Late night poker at the MGM

While I wait for the 2007 WSOP day 2 event, I’ve been playing at the MGM. At the 2-5 no limit tables, there’s been at least 1 WSOP player, and as many as 4 on one table. So it’s no cake walk but we’re all after the tourists. They keep reaching into their pockets for more money. Delish.

Today, a shark sat to my left so I had to move seats 2 times.  Actually, I think he realized I was trying to trap him so I don’t think he minded me moving.  Almost anybody that was live straddling (where you bet double the big blind before the cards are dealt and get to act last) would pump it up to $60 or so to get all the money.  On one hand, there was a straddle and I woke up with pocket aces.  I wanted to trap the straddler, so I limped in.

Unfortunately, the straddler does not raise and now I have 5 players going to the flop. Oh well. I know how to get away from this hand if needed. The flop is A – J – blank with two <diamond> s.  I check my set, and there’s a bet of $40 and a call. Normally, I would pump it up here with the flush draw and straight draw but since I played this hand so weird, I decided to simply call, hoping that no <diamond> comes or paint.

This hand is going down the drain as 9 <diamond> comes on the turn. Check, check, and the last guy only bets $60. Clearly, he has the flush and wants to get a caller. The other guy folds. I do have the Ace <diamond> and he made it cheap to suck more money out of me, and I call.

The river brings another 9, giving me the dream boat. The only problem to solve here is how much to bet. He doesn’t have the nut flush because I have the ace, so he can’t call all-in. The pot is big enough that he should be able to call $200 but I play conservative and bet $120. He thinks for only a short time and calls with a Q high flush.

So a hand that went down the drain, came back to life this time. I don’t think I’ll be getting that cute again anytime soon though.

On a side note, Ramus, the Danish guy that I met at the MGM told me that he got knocked out at the ESPN table playing against Chris Moneymaker. He said being on TV was nerv wracking and made him nervous. I can only imagine.  I’ll watch him on TV when the show goes on ESPN.