Campfire Stories

Bellagio Five Diamond, Day 1: $1500+90 NLHE

Busto five hours in... Well, one in, one out. Today was one of the classic tournaments where I got a ton going and then made one maybe mistake/probably bad situation and ended up going busto. I had over 13k in level three (100-200) which made me somewhere around the chip leaders, but from there I had to make two tough laydowns, couldn't do anything during the 100-200/25 level, and then going into the 200-400/25 level I found myself in this spot. I really would appreciate any constructive feedback that y'all have... and this doesn't mean, "Well played!", or, "You're a f-ing donkey!" Anyways, here's what happened.

I had 9k in chips left, good for about 1500 above average at this point. My table had been playing pretty tight for most of the tournament, and my image was tight. I had been making some big laydowns (which is not the way I hope to win a tournament... but definately how to keep myself in the running!) before this hand. An asian player who was relatively new to the table and had been playing normally opened to 1100 from the hijack (two right of the button). I was on the button and found JJ. I re-raised to 2800. I wanted to give myself the ability to get away from the hand if necessary, and I generally like keeping the pots smaller anyways. Oops, he shoved. I had him covered, but if I called and lost I would have had 1275. If I folded I would have had 6175. Well, we all know that I hate being in short stack situations, and 6100 is short to me... less than 8m's. I really feel that this happened to be a feel situation. I was getting 2.4-1 on my money and my instinct was saying that he really would have prefered to take the pot down right there. The range I had him on was 60% AK, 30% overpair, 10% underpair. I suppose if that's an accuate range then I need to be calling... 60% of the time I win 55%, 30% I win 18%, 10% I win 82%... good for what, 0.33+.054+.082 = 0.466 win rate at 2.4-1? Yeah... I need to call there - I just wonder if I had missed something on my read - but. I don't know. I suppose that's the rub of this game that so much is intangible and that's what separates the good from the best. My instinct has served me pretty well over my poker life and especially this month, so I don't feel that I should question this hand. Ok. I'm still interested in your feedback, but there was the written dialogue of my mind working out this problem. I feel better.

Lisa Wheeler from coughcoughcardplayercough was there today doing live updates and shooting some photography. I was listed as a "notable player" in a pretty exclusive list at the beginning of the event. That made me feel pretty good.

Tonight I may or may not go out, and then back to the B tomorrow for the $2000+100 NLHE event. I really hope I can make a big score in these first three so I will feel comfortable playing in the $3k and $5k events.

Peace and good luck,

Devo

posted by Devo @ 9:03 PM |