Heavenly Hold'em - Commerce Casino (Did I blow it?)

[JBH]

Me:
I have played HE for about 2 months. Not a lot of experience, but haven't lost any money. Pretty much a break-even player that has a lot of leaks to plug before I start to realize long-term +EV. I was in LA on business and went in early because I wanted to play a real B&M tournament for the experience.

The Game:
Heavenly Hold'em NL tournament ($100 + 20) at the Commerce Casino. 400+ players with over 600 rebuys. A total prize of $102,900.

The Scenario:
I was very happy with my play in my first real tourney. I made it to the eighth level and finished the tourney in 93rd spot. I was probably slightly above average as far as chip position goes. Definitely had an uphill climb to be in contention for the money (top 27).

I was in the BB with K9o. One early limp, one late limp, SB calls and I checked. At this point in the tourney, I would have folded the K9o, but thought I'd see the FLOP.

The FLOP came AA9. Everyone checked, which I thought was weird, but I have seen people scared before with AA hits on the flop. The TURN comes, another A. I now have a full house, but scared someone is holding the last A, so I check. Everyone checks. The RIVER comes 6. Same situation, I check. Early Position goes all-in. Everyone else folds.

Now the real problem:
I am looking for a way to increase my stack to compete for the money and the all-in raiser jumps after the 6 hits the board on 5th street. I think he has a AAA66 and I have AAA99. I call. He flips over the 4th Ace.

Like I said before, I haven't played a lot of poker and was never faced with this situation before. There wasn't a lot of money in the pot, so I probably should have folded, but was determined to double my stack.

I got slowplayed and it cost me the tourney. Did I play it 100% wrong or would any of you played it different?

Thanks,
JBH

[DaNoob]

That's a tough laydown, but remember that you could also be beat by KK QQ JJ TT. You gotta take a stand at some point, but if you're going to be putting your whole stack in the middle, I'd rather be raising or calling with the nuts. I don't like calling your whole stack unless you have a strong read on your opponent that says bluff.

For what it's worth, I've noticed that when I play patiently and avoid situations like this, I make it much further in tournament play.

Congrats on the finish though, I've never played in a B&M tourney, and I'm sure that I wouldn't make it 1/2 as far if I did.

Hope this helps.

[Gooch]

you said you had a slighty above average stack meaning you couldve waited for a better situation since you arent that desperate and others are. yes it wouldve been a hard laydown but since you were scared on the flop and turn and werent willing to put in your chips then why call on the river. a bet on the turn wouldve gave you a better read.

[Mark Heide]

JBH,

In a tournament I would make a bet on the flop to pick up the pot at that point. If I was called, I'd try to check it down. I'd do it because everyone is going to fold or an ace or nine would be the only callers and possible raisers. On the turn, I'd check it, and on the river I would fold to a big bet.

In your situation, you should definately fold. The first good reason to fold is there is hardly any money in the pot. The second reason, is that this EARLY POSITION player was not afraid of anyone behind him calling. It's this second reason why you have to fold.


Good Luck

Mark

[JayCo]

Congrats on a well-played 1st tourney. In my 1st NL tourney, I waited until the river to bluff all-in with 77 vs a board of J5542 to see the player on the button smile, flip up JJ and announce "I call", so you beat the snot out my 1st performance.

I like a pot-sized bet on the flop or at least the turn here.

If you are ahead, you win the pot 90%+ of the time, and don't allow anyone with a pair or TJQ a free draw.

If you get called you know you're probably in trouble, and when that all-in bet on the river comes you have enough info to know that player isn't betting just a 6 since he called a decent bet on the flop, and you have an easy fold.

J

[LDJ]

I would have bet the turn to test the waters. But I too would have sucked out on the river. You played well.

[Schmed]

I agree with this. Pot sized flop bet, if called, check fold. I . He would know you have a 9 or he was hoping a higher pocket than a 6. His all in would normally get called by that type of pocket pair.