The European Open at the Vic last year, £100,000 for first prize. Four players left. Camry Banin had been chip leader all the final. I had just over taken him by playing very aggressively. We were the two chip leaders though. The two short stacks passed to our blinds. Camry made up the small blind (I felt reluctantly).
I looked down at KJ and raised slightly more than the pot. Camry thought for 30 seconds and then moved all-in. I felt Camry had sighed when I raised, or his body had not been happy. He also looked like he wasn't comfortable and wasn't breathing when I pondered over the situation.
I decided that he had very little, so I called him. Fortunately for me, he had K8 and my hand stood up. This hand won me the tournament. It was a great ballsy play on Camry's part but I chose to trust my judgement. Most players (maybe 90%) would have passed here.
I'd love everyone to bluff lots and lots and lots. I had a hand in Dublin where I made a bet on the turn with top pair bad kicker. My unknown opponent moved all-in for a huge overbet. I looked at him and he appeared very nervous. I reluctantly called and he stood up. He turned up a lowly pair of 6s and declared 'I only made this move because you are my wife's favourite player from LateNite Poker and I wanted to tell her I had bluffed you out of the pot'.
The table smirked quietly to themselves. Then the dealer turned the river which was of course a 6, and the whole table fell about laughing. As I was departing I asked him where his wife lived, but he wasn't telling...
My hands always shake when I get a good hand, when placing my chips in the pot I can't help it and either end up rushing and giving away my cards, what can I do to stop this?
The shakes can often be a 'tell'. Either you had one too many last night, or you have a strong hand. It's important to show consistency when placing your chips in the pot. Try counting to 10 every time you want to make a bet, whether you have a strong hand or a weak hand. If your hands only shake when you have a strong hand, then you must imitate the shakes when betting with a weak hand. If you can't do that, then use your toes to put your chips in. That foxes them every time.
