August 2 – “All in the game yo. All in the game.”
I shot down I-95 to Maryland Live last night for some 2/5 action, and had a pretty smooth night. It was all in the game - some hero calling, some bluffing, some big hands.
Early on was my only bump in the road, when I got it in with AK and a backdoor flush draw on an 8 high flop and got there with running hearts. I 3bet and cbet and when the villain jammed I was getting 2.5-to-1 and didn’t think he had AA/KK or a set, based on our banter, so I had to call.
Hand No. 1
There’s a straddle and two limps and I make it $50 with A
A
. It’s my second raise in like two hours at the table, so four people call.
Flop ($259): Q
9
8
Three checks to me, I bet $120 and there’s one check-call. The villain kind of looks like Eugene Levy, the father in American Pie. He just ran KK into AA for $800 so he may be a little tilted, but he’s not showing it too much.
Turn ($499): 5
He checks and I think and bet $250. He calls quickly.
River ($999): 3
He thinks and moves all-in for $375. I read him as weak, tank and call. He shows K
Q
and I’m good.
Later, we had a very similar situation arise when I had KK on a Q high board where one straight draw got there and he bombed the river – I had the same read and called and was right again.
Hand No. 2
I limp 3
3
. There are three other limps and the BB raises to $40. He’s got like $1000+ behind so I call.
Flop ($96): A
J
8
He bets $65 and I call.
Turn ($226): 9
He checks so quick I don’t even notice, and I’m staring at him waiting and the dealer tells me it’s on me. I bet $160. He tanks and calls.
River ($546): 4
He checks, I bet $350 and he tanks for a couple minutes and folds, and claims AK.
Total Result: +$2,325 in 5 hrs, 28 minutes ($19 in tips)