Poker, Poker, Poker

I crushed my weekly poker game this past week. I took the chip lead early and never let it go. For the most part I stayed true to the rules that I've laid out for myself and didn't get involved in any unnecessary battles. The win gave me a much needed boost in confidence.

On Sunday I met some friends in Atlantic City and learned that 2/4 limit hold 'em isn't the game for me. The problem that I've found with low stakes limit is that most of the tools that a player has at his disposal in no limit just can't be used in limit. The size of your bet is limited and if someone is on a draw of any kind it is going to be next to impossible to bet them out of the pot. I had been told that 2/4 limit was a different game than no limit, but I just had to learn for myself (for a small donation to my opponents and the casino of course).

Later that night I played in a no limit tournament and had a great time. I had felt uncomfortable the whole time at the limit table, but as soon as I sat down at the tournament table I felt completely comfortable. I knew this game.

The starting field was 145 players. I played a tight game, won a few hands, picked the right time to steal blinds and held right around the starting chip count for most of my tournament time.

At level 3, the blinds were 200/400 with a $75 ante. I was down to around 3,500 and called from late position with 4/5 diamonds. The flop came 2-3-J. Checked to me I moved all-in. I was on an open-ended draw and felt that it was a risk that I had to take. One player called and showed A/J. I ended up missing my straight and was left with a little over 600 in chips. I moved all-in a few hands later with 10/2 un-suited and lost to a set of Jacks.

I finished way out of the money but didn't feel bad about the loss. I played the game exactly the way I had planned on and gained some valuable table experience. I look forward to my next trip down.