniac directly to my left didn't allow me to play my normal game. But a win is a win and I will take it.
A bit later, the tables have combined and there is a total maniac to my left. He has just lost a huge pot with AA v JJ where a J hit on the river, and he is fairly steamed. I limp in EP with QJo, and the maniac raises to 15, there are 3 callers and I call closing the action. Flop is QhQx8h, and I check, the maniac disappointingly checks, and the button (young fat guy who is friends with the young guy in the first hand) bets 20. Folds to me and I make a very small raise to 50, in an attempt to look as bluffy as possible, also because I think calling there screams strength. The maniac folds and the button calls. At this point I am slightly afraid that I am trailing, but I plan on making a large bet on any non heart turn. The turn is a black 6, and I put out a stack of 100 (he has 114 left). He tanks for 30 seconds or so and then shoves. I call, and the river is another 6. I table QJ and he shows JJ, to be drawing stone cold dead.
After losing a few hands with preflop raises and failed continuation bets, I play a hand where I end up in an interesting spot due to playing a hand in a manner unorthodox for me. After a few limpers I limp along with 99 (I had raised in a spot similar to this a few hands ago with TT, and folded on a AJ7 flop to the maniacs A2 and the young kids AJ). Surprisingly the maniac limps along instead of raising, and we see a flop 6-7 ways. Flop is 6d5x2d. After a few checks I elect to check, and the maniac bets 25 (has about 175 behind). Folds to Willard (old tight man who will call a lot of smaller bets with draws, and never bluffs) and he calls. I decide to call and see how the turn plays out. The turn is beautiful for me, as it's the 9h. Willard and I both check, and the maniac bets 60. Willard folds what I later find out is diamonds, which makes my decision a lot easier, and I shove for 150-160 now. The maniac asks me if I show if he folds and I shake my head no, and then he surprisingly mucks. He says "Two pair no good?" to which I reply "You didn't have 2 pair." He insists that he did, but I know better, as I have seen him call large bets with merely top pair already, and he definitely calls with 2 pair having invested half of his stack thus far.
A few hands later he busts out, and the table immediately becomes worse. At that point I get the text that everyone is on their way to dinner, so I cash out up slightly more than a buy-in. I wasn't totally satisfied with my play, but having a maniac directly to my left didn't allow me to play my normal game. But a win is a win and I will take it.
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Belmont Stakes preview
1. Master of Hounds, Garrett Gomez, 10-1
I kinda liked him going into the Derby, and he should like the added distance. In his earlier races he showed the ability to track the pace a little closer, which he may need to do here. I like him for a piece of the pie, and will play on top on backup tickets.
2. Stay Thirsty, Javier Castellano, 20-1
Regally bred, but thus far that's the only thing to like about him. Belmont is his home track, but the simple truth is that he isn't as fast as a lot of these horses thus far. Have to toss.
3. Ruler On Ice, Jose Valdivia Jr., 20-1
Toss
4. Santiva, Shaun Bridgmohan, 15-1
Liked a bit in the Derby and ran well. Probably can only play for 3rd here.
5. Brilliant Speed, Joel Rosario, 15-1
Ran well in the Derby, but he was behind 6 horses that are running in Belmont. Had some traffic trouble which could account for a few lengths. I like for 3rd at best here.
6. Nehro, Corey Nakatani, 4-1
Something tells me that he isn't going to finish better than 3rd here. He was very flat coming down the lane in the Derby, and he got a very good trip. He does have a lot of stamina in his pedigree from Mineshaft and AP Indy, but like I said, I just have a hunch. He doesn't like to win, but does seem to give an honest effort.
7. Monzon, Jose Lezcano, 30-1
Barf
8. Prime Cut, Edgar Prado, 15-1
May be a slight pace factor, but I think the distance will be his undoing. May play on bottom of backup tickets.
9. Animal Kingdom, John Velazquez, 2-1
Had a great workout the other day, and has given me no reason to not like him. He is the horse to key on (can't believe I was too stupid to do that in the Preakness0.
10. Mucho Macho Man, Ramon Dominguez, 10-1
He always seems to run into trouble, and am concerned that this campaign is taking a lot out of him. BUT.....at 10-1 he is certainly value. The distance may be a bit much for him, but his speed figures are competitive and he always gives it an honest try.
11. Isn't He Perfect, Rajiv Maragh, 30-1
Double barf. Didn't they learn enough in the Preakness?
12. Shackleford, Jesus Castanon, 9-2
Outside post will not hurt him. The lack of early speed in this race should allow him to dictate things similar to how he did in the Derby. He is game as hell, but I just think the Belmont is going to be too far for him, regardless of the fractions he sets (he seems to go best when gunning through fast fractions anyways, like in the Preakness). Going to take a stand and pass on him.
Predicted order of finish:
1st - Animal Kingdom
2nd - Master of Hounds
3rd - Mucho Macho Man
4th - Brilliant Speed
I kinda liked him going into the Derby, and he should like the added distance. In his earlier races he showed the ability to track the pace a little closer, which he may need to do here. I like him for a piece of the pie, and will play on top on backup tickets.
2. Stay Thirsty, Javier Castellano, 20-1
Regally bred, but thus far that's the only thing to like about him. Belmont is his home track, but the simple truth is that he isn't as fast as a lot of these horses thus far. Have to toss.
3. Ruler On Ice, Jose Valdivia Jr., 20-1
Toss
4. Santiva, Shaun Bridgmohan, 15-1
Liked a bit in the Derby and ran well. Probably can only play for 3rd here.
5. Brilliant Speed, Joel Rosario, 15-1
Ran well in the Derby, but he was behind 6 horses that are running in Belmont. Had some traffic trouble which could account for a few lengths. I like for 3rd at best here.
6. Nehro, Corey Nakatani, 4-1
Something tells me that he isn't going to finish better than 3rd here. He was very flat coming down the lane in the Derby, and he got a very good trip. He does have a lot of stamina in his pedigree from Mineshaft and AP Indy, but like I said, I just have a hunch. He doesn't like to win, but does seem to give an honest effort.
7. Monzon, Jose Lezcano, 30-1
Barf
8. Prime Cut, Edgar Prado, 15-1
May be a slight pace factor, but I think the distance will be his undoing. May play on bottom of backup tickets.
9. Animal Kingdom, John Velazquez, 2-1
Had a great workout the other day, and has given me no reason to not like him. He is the horse to key on (can't believe I was too stupid to do that in the Preakness0.
10. Mucho Macho Man, Ramon Dominguez, 10-1
He always seems to run into trouble, and am concerned that this campaign is taking a lot out of him. BUT.....at 10-1 he is certainly value. The distance may be a bit much for him, but his speed figures are competitive and he always gives it an honest try.
11. Isn't He Perfect, Rajiv Maragh, 30-1
Double barf. Didn't they learn enough in the Preakness?
12. Shackleford, Jesus Castanon, 9-2
Outside post will not hurt him. The lack of early speed in this race should allow him to dictate things similar to how he did in the Derby. He is game as hell, but I just think the Belmont is going to be too far for him, regardless of the fractions he sets (he seems to go best when gunning through fast fractions anyways, like in the Preakness). Going to take a stand and pass on him.
Predicted order of finish:
1st - Animal Kingdom
2nd - Master of Hounds
3rd - Mucho Macho Man
4th - Brilliant Speed
Monday, June 06, 2011
A bad session
I headed up to Northville Downs on Saturday night for a brief session, sitting down at about 10pm. I sat down brimming with confidence, knowing that I was one of the best players there, reinforced first by my own observation, and second from the results of my 30 or so sessions I have played there since November. Unfortunately, it was one of those sessions when from the start, nothing seemed to be going right.
When I first sat down, it was hard to ignore the huge stack of chips in front of the 22 year old kid 3 seats to my right. I estimated it to be about $1800, which is a ton in a $200 buy-in game. I was curious to see if it was because he was running great, or playing phenomenally.
I got a chance to see in one of my very first hands. He limped along with another limper, and I made it 14 with KhKd. Folds back to him and he is the only caller. Flop comes TT5 with 2 clubs, and he checks, and I make a relatively small continuation bet of 20, and he calls. The turn is a 7h, he checks, and I check behind for pot control. The river is a 6c, pretty much a terrible card as it completes the flush draw. He confidently leads out 40, and even though I think this is ordinarily a fold, as I don't beat much that would have called that flop, aside from random pairs that didn't believe me on the flop, I decided to call. But then again he is a young kid with a massive stack, so I'm guessing he thinks he can outplay anyone and feels pretty invincible at this point. Based on that, and his likelihood to believe by checking the turn, I called and he showed 66 for the rivered full house.
That put me in an early hole, but I rebought up to the max. I lost a few more pots, and continued to rebuy until I was in for 400 when this hand came up. A few limpers to me and I had ATo in LP, I elected to limp behind as I had been fairly active pre-flop, and felt I was likely to get multiple callers unless I made a giant raise. The flop came AT6r, and the SB led for 8, the guy directly to my right called (playing about 120), and I raised to 28. SB folded and guy to my right called. The turn was a 4, and he led into me for 40. I basically shoved and he called, and rolled over A7 to be drawing completely dead. When he got up to rebuy, the dealer asked me if we had played a lot before, saying that he never sees him get out of line like that. I told him I didn't recall very much history at all between us. This hand got me back to a point where I was down only $50 or so.
A short time later, I was in a large limped pot with 87o, in mid to late position. Flop is JT9, so I flopped the idiot end of the straight. The BB led out 10, there was 1 caller, and I elected to play small ball at this point and called. The SB called as well. The turn was a low blank, and the BB led out 20 this time, again I called, and the SB came along as well ( he only was playing about 100 before the hand started). I realized that I was allowing people with an open ended draw to come along cheap, but I wasn't positive I was ahead of the BB at this point. The river was a 7, making anybody with an 8 the straight. The BB again led, this time leading for 50. His sudden switch to a larger bet, after a bad river card, had me starting to believe that I was behind. But since I played the hand like a calling station to that point, I decided to follow through and complete that plan and called. The SB called as well and the BB rolled over KQ for the nuts. The SB apparently also had 87.
After a stretch, I finally got a chance to play a hand with the table maniac. He had been playing big pots with relatively weak hands the whole night, and I was chomping at the bit to play a biggie with him. He also had just lost a big pot, and I believed he was on the verge of tilting. He was the kind of player who rarely knows when it's his turn to act, didn't really understand the concept of the button straddle, and had shown a large bluff or two to this point. He opened in EP to 10, and after 2 callers, I called with 3d2d from the button. We saw the flop 5 handed, and it came down T54, given me a reasonably hidden OESD. Maniac bet 30, I called, primarily because I wanted to see if someone behind me woke up with a big hand, and also because I didn't think the maniac would fold any pairs in this spot. The rest of the players folded and the turn was a 2, giving me a pair with my draw. The maniac then shoved for 114. My initial inclination was to call, but I sat tight and wanted to observe his behavior. He seemed a little agitated, and I saw him swallow a big gulp in his throat, which is normally an indicator of a player who doesn't want a call. He also began talking a lot, completely unsolicited by me or anybody else. He yelled to the bar to bring him a beer, and generally his behavior just seemed uncomfortable. Putting all of it together, I elected to call. He rolled over T9 for TPNK, and I missed the river and quietly mucked my cards. So I believe I was right in my read that he was weak, but not as weak as I had hoped or needed, as I really believed he had two big cards, including an ace, and felt that he was really only drawing to 3 outs as an ace would have made my straight. In any case, I had a 30% chance of winning the pot after the turn, so it wasn't a completely dire situation, but it didn't work out.
They combine tables as a few are getting shorter, when this hand comes up. I open UTG to 8 with 5d4d, and I believe 4 players go to the flop. Flop is AQT with diamond, and I make a continuation bet of 20 at the pot and a semi-regular calls in position. I don't have any real history with him, but I don't fear him. I am done with the hand until an interesting turn card comes, the Kd. I think for about 10 seconds and bet 40, as I have a diamond draw now, and also the 4 card straight may scare my opponent. He thinks for about 20 seconds and calls. The river is the 6c....meaning I am playing the board. I think the regular has at least 1 pair, maybe 2 pair, but definitely not a straight, so I debate the best way to try to win the pot. I debate the merits of a large bet, and decide he may call bullshit with that line, so I settle on what looks like a small "value" bet, and bet out 50. He thinks for nearly a minute and then decides to call, I roll over my 5 high, and he turns over QT for a flopped 2 pair. I chalk him up as a guy who doesn't like to fold marginal hands.
Finally though, the crown jewel for the night. We are playing 6 handed, and I have about 260 in my stack, with both villians covering. I straddle button for 5. SB (the reg from the previous QT hand) raises to 10, BB calls, 2 others call, I call with 55. Flop Ks5h3d. Pot is 50, SB checks, BB bets 25, fold to me, I call, SB calls. Turn Ks5h3d(Js). Pot is 125. Checks to me, I make a weak bet of 45 as I don't think anyone is very strong at all, and I'm not really worried about being run down either. River Ks5h3dJs(Jc). Pot is 260, checks to me, I have 160 left, but think a shove looks too strong. I settle on betting 110. SB is debating for a while, but I think he's going to fold. Both of them have a recent history with me of me showing down bluffs or not very strong hands. After about a minute SB declares "All-in", and BB folds. I am a little shocked now, but with only 50 left, I call and he rolls over KK! I am absolutely shocked that he checked 3 streets there, I was 100% sure that I was winning that pot.
One of the more painful aspects of that hand was at the end of it, the guy who won the pot looked so smug, like he had just made a dynamite play to get my stack, when in reality he would have had my whole stack at any point, and he actually played the hand in the only way possible where he may not have gotten it all.
Obviously chalk the last hand up to a cooler and move on, but I find after a losing session I always have a slight tinge of fear and bankroll concerns. Even though I can handle a few losses like this, the doubt and fear is creeping in there. I realize that losing sessions are a natural part of the game, but this is my largest loss in this game since I have began keeping meticulous records. Maybe it's because the losing sessions have been so infrequent, that it makes it feel worse. But in any case, I need to get back in there asap, and play my A game and have a winning session to turn things back around.
When I first sat down, it was hard to ignore the huge stack of chips in front of the 22 year old kid 3 seats to my right. I estimated it to be about $1800, which is a ton in a $200 buy-in game. I was curious to see if it was because he was running great, or playing phenomenally.
I got a chance to see in one of my very first hands. He limped along with another limper, and I made it 14 with KhKd. Folds back to him and he is the only caller. Flop comes TT5 with 2 clubs, and he checks, and I make a relatively small continuation bet of 20, and he calls. The turn is a 7h, he checks, and I check behind for pot control. The river is a 6c, pretty much a terrible card as it completes the flush draw. He confidently leads out 40, and even though I think this is ordinarily a fold, as I don't beat much that would have called that flop, aside from random pairs that didn't believe me on the flop, I decided to call. But then again he is a young kid with a massive stack, so I'm guessing he thinks he can outplay anyone and feels pretty invincible at this point. Based on that, and his likelihood to believe by checking the turn, I called and he showed 66 for the rivered full house.
That put me in an early hole, but I rebought up to the max. I lost a few more pots, and continued to rebuy until I was in for 400 when this hand came up. A few limpers to me and I had ATo in LP, I elected to limp behind as I had been fairly active pre-flop, and felt I was likely to get multiple callers unless I made a giant raise. The flop came AT6r, and the SB led for 8, the guy directly to my right called (playing about 120), and I raised to 28. SB folded and guy to my right called. The turn was a 4, and he led into me for 40. I basically shoved and he called, and rolled over A7 to be drawing completely dead. When he got up to rebuy, the dealer asked me if we had played a lot before, saying that he never sees him get out of line like that. I told him I didn't recall very much history at all between us. This hand got me back to a point where I was down only $50 or so.
A short time later, I was in a large limped pot with 87o, in mid to late position. Flop is JT9, so I flopped the idiot end of the straight. The BB led out 10, there was 1 caller, and I elected to play small ball at this point and called. The SB called as well. The turn was a low blank, and the BB led out 20 this time, again I called, and the SB came along as well ( he only was playing about 100 before the hand started). I realized that I was allowing people with an open ended draw to come along cheap, but I wasn't positive I was ahead of the BB at this point. The river was a 7, making anybody with an 8 the straight. The BB again led, this time leading for 50. His sudden switch to a larger bet, after a bad river card, had me starting to believe that I was behind. But since I played the hand like a calling station to that point, I decided to follow through and complete that plan and called. The SB called as well and the BB rolled over KQ for the nuts. The SB apparently also had 87.
After a stretch, I finally got a chance to play a hand with the table maniac. He had been playing big pots with relatively weak hands the whole night, and I was chomping at the bit to play a biggie with him. He also had just lost a big pot, and I believed he was on the verge of tilting. He was the kind of player who rarely knows when it's his turn to act, didn't really understand the concept of the button straddle, and had shown a large bluff or two to this point. He opened in EP to 10, and after 2 callers, I called with 3d2d from the button. We saw the flop 5 handed, and it came down T54, given me a reasonably hidden OESD. Maniac bet 30, I called, primarily because I wanted to see if someone behind me woke up with a big hand, and also because I didn't think the maniac would fold any pairs in this spot. The rest of the players folded and the turn was a 2, giving me a pair with my draw. The maniac then shoved for 114. My initial inclination was to call, but I sat tight and wanted to observe his behavior. He seemed a little agitated, and I saw him swallow a big gulp in his throat, which is normally an indicator of a player who doesn't want a call. He also began talking a lot, completely unsolicited by me or anybody else. He yelled to the bar to bring him a beer, and generally his behavior just seemed uncomfortable. Putting all of it together, I elected to call. He rolled over T9 for TPNK, and I missed the river and quietly mucked my cards. So I believe I was right in my read that he was weak, but not as weak as I had hoped or needed, as I really believed he had two big cards, including an ace, and felt that he was really only drawing to 3 outs as an ace would have made my straight. In any case, I had a 30% chance of winning the pot after the turn, so it wasn't a completely dire situation, but it didn't work out.
They combine tables as a few are getting shorter, when this hand comes up. I open UTG to 8 with 5d4d, and I believe 4 players go to the flop. Flop is AQT with diamond, and I make a continuation bet of 20 at the pot and a semi-regular calls in position. I don't have any real history with him, but I don't fear him. I am done with the hand until an interesting turn card comes, the Kd. I think for about 10 seconds and bet 40, as I have a diamond draw now, and also the 4 card straight may scare my opponent. He thinks for about 20 seconds and calls. The river is the 6c....meaning I am playing the board. I think the regular has at least 1 pair, maybe 2 pair, but definitely not a straight, so I debate the best way to try to win the pot. I debate the merits of a large bet, and decide he may call bullshit with that line, so I settle on what looks like a small "value" bet, and bet out 50. He thinks for nearly a minute and then decides to call, I roll over my 5 high, and he turns over QT for a flopped 2 pair. I chalk him up as a guy who doesn't like to fold marginal hands.
Finally though, the crown jewel for the night. We are playing 6 handed, and I have about 260 in my stack, with both villians covering. I straddle button for 5. SB (the reg from the previous QT hand) raises to 10, BB calls, 2 others call, I call with 55. Flop Ks5h3d. Pot is 50, SB checks, BB bets 25, fold to me, I call, SB calls. Turn Ks5h3d(Js). Pot is 125. Checks to me, I make a weak bet of 45 as I don't think anyone is very strong at all, and I'm not really worried about being run down either. River Ks5h3dJs(Jc). Pot is 260, checks to me, I have 160 left, but think a shove looks too strong. I settle on betting 110. SB is debating for a while, but I think he's going to fold. Both of them have a recent history with me of me showing down bluffs or not very strong hands. After about a minute SB declares "All-in", and BB folds. I am a little shocked now, but with only 50 left, I call and he rolls over KK! I am absolutely shocked that he checked 3 streets there, I was 100% sure that I was winning that pot.
One of the more painful aspects of that hand was at the end of it, the guy who won the pot looked so smug, like he had just made a dynamite play to get my stack, when in reality he would have had my whole stack at any point, and he actually played the hand in the only way possible where he may not have gotten it all.
Obviously chalk the last hand up to a cooler and move on, but I find after a losing session I always have a slight tinge of fear and bankroll concerns. Even though I can handle a few losses like this, the doubt and fear is creeping in there. I realize that losing sessions are a natural part of the game, but this is my largest loss in this game since I have began keeping meticulous records. Maybe it's because the losing sessions have been so infrequent, that it makes it feel worse. But in any case, I need to get back in there asap, and play my A game and have a winning session to turn things back around.
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