Crimes against the Powerhouse

After registering for the $1,500 (just in time it turns out: I was in at about 8:45pm on the day before and forgot to ask how many runners, but was told it maxed out before 10pm that evening), I had to play a little cash.

I bumped into Alex E who showed me around the action: sick tables at the $50k HORSE (Hansen, Huck Seed, Seidel next to each other with Antonius and Chau Giang also on the table); mega-busy STT sat action (and Alex's patented tip of going backwards through the queue); 5-5 PLO that Alex reckons was a "good game"; but I opt to play safe with $2/5 NLH.

The cash at the Rio is generally reckoned to be soft and I will be disappointed if I am a net loser at the end of the trip.Today's table seemed to be playing quite passively as usual (except for the opening raises to 25 or 30 the action pre tends to be passive). The players were not button-straddling either which imo means they are not totally on their game.

I decided to sit down with a full $500 and advanced this pretty quickly to $800 by just barrelling really.

Standard stuff: 83o on the button, raise and call a min-raise from a tight/weak player in the BB after one other caller in between. Flop 8-4-4 with two hearts. BB bets 60 into 120 or so (obviously looking to be raised off his hand). The other fella calls and both of them are seen off by a pop to $200.

I had drifted back a bit when I get my first powerhouse 5h2c and make it $20 from the cut-off, called by the button and the BB. Flop Kc6h2d . I bet $40, called twice. The turn is 5d. BB checks again, and I bet $100 for value (possibly a bit small in hindsight). The Button calls (again) and now the BB check-raises to $200.

Huh ?I am not sure what to make of this. If the intention was to confuse, he succeeded. No hand makes sense for this action. I was a bit worried on the flop that they are trapping with a set (only because I have seen both players slow play a set).

If either player has a set (666 being the most likely) then I would have expected a raise from the button and if the bb has a set then surely he must c/r all in at this stage.

Although a set doesn't really make sense I don't want to put all my money in dead so I elect to just call and await developments. The button calls as well !

So $600 has gone in on this turn. Presumably at least one of them has a diamond draw so I think I can easily get away from a diamond river. The river is 8h and the BB immediately shoves for $450. He has me covered, but the button has more behind.

Hmm ... I have the lowest hand that isn't one pair.

I cannot think what hand makes sense for the BB. I am not worried about a straight, but I am beating a bluff only, really. Except I am beating AK but how can he have AK ?

He's betting into two players for 100bb and we have shown interest in the pot on all streets. He is sort of shaking which I assume means he is bluffing or has a monster (set of 6s would be a monster here and this is what I put him on really despite the illogical bets).

I decide not to be a hero but when the button folds Kd9d face up, the blind shows AsKh.

OMG ! I folded the powerhouse 2pair getting 3-1 on the river. I cannot believe what I have done and instead of having $1,600 I am back to $375.

Looking back. I think I should go for the textbook interpretation of min-riase=bluff and knowing there are draws out there, push all in on the check-raise. May even get two callers and scoop a monster. Button has played his hand like what it is really and you can see what he was up to with position and plenty of chips behind. I let the BB off big style though with my disguised hand.

Please, please, do not let me commit such a crime again. I can only put it down to first-day nerves.

After this, obviously I titled off my money - in the last pot of the night I was down to $150 and saw a 6way flop with Q9dd. Flop J96hh.

Check/check/ I shove for $135. button calls me with 9c5c(!). 5 on the river and I call it a night.

Need to try to get some sleep before the $1,500 tomorrow.