WSOP event #6 -- question on KK play

[Scooterdoo]

I agree that the mini-raise was not the best option. My thinking was that if I raise 3-4k which was what I was thinking at the time he would call with practically anything given what I had seen of him and the fact that he most likely had at least Ax, a pair or two face cards. We were playing back at each other before this so I wasn't sure I defined my hand as a high pair. In fact I had done the mini raise routine before to define my hand as a monster when it wasn't and then took down the pot with a 1/2 - 3/4 pot raise on the flop when I actually had nothing. The mini-raise could have also looked like a strong A which was part of the plan if an A came I could take the pot with a 2kish bet. I also felt that if the flop was not scary I would just take it down right there.

I would rather push than put in 30% of my stack preflop and then be forced to fold if an A came because he was playing a hand like A9-AK and he played back at me.

I think just calling or pushing were probably the best strategies here. If he called me with a pair or Ax, which was likely, than I got exactly what I should want -- a big favorite to double up. If he folds than I take 1k and continue on to the next hand. I would have never said push before this, but the more I think about it the better it looks in these situations. I really like it better than a 3-5k raise for the reasons stated above. Do you disagree with my logic? If so, why?

* BTW, in the NL rebuy event yesterday I went on the rush of the century in the first hour. I went from 1k to 8.5k and never had things go against me. After the rebuy period I had so many chips that it made no sense to add-on. I get moved to Phil Ivey's table and on the 3rd hand there I made the absolute worst mistake I had ever made in a poker game. I have no idea why I did what I did and it was so bad that I cannot even share it with you here -- although if you see Phil be sure to ask him about the worst play he has ever seen in his life! It wasn't against him, but I'm sure he took notice of it. I didn't sleep the night before and was home-sick after a week away from the family, so perhaps that has something to do with it. Anyway, I immediately packed my bags and came home (I was planning on leaving today anyway). Most people don't realize and appreciate the amount of concentration and endurance it takes to play in these grueling events.

I usually play in the big LA events, but never on back-to-back days and I get to sleep at home. The WSOP is another animal all together. Hopefully I'll have more stamina for the main event.