Sunday, 14 December 2008

One hundred and eighty !

I was watching the darts the other day on the BBC - it took me back to University days. In those days it was darts, pool and video games (proper video games, not like today's nonsense) that were the distractions from study. I can only speculate what it would be like today with the Internet and poker !

However, in this instance, I am speaking of 180 runners rather than a perfect throw.

Pokerstars have Sit-n-go tournaments at various stakes that start when 180 people sign up. It is breathtaking how quickly they do fill up! I am not really a SnG player, but these are really proper MTTs but with instant gratification - no waiting around till the particular time that your MTT of choice starts.

Also, with 180 runners instead of 2,000 - 20,000+ you obviously have a better chance of a really big finish, and the run time is dramatically shorter. On the other hand, the prizes are obviously less.

I knew about these tourneys, but I was reminded by someone I spoke to at The International the other day. I imagine they are good fodder for the MTT grinders.

So, I signed up for a $12 turbo. I was soon out when I hit a set with 77 and check-raised the Ace-high flop against one opponent who was the UTG limper. I was called, and called again on the turn. The river seemed to be a total blank so I pushed to make sure I got paid. He called, having made the wheel with his 4-3suited ..... He had a gutshot on the flop and went all the way to the river with it against strong action. Wow!

Hmmm ... out 152nd, 142th, 144th and 88th in the ones I entered until on my last attempt, I won !

Even with only 180 runners, the payoff for winning is a pretty useful $594.

You can see a full replay of the event from my point of view here. I'm sure I played many of the hands differently from how many of you would ! Would love to hear any hand comments that you may have.

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