Lately I've been putting some effort into poker. For a while I just made an effort when it was time for a game. I've got some books and videos, but really haven't used them. Also several video games. But with all of this, I've been kind of lax. Since I don't really have anyone to talk to on the train for most of the ride and don't really know anyone in the office, I have a lot of time to myself.
A couple weeks ago I updated the software on my Zune media player. With the new software came a way to listen to Podcasts a lot easier. I discovered a couple of poker related Podcasts and started listening to them on the way to work. Also with the update, there are now games. One of them being a Hold 'em game. This all sort of spurred my renewed interest. I started playing the Zune game a lot and the game on the computer.
We also played the home game on 10/4. I really didn't do well on the home game, but it did get the juices flowing. I went to the game in St. Mary's on 10/11 for the first time in a while.
Cindy backed out, so I went by myself. It turned out only 5 people showed up to play. I was hoping for more, but that's life. The players were a younger guy (Josh?), the host Bobbi, and two older guys both named Mike. That made 3 Mike's at table.
Josh bet out big to start with. Everyone folded to him and he picked up the blinds. He did this again the next hand, shoving All-In. But one of the other Mike's called his bet. Josh had Queens and Mike had Kings, Josh lost. He lost the following hand and was done after 3 hands. We offered for him to re-buy, but no, he left. This left 4. I played too loose and got trapped in a few bad hands I shouldn't have played. I was down to about 4 chips. It's not looking good. I get tight, but also get aggressive. I sent all in for my last 550, I have J-5 of hearts. The caller had A-K off suit. But I hit my flush on the turn!
Okay, now I've got a little bit. Next hand, Q-3 off. I checked, flop comes Q-Q-3. Bobbi raised it! I just called. Everyone else folded out. Both checked the turn. Bobbi raised the river, I came over the top, she didn't want that but couldn't get away from the hand at this point. She called, but was crushed. I stole a few blinds and small pots for a while. Shortly I was the chip leader! Bobbi busted out to one of the other guys, this left the Mikes.
A couple hands went by and I look down at 8's. Flop came 3-8-7. I checked it. Then one of the guys pushed all in. I had him covered and called. He didn't want to see that. He had A-K. Hit a King on the turn, but that's it. This left me and the final guy. It went back and forth a couple hands, until he shoved All In. I have A-K and called him. He had J-9 suited. Flop was 5-7-K rainbow. Turn was a 9. River was 3. I won! This is the first tourney win I have had in a LONG time! It didn't pay much, but it beats loosing.
