The hand from my view:
Pre flop
A limp from the guy on the button. Never played against him before, but since I sat down at the table, I've seen him make some poor moves, but he's also got a decent stack. He starts playing with his chips before flat calling. Mmmm... I'm now thinking he's either got an absolute monster (AA, KK etc.), or he's got some sort of drawing hand (J10 suited maybe). I look down, find XX (I'll post what the XX is later), make up the blinds and Tightend checks on the BB. At this point I don't put Tighty on much of a hand, as he's made several all-in moves in the previous few hands.
Flop
Comes down ace-9-9. I check, Tighty checks and the button dwells for a few seconds, then checks. Now I'm still unsure about TE's hand (could be anything), but am now thinking he doesn't have an ace. Not sure what hand the button has - could still be the pre-flop monster AA or KK.
Turn
A 3 on the turn. Again I check. TE checks. Button has another dwell, but checks. I noticed TE starred at the button before checking. This could mean several things, but I keep it in mind. Again the button could be trapping with the made house (aces over 9's) or big two pair (KK 99).
River
The second A on the river. I check and TE bets 2k into a 1.8k pot. My brain's now thinking... "what hand can TE have that can possibly justify the 2K bet?...". The button is still to act and I'm sure TE has the same read as me about the button's possible hands. He obviously thinks the button is weak having checked both the flop and turn. Now I'm waiting for the button to act.
The button passes. Bingo! So the button didn't have a monster all along and TE's read is correct. So, what does TE have? Don't put him on the A. If he had an A with a big kicker he would have made a play pre-flop. Maybe he has an A with a small/medium kicker? I ruled this out because he knows the button's checked the flop and TE has not bet on the turn to find out where he is.
But TE did have a look at the button on the turn. I didn't think he had a 9. As some posters have already said, TE has checked both the flop and the turn. I think he's making a play for the pot. My two options are to fold or to move in for the pot (which is now 3.8k). I move all-in and have TE covered in chips. A few reason for this move:
1. I've played with TE on many occasions and know he's a very accomplished player.
2. The button's passed.
3. My actual hand is immaterial now.
TE thinks for a while before finally folding the 93o face up.
I made it onto the final table third in chips. The chip leader had already knocked at two players in quick sucession during the first round, and is playing very loose. This is how I got knocked out: all pass, CL raised on the button, SB passes and I look down on the BB and find AhQh. I move-in (I'm going for the win and looking to double up). CL calls instantly with Ac7c. Nice... I'm well ahead! Board comes blank-7-blank-blank-blank. Fantastic(!)
My hand in the TE pot was 55.
bugger.
an object lesson in how to trap yourself, from my point of view
an object lesson in how to thieve a pot from you!
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