Five Alive

After my satisfying-yet-annoying 2nd place in the £50 freezeout the previous week, I was keen to try again. As things stood, I had a record of 3 final tables from 4 appearances in this particular tournament - too good to last really, but I was of course looking to make it 4 out of 5.

Things started well in a short session of cash hold'em before the off. After making a little headway in a £1/1 game, I had a nice win in the £1/2 game that kicked off. Firstly, with AK in the straddle, I bumped it up to get a caller from the small blind only, who had raised pre flop.

The flop was no particular help (9 high rainbow) but when it was checked to me I pushed. Since I was called, I guess I was losing then, but a King on the river sorted things out.

After that, I was dealt pocket Kings twice and on the first occasion got all in vs AT. On the second occasion, I flopped top set after re-raising to £40 pre-flop and picked up the pot on the turn.

So, with a healthy profit banked, it was time for the £50 freezeout. There was a record turnout (there was a considerable queue at the registration desk as 8pm came around). 81 runners is a high watermark for The International so far, although I suspect the record will only last a few weeks (quite possibly only one week).

I resolved to keep out of trouble. Not necessarily easy as my first table was absolutely stuffed with Gutshot/International "faces". I advanced my 5,000 chips to 7,000 with a slow-played pair of Aces. I had limped (50/100) pre flop expecting a raise but, when that didn't come, the 944 flop wasn't too bad. I called 300 on the turn and then raised the 650 river bet (944-K-T) to 1,500 which was paid off. I am slowly getting better at value betting I think. The player making the action was in the blinds so he could have a 4, of course, but it didn't look like he did.

On the whole I was observing the action rather than participating. I was somewhat awed by a hand that played out between Lee Boys and Joel. On a flop of T63, Lee bet 600, to face a raise to 1,900 from Joel. After a long dwell, Lee shoved and then EVENTUALLY Joel called with 77. Lee showed JT which was good.

Our table, after losing a couple of players, now contained 4 players from the top10 money list at The International. Time to be careful, especially since I had a last-longer with Barry. My new-found conservatism caused a bit of a stir when I folded AJ-suited UTG accidentally flipping up my hand. The table couldn't believe it !

I fold KT on a 77T flop - I had made up the small blind and could well have been winning, but I didn't want to go bust out of position with one pair.

So it was that at the 200/400 level, with about 2/3rd of the filed remaining, I had average chips of 7,700. I paid my blinds then with 7,100 left was on the button.

Rob Lee limped under the gun. A new player to the table was next to act - he had over 20k. He raised to 1,600. Not quite sure what to put him on, I peek at my cards. Pocket Kings !

OK. A few options, but I opt to push for 7,100. Sven behind me says "pocket Kings again?" referring to the cash action earlier I think.

"I can't comment". Sven is short-stacked on 2,400 so he puts his life on the line with Ace-Jack.

Back to the EP raiser. He asks for a count. 5,500 more. After a short debate with himself, he calls. Obviously I am winning but I am surprised to see him show 89-diamonds. That's not a bad hand to hold against a big overpair I guess but he's still got a lot of catching up to do. An 8 on the flop and a 9 on the river does the job.

I am not happy ! The only good thing is that clearly I did nothing wrong here. I did wonder whether my quick shove led the raiser to conclude I had AK in which case his 89 is in better shape. However, even if that is what happened, the fact is I managed to get all my chips in as a big favourite and that is what you hope for.

Well 3 out of 5 still isn't bad but if my hand holds up there, then on 17k or so I would have hloped to make another good run at the money.

Next live tournament will probably be the £300 on 31st January - hopefully I am due some luck for that one.