Poker Entry No. 8

April 2, 2005
Players: 23
Entry Fee: $25
Rebuys: N/A
Place: 4th
Winnings: $0

This story and lesson could be the worst I have ever had to put myself through. It is the most amazing call on my part, and I don't mean amazing in a good way.
The tournament was at Steed's. The blinds went slow enough and the stack was large enough to play with. It was set up quite well and I will definitely be returning for another game if it is kept the same way. My mistake was against Brian Simmons early in the tournament.
I was second in chips and had a good table image. This image was helped by Josh Bishop and Brian Simmons who have played with me before. They know I am a solid player who plays good cards or has some reason to be in the pot. The hand in question was as follows:
I was in a middle position with A-K offsuit. I knew someone was going to raise behind me (it was that kind of table) so I decided to call and re-raise when it came around again. Two more behind me called and then Brian raised from the small blind. He raised $200, with blinds being $20-40. A raise that made me think I could beat him if I hit my hand. The two in between Brian and me folded and I re-raised another $800. I was going for a large re-raise to either win the hand right there or create a large enough pot to give me pot odds for draws. The two behind me folded and Brian called after thinking for a few seconds.
The flop came 5-4-5 rainbow. Brian came out betting $500. I raised without hesitation. I made it $2,000 to go. He had to think about it for a few seconds but eventually called. The turn was a 6. There were two suited cards, but I wasn't worried about that at all. Brian checked quickly and I checked.
That was my first mistake in this hand. Brian had about $2,600 left and I had about $2,850. I should have gone all in on the turn. I knew he wasn't too proud of his hand. If I had gone all in on the turn I am almost positive he would have folded.
The river came with a Queen. Brian thought for a few seconds and then bet $1,000. I thought for about fifteen seconds going over the hand in my head. I asked how much he had left and he said $1,600. Would he go all in with his single pair hand. He didn't have a five, six or Queen. I couldn't see him having a four, even with the possible A-4 suited. Honestly I put him on pocket 3's. I'm not sure why that hand popped out in my mind.
I told myself either fold or go all in. Then my mind left me. It literally exited my head, went to the kitchen and grabbed a sandwich. That is the only explanation I can come up with because I didn't fold or raise. I called! Why did I call? I only have a pair of fives with A-K-Q kicker. He has to have that beat.
Come to find out he did. He flipped over pocket 2's and said, "You probably have me." I sadly had to reply, "No... no I don't." What in the name of all that is good and pure was I thinking?
Lesson: When holding Ace high, don't call. It is the worst possible move you can make.