[rgschackelford]

Hi there,

I'm a little upset with myself right now, not because I lost, but because I think I got myself into a crooked game. Let me describe what happened:

I'm at a hotel, and I was in the hot tub, talking with a few people who were passing through as well. We were talking about tourist spots in the Dakotas, and the Black hills, then we got into discussions about card games. I asked them if they play hold 'em, and they did. One of the guys deals a fake casino, where he says he picked up a lot of stuff from low-limit players. Well, I go up to my room, change, grab some cards and money. The buy-in was only $10, but this is more important than just the money here. I show up, and there are only two of the three going to play, and they brought their own deck. I asked if we were playing with cuts (cuts can slow the action). The first few hands I get junk. One hand, I got KJ, and the guy raised, so I decided, that even three handed the gap concept dictates I fold. I was right, because he was betting pocket tens. We get to one hand, where I had a Q9, and it was raised the minimum by the dealer, the small blind called, and I called (getting 5-to-1 odds on my money). The flop comes J-2-5. The first guy checks, so I decide a probe bet is in order, and fire $1 into the pot ($3). I get one call and a fold. The turn brings a T, so now I have an open ended straight draw, so I semi-bluff $2, and the guy pushes all in for his $3. Getting 9-to-1 odds on my money and about 5-to-1 on my money, I make the call, and he flips up AKo. Now I can win with a K, 8, or 9 (my Q gives him Broadway). I river an 8, and scoop the pot.

I'm playing heads up with this guy, get 77, raise, and he folds. Two hands later, I get QQ. I raise $2, he reluctantly calls. The flop comes A-K-Q, two clubs. Heads up, I've got a monster. I bet another $2 (trying to make it look as if I'm stealing), he jokes with his buddy, and then calls. The turn is a Tc. This is where I made the biggest mistake, because I started to panic that someone with two clubs or a J has me beat. I think what are the odds he has that, what are the odds he'd fold to an all-in, and all the other important factors (knowing that I have a 10 out redraw if I'm behind to a straight or flush). I push all-in, and he calls. He turns over JT. Is it likely that we'd have these two hands, and that we'd both flop monsters? I should have proceeded with caution on the turn, but I figured that even heads up I'm probably still ahead, and he probably has maybe a pair or two. The river bricks out on me as he delivers a 9. I shake his hand (as is customary), and we talk for a few minutes, before they decide to head back to their room. Before leaving the offer me a "beer for the road", which I decline. I eavesdrop a little on their room, and they were discussing my play with the open-ended straight. I leave, in fear of one of them opening their door, and catch me in the act.

All in all, these guys were nice guys. I just can't help but think that that last hand (dealt by the other guy) was a little bit more than coincidental.

So, I'm asking you if you think this game was crooked. If so, why? If not, why? If not, then let me know how I could I have played that last hand differently, or was I just destined to lose all of my money? Should I have gotten my money in on the flop, not giving him a chance to draw to a J, T, or club, had he had that kind of hand? Anyway, just send me you thoughts, and I thank you very much.

RGS