Streaks and effect on a table (long)

[WiredPair]

I was playing live Friday night in Co. Went with a friend of mine who doesn't play much. Got to the casino and were told they were just opening a $3-$5 table. I made the mistake of assuming it was one $3 blind and then spread limit. Turns out it was a $3 and $5 blind and all bets were $5 on all streets. Enough of the setup.

Guy to my left was a complete and utter maniac. Raising the flop 50%-60% of the time. Saw him show down 67s in early position after he raised the pot. He was drawing and hitting absolutely everything. Probably got up 300-400 over an hour and a half. I tried to tighten way up, play only premium hands and punish him when I thought I had the best of it. Nothing seemed to work.

Finally, I rec'd KQs in middle-position and here is what happened:

EP limps, I call, maniac calls, LP player raises, button calls, BB calls, and EP calls the raise and so do I. Six to the flop. Flop comes: K 5 3 rainbow.

Checked to me and I check. I'm hoping I can check raise and knock out the maniac. He slows down somewhat usually after the flop. Checked to PF raiser who bets. Button calls, BB folds, EP calls and I check-raise. Maniac folds (woo-hoo!), better folds, button calls and EP calls, three of us left.

Turn is a 9.

Checked to me and I bet. Button calls, EP calls.

River is a K. Checked to me and I bet. Button calls and EP Calls.

I think I have the action right, but definitely close enough. I flip over my KQs and EP mucks. Button flips over AKs and takes it down. I say "nice hand" and he just scoops the pot.

I don't think I played this poorly, but I don't think he played it all that well. I think he missed some raises. On the other hand, with the non-threatening board, maybe he read me well and put me on KQ or QJ and thought he may lose one of us with a raise.

Anyway, after that hand, I called it a night down two racks. Wasn't too disappointed as I think I played pretty well overall, just didn't get many hands and couldn't switch seats to get better position on the maniac.

Thanks for reading!

[bernie]

if youre going to knock players out on the flop. bet out. a c/r when the bettor is on your left doesnt tend to get many out since your not making anyone face 2 bets cold. bet out and hope the pre raiser raises to knock them out.

btw....you want the maniac to call, not fold. he's the weak player. you want him in.

b

[rkiray]

Never heard of a 3/5 game. What casino spreads it?

[WiredPair]

I hadn't either. Moutain High Casino.

[rharless]

Once upon a time, there was no 5-5, only 3-5, even at the Lodge. 5-5 was introduced a couple years ago and quickly swept the action players. Not sure why Mountain High is doing 3-5 again now, but at any rate, this structure isn't new.

rh

[rkiray]

I've been playing in CO for just over 3.5 years. Mostly at the Lodge. Never seen a 3/5 game. So 5/5 has been around at least that long. Moutain High seems to have trouble getting 5/5 games going. Maybe that's why they went to 3/5. I've only played there 3 times since they opened the bigger poker room. A couple of times I believe staff incompetence contributed to their not being able to start the 5/5.

On a Sunday afternoon, I was up there playing 2/5 waiting for them to start a 5/5. I had been waiting for a little more than 90 minutes. I went up to ask the floorperson when they would start the game (they had two empty tables that they said they were saving for 5/5). She said she had no idea. I asked her why she couldn't start the game now since there were at least 15 names on the list. She said that there really wasn't that many players. She new some of them weren't actually here. She pointed to a name, and said "this lady is not here". Then she pointed to another name, and "I know this man is not here." Of course that was my name. I told her that and also told her I thought she was an idiot. I had heard the dealers talking and they were having to work without breaks because a couple of people had called in sick that day. If they needed an emergency bathroom break the floorperson would deal a few hands. So I think this is why they hadn't opened the game. I just hated being lied to. So I immediately left for the Lodge. I like the dealers and floorpeople over there better anyway. Maybe just because I know them better. In general (and of course there are a few exceptions) I think the Lodge has a great staff. I've played much more over there and never had an incident like this. Of course most of the Lodge's staff know me, so they would not make this mistake. I just wish they didn't allow smoking.

[oddjob]

they used to have a 3/5 at colorado central station. i'm guessing the mountain high casion picked it up, to get their players.

yes, the lodge has a great staff. most all the dealers are really good, and don't put up with much [censored] from players. i think this is important

btw, i heard a rumor that the mountain high is going to smoking, to try and compete with the lodge.
you might have to take up smoking, to stand it.

[rharless]

The two tables closest to the blackjack pit are already smoking.

The remainder of the other tables are non-smoking.

Lately they have been putting one 3-5 table in the smoking area, and one in the non-smoking area.

[Rook1]

Were you in blackhawk co.?