Small Things Make a Big Difference 


I've noticed when I play in tournaments especially, I try to play as perfect as possible it seems the tiniest mistake can make the biggest difference. 

Ended up playing the $100+25 w/optional $100 rebuy limit hold'em event. While I don't play as many limit hold'em tournaments, I happen to be very successful in them. We start with 700 in chips and can rebuy at any time before the break for another 700. At the break I have 1800 in chips which includes a rebuy. For the most part I play a patient game picking my spots to put my money in. The key to success in a limit hold'em tourney is if you're going to be in the hand til the river, you must win that pot. Usually you only have enough chips to bet one hand all the way to the river. For the most part I won pots I was involved in to the river. There were also a handful of pots I stole which may seem tough to do at limit but my table was pretty easy to read and there were no loose-aggressive players.

It always seems at the late stages in a tournament is where I hit a wall. Tournament had 275 players and we're down to the last 5 tables. I'm getting short on chips with about 3k left at the 300/500 500/1000 level. I'm in early position with AQo and make it 1k to go. Real loose/doesn't know what he's doing but catching cards player calls and the big blind ends up calling. I was hoping the big blind would go out so I can go heads up but now I'm sandwiched. Flop is T 4 2 with 2 spades. I have the Qs. Normally I'd bet here heads up but being in the middle I check to super lucky guy. It gets checked around. Turn is a Ts. Big blind bets and I put him on taking a stab at the pot. I have 2100 left so if I call here I have to call the river and if I lose I only have one 100 chip left. Now this is where I messed up. If I put the guy on taking a stab at the pot then I should have raised especially since he was also short stacked. I ended up just calling and the river was a 7 for a board of 2 4 T T 7. Big blind bet again and I make a crying call. BB turns over A7o and my head just drops knowing I screwed up. A raise on the turn would definitely force the BB to fold as there is no way he can call with A7. If I win that pot I'm back in it but a couple hands later I am out.

Next time I'll just have to make sure I take care of all the little things. 

Posted: Mon - April 4, 2005 at 04:47 AM          

©