Rileys Series of Poker.

[SuperTyke]

Rileys (in Barnsley) have been running a tournament for the last four weeks every Wednesday evening. The buy in is £11, and it usually attracts between 18-25 players. I've played three out of the four weeks, and have finished 14th. 8th and 7th. It pays to 3rd place.

The field is a real mixed back ranging from loose fish, to a few disciplined strong players. I've been unlucky the last two times, finishing 8th, I shoved UTG + 1 with KK for 14,000 (blinds were 500 and 1000) only to receive a call from another short stack possessing A2os (See what I mean about the loose fish). He spiked an Ace on the river and sent me packing.

This week, I went out in 7th. Again, playing some solid, steady poker without really seeing my chipstack getting massively big. Final table, I'd just doubled up after shoving for 6250 with AA and got a call by the chip leader who had 44. Next hand, UTG + 1 (again!)...woman UTG raises to 3000 (blinds 800 + 1600). I'd seen her raising all night and she had a fair wad of chips in front of her. I'd also seen her turn over some mediocre hands, ranging from K5s to ATos. So looking down at AJos, I felt fairly confident that I could take down the pot with a strong re-raise. So I shoved. The table folded back around to her, and she mulled over the decision of whether to call or not. Approximately another 10,750 for her to call...

...She did.

...She flipped over JTs.

Well, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry as I'm not usually too lucky in these 65% - 35% situations.

Sure enough, the flop came down with a big black 10 in the middle of it. I continued to stare, hoping, just hoping that an Ace would come down next.

Turn card: Another 10.

So, once again, after shoving and leading I had been outdrawn and sent packing.

I feel I made the correct move. I had a good read on her and God only knows how she mustered up the coherence to call my 3 bet shove with JTs. How on Earth did she think she was leading? Still, she won, so fair play to her, but that's the type of play your up against. If I'd have won that, which, like I said, 65% of the time I would've done, I'd have been in contention to take down the tournament.

Summary:

It's hands like this that often get me thinking. Sure, AJ isn't the best starting hand and if I'd had a few more chips, I may well have insta folded, however, the situation couldn't have been any better. Around 10 BB's, into a raise from a notably loose player and a move that really should've forced her to fold, but, after the call, gave me a great chance to double up. Sadly, wasn't to be. You can't think about particular hands in a 'one night' scenario. Sure, you might get AA busted by KK. You might get AKs beat by AQ, in an all in situation, but over a length of time, if you keep making the correct decisions consistently, then you're sure to come out on top.

Good luck at the tables.

Cheers,
ST