Hawaiian Tournament

A few weeks ago, I went to a poker tournament at Hawaiian Gardens which was a $340 buy-in with no rebuys. I don’t normally play there but I like this particular tournament because you start with 3,000 chips and there’s no rebuys.  I didn’t do very well in the tournament but there was one interesting hand for me that went like this:

Cochinoman Player
Flop Turn River

I raised from middle position with pocket 4s. Only the button called me. I flopped middle set and came out betting $650 into a pot of about $800. The player flat called me with the nuts. I didn’t think there was any way that he had the straight with 3-5 because he called my pre-flop raise so I put him on an overpair to the board. He must have gotten a boner when he saw the flop. When you call a raise with 3-5, that’s a dream flop.

But next, the board paired with the 2 [heart] which gave me a full house. I didn’t even realize that I sucked out on him. Anyway, I didn’t want to scare him off so I checked and he bet only $500. At this point, I wasn’t sure if he was betting small hoping for me to come over the top (because he had a monster), or because he didn’t like the board pairing. I made a comment about the strange bet and flat called.

The river brought my dream card giving me quads. As I started to think about how much I should bet to get a call, the player went all-in out of turn. As the dealer started telling him that he bet out of turn, I quickly called his all-in. The player took back his bet and the dealer had to call the floorman, who ruled in my favor. It was a nice double up early in the tournament. In hind sight, I guess he went all-in out of turn as a defensive bet, hoping I wouldn’t be able to call.

Unfortunately, a few hands later, a lady with AQ went all in when the ace flopped, which I called with my AK. But then got her Q on the river and took a bunch of my chips.

I returned to this tournament again yesterday and got further but still didn’t make the money. My friend Cheryl was also playing and we busted out almost exactly at the same time. During the break, she and I talked about Arial Clark who we both knew from Caribe Casino who died in a car accident with his producer/director father Bob Clark. Ariel was so talented and taken so early. He’ll be missed by many.

About the Author

Cochinoman
Regarding my poker background, I’ve been playing since 2003 (yes, the Moneymaker factor), and have won several small tournaments, and have cashed at the main event of the World Series of Poker. I also play cash games at local casinos and sometimes at home games.

1 Comment on "Hawaiian Tournament"

  1. Last week I played in the 4:30am Tournament. (late Saturday) Early Sunday am. It was so fun! Great staff, great tournament host, very knowlegable. Answered all of my question and made a perfect decision at my table. 44 players played. The Prize pool was $4100 for a $65 buyin. Although I didn’t quite make the money. I had so much fun playing. Had some friendly, talkative players at my table. Oh the best part was the $1.00 breakfast special. I guess they have a special every week. Last week it was a ham and cheese bagel sandwich, potatoe wedges bacon, fresh fruit (grapes, pineapple, melon, strawberry) and to topped if off to help you stay awake a red bull. All for a buck. My friend and I will play this week. Actually I had a friend recommend this tournament. I kind of new to tournaments and dont want to play againts a huge field. I guess usally around 40 to 55 players. :) see you there!! Mike the Iceman. When you see me ask me why I have this nickanme and I will tell you the funniest story every. Update… 0n Feb 28th 4:30am they had 61 players a whopping $5650 prize pool for a $65 buyin. First place was over $2200. Simply awesome tournament staff.

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