April poker update

As usual for April, poker play was a bit sporadic, and cash tourneys were few and far between. Ran pretty bad (for me) in World Tavern the first few games after our regional championship - although I can't really complain about my actual play. That usual "play well, don't get results" syndrome.

Went to a home game a couple of weeks ago, and cashed in 2 of the 3 tourneys (30+ in first 2 games, 13 in 3rd game) for neat little profit of $155. Couple that with more than a few Canadian beers, and it was a good night.

Last week, finally saw a turnaround in my World Tavern results...will detail some below.

First game had 38 players, so a nice little 10.5K for first was in play. Started out the first level a little slow, even semi-open folding J-J pre-flop when faced with raises by both tight UTG and tight button players...mad props to me given for laying it down after players in all-in showed K-K and A-A...but really, wasn't terribly hard to put it down there. Got a nice little BB special when my 6-2 flopped trips, and got paid off 2 streets by 2 people. Soon after, took down a huge pot after my slowly-played A-K flopped trip kings against a PF raiser holding A-J who decided to bet 3 streets at me...nice!

Really took off after Q-Q knocked out a player holding A-Q, then proceeded to knock out 3 more players in the next 4 hands before the break...sat at 74K at the break, which is a ridiculous amount to have in this tourney. Played pretty consistent poker for next few levels, and by time of final table merge, sitting at 125K.

Once down to 9, proceeded to either bust out or cripple 6 of the other 8 players, and after a short heads-up period, I scored my first WTP win of this season...only 9 weeks in, ugh.

Second game, yo-yo'd up and down the first hour, including losing half my chips on an A-Q vs A-K hand where my preflop 3-bet with A-Q was called by a loose player holding A-K. A king on flop with a couple of hearts slowed me down considerably after my continuation bet was smooth-called after the flop. Luckily, check-check on next 2 streets saved me some chips...although this paid off for me on the next hand I'll detail out.

Shortly after the break, got A-A UTG at 500/1000 level, and raised to 3500. Old man William thinks about calling me, Loose Lois calls, and we have a 3-way flop. 9-6-J rainbow doesn't scare me, and a bet of 5500 seems right. Lois folds, William thinks for a minute and shoves to put me at risk. Fairly quick call, and William flips over 7-7. No help on turn or river, and William is crippled. I look at him and say, "I think that A-Q hand I had a while back set that play up, didn't it?", which got a smile and a nod from him. Ability to recall prior hands, no matter how far back, is a great thing to do - didn't work out for him this time, but I liked his thinking.

Got down to another final table, and after another roller-coaster run (including flopping a straight with K-Q and having Big Larry bluff-shove me with 4-2 - real tough to play those hands, heh), was on the short-end of a fairly long HU battle with Andy - but I'll happily take a 2nd to go with my 1st. Can never say that I've clinched anything, but I've certainly strengthened my hold on the season points lead - haven't been below first since the first rankings came out after week 4. 2 national championships to play in during November? We'll see!