Coin Flips And Amateurs

Blog Watchers,

What's going on everyone, how are you all doing tonight? I just went to dinner with the moms, and it was amazing. W went to P.F Changs as a going away dinner considering that come Sunday, I am taking the 2.5 hour drive down to Bloomington/Normal to start classes soon. I came back tonight and logged on to Pokerstars to play a 180 $4 Sit-n-Go. I played a heads up match earlier today which I won. The guy wanted to end it ASAP. Usually when I encounter players like that I play as slow as possible. I try to stretch it out so that they make the mistakes not me. But he asked for a quick match and I gave it to him, getting it All-In with JJ vs. KT. No King came and I took it down. I also played in a single table Sit-n-Go and came in 3rd. The guy in the 8 seat was the pure definition of a luck box. He hit ever draw, won ever coin flip and hit the elusive runner runner flush to knock me out in 3rd place.

Anyway....back to the 180. I was playing really go although short stack for mostly the whole tournament. I don't mind playing short stack, makes my plays very straight forward and I don't have to worry about losing position, only gaining. I made an AMAZING CALL at the 50/100 level. I had about 3500 and a guy limped from MP and the SB (Small Blind) called the 100 more. I was in the BB (Big Blind) with 10-3 so I checked. Flop came K-K-2...and it checked around. A 3 came on the turn, putting a flush draw on the board and it gave me two pair. I still checked around because I was still scared considering someone might have been slow playing a K on the flop. Sure enough it checks around and an 8 came on the river putting the third heart on the board. The SB checks and I think I have the best hand, or can represent me hitting the 8 so I bet 200 into 300. The MP limper folds and then the SB thinks for a couple seconds, then raises me to 700. I really thought I had the best hand. If he had a K he would have bet on the Turn to chase away any flush draw and if he hit the 8 or heart on the river, he would have bet out on the river. It was possible he could have been slow playing a big hand, but HIGHLY unlikely considering the previous action. I called just to see his hand and he showed T-9 for a bluff. I feel real confident about my play lately and I feel a big win coming soon. Nothing life changing, but I do think will have a big boost to my online bankroll.

I ended up busting out in roughly 25 place. I got all my money in with about 9BB holding AK. There were two limpers from MP and the one limper on a short stack called with 88. The classic coin flip with your tournament life on the line. I came out on the short end and did not make the money. I don't think he should have limped with 88, but either way I was going to get it All-In. I am waiting for when I win those crucial coin flips and that's why I say I am feeling a big win soon. I am not winning coin flips with over cards, and I am certainly not winning them with pairs.

Feel free to leave me a comment and tell me what ya think of my play. If you need any more information about anything at all. Also, if your ever on Pokerstars look me up and say hi....sn: YaniG.

Keep Grinding
Dave