Normally I only respond to posts on this part of the forum, but I have a situation of my own from a live game last night (£300 double chance at the Broadway) that I am not at all happy with. I came away from there feeling really annoyed with myself, manily becasue I couldn't work out if I had misplayed it and if I had played it differently, whether I still get away.
A while ago, I had decided that there was no way I would allow myself to go broke in the early stages of a decent live tournament with less than a set (don't mind stacking off with big pairs pre in on-line carpshoots), but I broke that rule last night. It was a 6000 starting stack and 60 minute levels, so a reasonable structure.
I had played just 2 hands in the first hour despite lots of action around me and had a stack of 6325, when early in level 2 I was dealt

utg. I limped in the hope of a raise behind me so that I can reraise. This is something I do often in early position with AA or KK to get some value from them, but then treat them like a small pair post flop if there is no raise and a few opponents. Anyhow, last night utg+1 makes it 500 and everyone else passed round to me. As it was heads up, I took a view that I would just call. The flop came Qc9c5h. I was of course happy to see no ace. I led out for 500 and he made it 2000 I jammed all in, he dwelled and called with QcJc. Brick on the turn but

on the river sealed my fate.
Now I have no problem with the beat, that happens and we must have been pretty much 50/50 anyway, but when heads up, should I have reraised pre and if so how much? Am I trying to take down his 500 and the blinds with a big bet or should I make it about 1200 which he possibly stays with still in position and I commit myself to the pot even earlier? More importantly is there any excuse for going broke so early with waht essentially is just one pair albeit an overpair to the flop?
Thanks in advance, I look forward to your replies.