GES Day 24: Warming Up

Back to the virtual felt for one tournament yesterday, and I tried to focus as much as possible in prep for this weekend.  I guess it worked, though once again I got lucky in a couple spots.  I ended up finishing third in the 27 person tournament, good for 1080 off my 250 buy-in.

I do remember one hand in particular: pocket queens, pre-flop raise got two callers.  I flopped quads, and now what do I do?  I bet, but not too high, and got one person to call.  All the while I was hoping that the board would show a flush draw, and while I didn't get that, the turn was an ace.  First to act, I shoved all-in, and the guy snap-called with A/K.  I took the hand, and it set me up for my run to the final table.

So, I guess I played it well.  I also feel like that hand showed what I have learned to a certain extent, because in the past, I would have either shoved after the flop, or slow-played with a check - nothing in the middle.  I think by doing what I did (pre- and post-flop raises, followed by the turn shove) I was representing A/Q.  If that's what my opponent thought, he shouldn't have called, but he might have put me on A/lower, in which case the call was a good move.

Playing: 1.25 hours
Reading: 1 article on Caro's site, which was interesting because it talked about drinking while playing.  It actually went along with what I have experienced, that 1-2 drinks helps.  In his case he was talking about table image (you should drink to give the appearance of drinking and therefore being a loose player, but not so much you are drunk and you actually are).  In my case, I have found that 1-2 drinks helps me loosen up and not take the game so seriously, and take some chances I really should take.  Kind of the same effect, but in a positive manner.  Not that I am going to start drinking every time I play.

10k Update: 1.25 online, 82.75 total online, 217 total hours

The previously mentioned TS weekend is now just a couple days away.  In an interesting coincidence, the Empire State Poker Championships are this weekend, and there will be a film crew there putting together material for a new show, Poker Night in America.  The only downside is that the regular poker room schedule may be screwed up (no daily tournaments), and with so many extra people around, it may be hard to get a seat in a cash game.  We shall see.