T22

Online tournament in friends league. $12 Buy-in. I was short stacked throughout, from fear of not cashing and not getting enough points to finish the league in the championship money pool.

Fear does not a good companion in poker make. From 8 down to four players, I was in the red zone, less than x10 the BB; I was on the big blind and had one limper, looked down at K7. Nothing to get excited about, I checked.

Flop came A 7 7. I checked, villain bet 250 - small for him, big for me. I briefly considered continuing the slow play charade, then I realized, I only would have 3/4 of my stack left if I just called. I also hoped he had an ace and would call my all-in bet. I moved, he insta-called.

Guess what spiked on the turn. Ace. Buh-bye. That's poker.

Overall I wasn't too disgusted with my play, there was quite a bit of aggressive betting, especially in the second half of the tourney from the eventual winner and the villain from my suckout. I tried to pick moments to steal, but was only successful with micro-pots. I bet off a fair amount of my stack without getting any return.

Normally I'm one of the more aggressive players in this group. I have a fairly tight reputation established with these guys, and I've used it to great advantage to accumulate chips from position in the first half of these tourneys without particularly great cards.

Next week, I resolve to lose the timidity that afflicted me this time around. I don't need to risk a big chunk of my chips, but I don't want to stop firing when I'm in position and people are checking it down.

Three games left, I'm holding on to second place on the leaderboard by a thread. With any luck the big leader will go all in with top pair big kicker against a set like he did this week again; then all I need is for two other usual non-factors (like this weeks winner) to be in the top three along with me. I'd prefer first of course, but I'm not too greedy.

This Saturday, a No Limit Omaha/8 tournament at my house. Crazy I know, but they do play it like that online. Expecting about 10 guys. Hoping I can finally break my at home tourney curse. Stay tuned for a report.