High and Lows of Tournaments
I had an interesting day with my poker play today. Cake Poker was nice and steady and I was able to make consistent gains playing cash games. However, when I switched over to Full Tilt, things got a little dicey. For starters, my cash games were split between 1 good table and 1 bad table. I even had to rebuy once. Sometimes it just seems like the turn and river are just out to get you. I played a lot of hands and ended up down almost $9.
During this time I also entered a large $1 rebuy/add-on tournament. There was 638 people playing but I decided to give it a shot anyways. After about a half hour in I ended up busting out. I felt my play was pretty good though so I decided to rebuy in for another $1 and 1500 chips. This time things were going well and by the time the cutoff for the add-on came, I was up to 9,000 chips and 52nd place (top 63 get paid). With another $1 and 2000 more chips, I moved into 41st place. And then comes the CRUSHING BLOW!
Here is how it went… I managed to get up to 41,000 chips (10th place) with 147 players left and then I was dealt Aces. I was first to act in early position and decided to just call for 500 chips. The table was pretty active by this point so I figured there was going to be a raiser. It was then folded to the button who decided to raise it up to 1000. Both the small and big blind called and now it was time to make my move. I re-raised to 6000. Everyone dropped out except the small blind who happened to be in 9th place.
The flop comes 6, 9, 4 rainbow. I figure I gotta have this. There was a small bet to me and then I re-raised all-in thinking he must have a high pocket pair or AK,AQ. CALLED !! Hmmm, at this point I am praying that he shows a couple of Kowboys. But no, my worst nightmare was realized, pocket 9s are shown. The turn and river didn’t help and just like that, I was out.
I wish I could say that this didn’t effect me but alas I cannot. So what did I do? I started up a $10+1 9 man sit-n-go. One of my stronger games from a while ago but definitely beyond the bankroll budget for the challenge. I played well and was able to place 1st winning $45 but there was that small tinge of guilt for letting my emotions get the better of me again. I should have had my bankroll to at least $110 before trying of tournament of this cost.
At the end of the day though it’s the bankroll balance that counts and I ended with my best day yet.
2009 is almost here so cheers and have a Happy New Year!!