So we get back to the hotel at around 2.30ish and re tell our tales of hands. Dan and I are chatting more and more about lines we take, sizing etc etc and it's really helping both our games. I've not really had anyone to talk to at big comps since he who must not be named left the poker scene. I think, just as in this report, I'm brutally honest about how I've played some hands and it's good to get some perspective from another good player.
I watch the big game on my lappie as the free wireless at the hotel is decent. We stayed at the Imperial Hotel which was pretty good even if it was like a rabbit warren. Took us quite a while just to find the room! I fell asleep after an hour and was a bit restless. The beds were a little too small, esp for far bar steward like me. We eat lunch at the restaurant due to the now appalling weather outside. Blustery wind, rain lashing, choppy waters. Gotta love A British Summer. Consistently inconsistent.
We get a cab to the venue which is late due to demand and traffic. Get there and the clock is ticking and our chips have been unbagged. A quick cuff and Dan and I exchange good lucks. I sit down at my table and don't recognise anyone apart from a chap I met yesterday called Tejinder who seemed like a really nice guy. Stacks wise there's one youngish kid to my left who obv plays online and has over 100k. No one else has stacks and we have a few shorties. Kid to my left is playing every hand. He opens and shows Aces.
Q
Very next hand he opens again to 2600 at 600/1200. We'll soon put a stop to this. I have Q10ss and even though he's opened from early I wanna let him know I'm here. I 3 bet to 6125. It folds to him. He's counting out chips. errrr you're supposed to fold mate. I'm the Captain of this poker table.
Eighteen Thousand Five Hundred. Ai Ai Captain. I tank fold. I did consider shoving. I always do tbh. I always wanna 3/4/5/6 bet and this actually wasn't a bad hand or spot to do it in. I decide to give up on this occasion though. "U wanna see?" He says confidently. Bollox. He has air. Cocky git! Go on then show me whippersnapper. He flips kings. PHEW! I smile and say I mucked AQ but warn him, when we get into a pot if I'm not winning I'll get there. He just laughs.
The table is very passive and my new mate is taking full advantage of the situatiion by opening 116% of all unopened pots. I am glad I'm on his left but at the same time he's winning all those yummy blinds and antes. I will let him for a bit though. Like tikay I'll be patient. Matey opens for the umteenth time in mid position and I call hi jack with QJ green. Here goes....
Flop is T99 one green. He c bets for 3700. I can call here but I raise to 9100. One cos I like my hand on this board and I know he's gonna be c betting this board a ton and finally I can decide what to do on the turn rather than call/call/fold I can raise/bet and possibly bet river as a bluff. He confirms with dealer how much it is and calls. I don't know whether he's being stubborn with Ace high or has a hand.
Turn is a green 7 so the board is now
and I have
. So I load the gun and fire 16,600 with around 30 behind. I've made my mind up that I'm not bet folding so this could be it however I'm sure he gives up a lot on this turn so when he announces "I'm all in" I'm like olweihfoweijhfowjif but I call.
"I've not got much" I say
"Neither have I"
My overcards are live I think! "Well you're winning" I say as I flip my hand over
He grimaces and flips
River pairs the 7 and I win a 150kish pot with Q high. That's how we do it! I chip up to around 180k and then swing back to 140. However it won't be long before me and matey clash again.....