[...had a little scare today when I came to have a look at the sight and it was down...called support, they confirmed a server problem. whew....s'back up now...]
Ok, so I'd just come off a very profitable $2/4 session at Pacific (complain all you want about the software and interface - it's soft as a pile of Charmin' and just as easy to wipe up with). If I hadn't known better, I would have sworn I was back at the penny tables at UB - the only difference being now I knew what I was doing. It was a good thing. (Caveat - don't try this at home: I am playing way under the recommended bankroll for $2/4. I'm well aware of what I am risking!)
I had decided earlier that I was going to go for a $20 SnG before retiring for the evening. In the meantime I deposited another $50 because, upon logging in, I received a reminder that I'd get $25 in my acccount for my next $50 deposit. But then I checked the bonus page to learn how this $25 would become mine and decided I didn't like their bonus structure. I turned around an cashed out my $50. A couple of minutes later, I got a message that $25 had been added to my account. Ooops. Later I reversed the deposit, just in case they decided to take the $25 away for cashing out like that. (By the way - the balance to the right reflects the bankroll less all tourney fees and deposits)
I digress. After the deposit/bonus got taken care of, I went looking for a SnG to join. Found a $20 + 2 and signed up. It didn't take long to get full. Second hand in I'm dealt pocket 5's. Blinds are 10/20. I'm in middle position and I decide they're worth a visit to the flop, and since it's early, I'm going in for a moderate raise if it's not raised before it gets to me. I know, I know - what was the lesson from below?? Well, this time I'm going in with both eyes open. I want to raise to test the waters and get some information since it's early in. It's worth it to me. So I'm ready to raise 3x the BB and it's folded to me and - WHAT THE...?!? I can only raise to $40?? - awww, jeez, I'm in a LIMIT SnG.
I've played several limit SnGs and gave them up because they can be agony to play and drag out forever. Limit multis are even worse. I did well in them. Winning or placing in a majority of them. But upon this discovery, my baloon deflated. I didn't want to play in a limit game. But I'd put down $22 bucks. I just couldn't give up.
So I switched gears and went into limit mode. Essentially, when playing a limit SnG, you can just play your regular limit game - if you're any good - it's not that different from a cash game. But, my heart wasn't in it. There's really no thrill to a limit SnG. This one was fishy, over half the table seeing the flop every hand.
I wasn't doing too well. I had QQs busted by two guys who split the pot by spiking their strait on the river - they called my raise from the SB with J7-suited and 57-suited and with a K on the board to boot. I was whittled down to to T-180 by about hand #19. I was ready to pack it in.
I've got Q9-suited two off the button. UTG limps in, 1 calls, 1 raise, fold, I call - I figure, what the hell, 2 more fold. The SB calls, BB folds and 2 call.
Flop is 5-6-T, two are my suit. I'm debating now whether to stay in for the flush draw and then it gets checked by all to me, who now has position. Hmmm. I check.
Turn? - Q
There's a check, and a bet, and call, call. I do the only thing I can do. I raise, whch puts me all in. The SB, who led the raising pre-flop, folds. I get called by everyone remaining.
River? - 8
All 3 check. I'd thought, surely, someone was out there with the J-9 and I coudn't understand why they checked and then...all the chips came at me. Only one showed and they had A-9. I was now at T-810 and back in the game, whether I wanted to be or not.
I got serious about it after that and began to play some good poker and catch some good cards. One hand I took out 2 at once when I limped in with 5-6-suited and caught 2 pair on the flop. That was sweet. I'll cut to the chase - I took second place and $70. Thank you very much.
Today's lesson - read the tourney titles before entering! Y'all take care and keep those cards in the air!
