Well, a new year is upon us and I am looking forward to playing allot of tournaments. I have just discovered a “new” poker room in Kansas so I will be hitting the tables there at least a few times a week. Sorry to all my loyal online followers but live play is just SO much better than online.
You mostly hear people complaining about the “online players” that are all over the circuit now but let me tell you that online play can tune your game to levels that will amaze you! Because I started my poker experience playing in a real life poker room I already had a strong game when I started playing online – however like most I was shocked at the actions other players would make. Once you become a solid online player and adapt the ability to rely on your blind tells – Meaning that you can put your opponent on a hand without seeing his face, then you will become a truly difficult player to sit across from at a live game. I once heard it described as a blind man whose other senses are so much more in tune because of the necessity. This is true of a good online player. Making mental notes of betting habits come naturally and you are free to now focus on the gestures of the hands, the ticks in the forehead and the chip placing.
Since December 15th I have not had a whole lot of time playing online. Here is an interesting hand from yesterday morning.
The game was No-Limit Hold’em $10-$20 blinds
The table was quite loser than what I am use to at this level so I tightened up.
I was cruising along up about $400 after 2 hours.
I was 1 position behind the button and looked down at JJ.
Everyone folded up to me and I made a raise of 3X the big blind making it $60 to play. The Button called the $60 and the other two hands were folded.
Flop came: 6h, 7d, 3d
Not a bad flop for JJ but I did not like to see the flush draw out there so I was not going to play this hand slow – Also I did not have position so figured I had better make a strong bet in case he’s holding a straight draw. I lead with a bet of $239.99 into a pot of $270 and my opponent waited about 10 seconds then moved all in with just under $900 And now I have to go into the tank – He was a semi-aggressive player but I did not think he was on a flush draw, I knew that I had played as if I had a high pair – and I do! What else would he make this move with if not trips – He must have flopped a set. But wait – it could be a smaller pair that did not hit the board. Finally I decided that I had to call there were just too many drawing hands or hands that could appear good for him that would prompt him to make this move. So I called and he turned over 10, 10 my jacks held up and I won a pot of $1,933.399
Not even 10 minutes later I was dealt Kh, Kd in first position. I made the same pre-flop raise of $60 and was called by the same player that had just lost with 10, 10
Flop came: (As, Ks, Jh) not as great a flop as it would appear. Since going broke and re-buying this guy has been a bit of a maniac so it would not surprise me if he held Q, 10 or if he wanted to get his money in with a flush draw hoping to catch and be even against me – I decided the only way to find out is a strong bet. So again I lead and bet $239.99 and he called. Turn was the 10s there was not a worse card that could have hit. If he had A, Q he just turned a straight – If he had two spades then he just turned a flush. I decided that if I check he would bet the pot or more – So I lead again with the same bet of $239.99 just hoping to see another card and hope the board pairs. Well no luck for me the river brought a 4h I decided that I wanted a showdown but I do not want to pay too much for it – So I bet $299.99 knowing that with out a flush or straight he could only call and I would win – If he raised he had me beat – He raised it up and moved all in. So I folded, for some reason he decided to show his hand and sure enough he had the Qs, Js Oh well at least I know that I made the right lay down.
After a few more un-interesting hours I ended the day just over $1,300 and I was pleased with that considering how aggressive the table was and that I only had a few tough decisions to make.
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