A New Year

Well, it was the first game of the new year. I've been back in Colorado two weeks and hadn't done anything but work, clean and grocery shop. I decided I needed a break so on Saturday morning I made the 90 minute trip up to Black Hawk. I parked at the Isle beacuse that's the only casino I have a players card for. I got there about 1pm and the place was buzzing. I'd guess 75% of the slot machines had someone seated at them and maybe haf of the table games were full. I made the trek through the casino and up the escalator to the poker room. Checked in at the desk and looked into the room and found... nothing. All the tables were empty. Not a sole in the room. I don't know my way around Black Hawk yet so I made my way back the way I came In hopes of finding another casion that actually had a game going. I wound up at the Lady Luck, found the poker room and got the last seat (2 tables) at 2-10 limit.

I was looking for a 2-100 game (effectively NL) and I didn't realize this was played more like a limit game than a NL game. In a lot of cases you can't bet players off a draw with just a $10 bet into a $30+ pot. On the other hand, I found myself getting the right pot odds to make a lot of $10 calls to make my draws. Of course they never came.

The most interesting hand of the night was my last hand. I had planned on playing 3-4 hours and heading home. At this point I was playing 10+ hours and kicking myself for not quitting while I was ahead. I guess I was down to about $60 of my original $200 and picked up AJo UTG. I was playing pretty tight so I tought if I raised I'd get no action so I limped. a couple of players behind limped then the button popped it to $7. I called and I think one player behind called. The flop came 66A and I led out for $10, one fold and the button called. I figured the button for a weak A or a pocket pair. The turn was a J. Sweet. Now I'm thinking I got the best hand so I lead out again for $10 but this time the button raises me $10 more. I now think this is where I should have put him on a 6 or something stronger than my top two, but I was desperate to win a pot, so I called. I guess I was hoping he had something like AK or AQ. The river of dreams.... another Ace. Now I've got the nuts, or thought I did. I played it sneaky, check to the button, he bet, I raised all-in for my last $10. Button called.

Starting Monday (two days after this game) the Lady Luck poker room begins its bad beat promotion. I think it is any hand AAA88 or better that loses at show down gets something like $1000. The player on the button turned over 66 for flopped quads. I grabbed my coat and steamed home.

I knew I was behind most of the hand, yet I kept putting money in the pot in hope that I would suck out on the turn or river. What I didn't know was that I drawing nearly dead on the flop. I'm just not good enough to lay down big hands.