event #3, $1,500 no-limit
I felt really good going into this tournament. I loved my table draw and my seat at the table. I didn’t recognize anyone at my table and it didn’t look like my table would be breaking anytime soon. I felt very confident and was prepared to play some patient poker. I don’t like bashing on other players but as expected, there were some very inexperienced players in this tournament. My game plan was to just wait for people to make mistakes and then capitalize on em.
I had no real meaningful hands for the first three levels so I spent the time studying the other players.
Blinds 100/200
I raised under the gun to $600 with A, Ad. It folded around to the big blind who pushed all-in for 3k. I beat him into the pot and he showed K, K. The flop came Kd, Td, x. The turn brought the Qd, but the river bricked. This put me down to 5k.
A while later, an UTG $2,100 stack limps. An aggressive guy in seat 03 makes it $800. I call with T, T. UTG goes all-in and then Aggro shoves for $12k. I fold and they both show A, K. The flop comes T, 6, 6.
Later, middle position makes it $800. Next guy calls and I call on the button with Ad, Qd. The big blind calls. The flop comes Q, 9d, 8. The big blind bets out $1,500. Both guys before me fold and I make it $4k. The big blind shoves in for the rest of his chips ($500) and I fold. Just kidding. I call and he shows Q, 10. The turn is a 5d but the river is a black 10. Tough level.
Blinds 100/200 with a 25 ante:
I raise to 600 on the button with J, J. The small blind pushes for $2k and I call. He shows A, 10. My hand holds up.
Blinds 150/300/25:
Nothing to report.
Blinds 200/400/50
I raise in middle position to $1,100 with A, 8. Alex Jacob calls on the button The flop comes Q, 6, 2. I check. He bets. I fold.
Blinds 300/600/75
After only playing one hand in the last hour, I raise the cutoff to $1,800 with A, K. Alex makes it $3,800 in the small blind. I make it $8,800, leaving myself with less than $8k behind. He goes all-in and I obviously call. He shows T, T!!! Tens? I said, “Alex, what did you think I had? Nines?” I flopped a K but he rivered a 10 and he had me covered.
I really think this was one of the best tournaments I’ve ever played. I only marginally misplayed one hand if that. To go out the way I did both infuriates me and motivates me. Congrats to Alex for getting third.
paul wasicka’s blog
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
