As I mentioned in my previous post, Bobby Dee and I drove north to Oklahoma to compete in a $175 no-limit, freeze-out tournament at the WinStar Casino. Both of us fell a little short of cashing, so after a bite at one of the restaurants in the casino, we decided to try our luck at the cash games.
Our game of preference was $1-2 NLHE, but there were around 60 people on the waiting list. We only had a couple hours left before heading home, so that wasn't an option. The $1-3 NLHE only had 20-something on the list, so we signed up and waited. It took about half an hour before we were seated (at separate tables), and started pitching cards.
I bought in for $200 and limped from UTG with T-8 soooted, only to be raised and then 3-bet. For some reason, which I find hard to explain as I write this, I decided to call. A swing and a miss on the flop, and I was down $18 on the first hand.
The second hand I peeked down at A-J and open raised to $10, only to get re-popped to $24 pre-flop. Once again I didn't connect on the flop and had to fold to a continuation bet and found myself down another $24.
Damn.
My third hand was pocket nines. Since the action had been so wild in the first two hands, I decided to open limp from middle position, assuming someone would raise anyway. It folded to the button, who bumped it to $10. Both blinds mucked and I called the additional seven bucks. A ten high flop looked pretty good for my hand, so I tossed three redbirds and got called. The flop was another low, unconnected card, but I slowed down and checked. The villain bet $35 and then stared me down as I considered a call. I read this as weakness and made the call. The river was a queen, which was certainly in his range, but I still thought I could very well be ahead. Once again I checked and my nemesis slammed down a $80 bet along with the "I dare you to call" stare again. I still read weakness. A-K? Middle pair?
I made the tough call and was shown A-A.
Bad read.
Crap. Down $180 in three hands.
Ain't poker fun!
I pulled another $150 from my roll, thinking that I would call it a day if I lost it.
Things settled down for a lap or two as I didn't receive any playable hands. This was probably a good thing, giving me time to regain my composure and getting a better feel for the other players.
My next big hand came from the big blind. A middle position player raised to $10 and was called by "Mr. Stare Down." This time however, I was the one with pocket aces! I re-popped it to $25 and received calls from both players.
The flop hit me so hard it knocked me out of my chair. I got up, looked again, and almost fainted!
What's better than an A-A-K flop when you are holding A-A? Holding it with two players betting into you, that's what!
As first to act I checked and was pleased as villain #1 bet $25. Mr. Stare Down and I both called.
The turn was a repeat, with #1 pushing his last $25 in and MSD and I calling.
I pushed for my final $65 on the river and waited for the stare down from you know who. He hem-hawed before grudgingly making the call. After the hand of which I had gotten full value, I found myself sitting on $320, which was pretty good after such a horrible start.
A few hands later I held 3-5 of diamonds in the BB. With a raise to $10 and two callers, I decided to buy a ticket for this ride and tossed in $7. The flop was T-Q-6 with one diamond. I checked and was prepared to toss my hand, but it checked around. Another diamond hit on the turn and we checked around again. All I could figure is that I was up against a mid pair and/or A-K. The river was the jack of diamonds, giving me my flush. I bet $15, hoping someone may have completed a straight. One player folded, but the other raised to $50. I called and was shown a straight, so I scooped another nice pot.
When Bobby and I cashed out and headed for his truck, I was up $80 for the session. That's not a big win by any stretch, but after being down so much, I was pleased to walk away with a few extra shekels in my pocket.
We had a good time last Saturday and I'm sure there will be another trip in the near future. We'll probably take a few more players from our home game on the next trip.
Till next time, win the flips!
