Thanks 2 everyone that checked my entry out for the @RankingHero competition and liked it. http://t.co/ypw3k5cEsR it's not 2 late to enter!
30 Aug 2015A longish but easy journey I'm here at Aspers! Got to love that Docklands Light Railway!
A short walk out of the station and there's only one building in my sights:-
It's Super 88 today and I'm looking to take this down.
I stroll in past the roulette tables, dodging the chips flying through the air as the guy that just hit his 'lucky' 21 (for the first time in 200 spins!) lands back down on the floor.
I buy in and am escorted to my seat, just in time... play is about ready to start.
I sit down, in a great mood happy to be playing and soaking up the atmosphere.
“Hello gentlemen! Good luck” I announce.
I don't know what it is with poker but it always brings out that decent civilised side when we talk, why is that?
"Nice Hand sir."
"Hello Gentleman."
"Unlucky sir."
Sometimes I feel like I'm straight out of a Victorian novel. But it's worth it. That touch of class with the table banter. Nice.
Well...
At least that's what me and the ONE other person on the whole table that akknowledged I even exist thinks.
I glance around at the other seven empty faces as the the words "shuffle up and deal" echo around the 100+ tables.
Middle position squints over his pitch black "tinted" glasses and just about manages to read his cards, casually making it 3bbs.
It folds to me.
On the button
with 8♦8♣.
I call.
Flop comes 8♥9♥A♠
I feel my heart starting to race and try to act normal, I do my best to look slightly bored as I glance over to my opponent in Middle position.
"ALL IN" he says.
I better get this right. My whole tournament life might be on the line.
Let's analyse the hand: -
(expand for full screen)
I make a super disciplined fold and inwardly give myself a high five for being such a pro.
There will be better spots over the next couple of days, I'm certain of it.
Skilful 2 Sep 2015
Thanks @Mark Duguid my gut instinct was fold, and ONLY because I have been in this spot and really got it drilled into me by my coach in the last few weeks, in less extreme examples (without a set but with hands I figured to be in front of villians value range) I used to always discount the equity the draws have in my mind.
My thought process use to be: I have likely the best hand here. He either has a worse hand or he's drawing so I'm getting it in.
Now I think what combined equity does his drawing range and his value range have vs my hand. So if I had answered this competition a month ago, my gut instinct would have probabally been different.
Mark Duguid 2 Sep 2015
Thanks for your reply and best of luck
Skilful 2 Sep 2015
Thanks, you too Mark
Here are my online poker nuggets
Skilful 26 Aug 2015
Thanks Elena!
Arty Mcfly 27 Aug 2015
Good stuff. "Have fun!" is especially important I think.
Skilful 28 Aug 2015
Thanks Arty!
Elena RKH 25 Aug 2015
and for Online?