5 replies to this topic

[LeeDanger]

I think that this has to be the most frustrating thing in the world for a poker player. I've had a lot of bubble busts and it sucks. Yesterday I was playing in a $100 buy in tournament with 300 entrants and 40 places paying. With 42 people left I picked up queens on the small blind with 300-600 blinds and the cut off position made a min. raise to 1200 and I figured he was trying to steal. I reraised all in to about 5000 total to try to make it look like a resteal (as I had done this a few times). He ended up calling with A 8 and I ended up going out 2 positions from the money. Anyone else relate to these experiences where the payday was in grasp but it was violently snatched away?

[LeeDanger]

Well, I did assume that you weren't good enough to make it that far, but maybe others have.

[gobears]

LeeDanger said:

I think that this has to be the most frustrating thing in the world for a poker player. I've had a lot of bubble busts and it sucks. Yesterday I was playing in a $100 buy in tournament with 300 entrants and 40 places paying. With 42 people left I picked up queens on the small blind with 300-600 blinds and the cut off position made a min. raise to 1200 and I figured he was trying to steal. I reraised all in to about 5000 total to try to make it look like a resteal (as I had done this a few times). He ended up calling with A 8 and I ended up going out 2 positions from the money. Anyone else relate to these experiences where the payday was in grasp but it was violently snatched away?

Sure it happens, I was in a $100 NL HE tourney. 36 pay. We're in hand for hand and I find Big Slick in the BB. SB bets 2x the BB, so I raise him all-in. I had about $9,000 at the time with blinds at $600 - $1,200. If I double up, I would have jumped into the top 15. He thinks for awhile, calls me with Q 3 o.On the turn, a Q flopped and I was out in 37th.In hindsight, I should have just called his bet even with big slick. The flop was 3 rags and he might not have gone further since he would have had Q high. He was in the top 5 in chips, so I'm sure that factored into his call. Because of the bubble situation, I would just call Today instead of the all-in raise, then analyze the flop and go from there. I wouldn't just do a min re-raise either since I would be pot committed in any case.

[holman3rd]

gobears said:

LeeDanger said:

I think that this has to be the most frustrating thing in the world for a poker player. I've had a lot of bubble busts and it sucks. Yesterday I was playing in a $100 buy in tournament with 300 entrants and 40 places paying. With 42 people left I picked up queens on the small blind with 300-600 blinds and the cut off position made a min. raise to 1200 and I figured he was trying to steal. I reraised all in to about 5000 total to try to make it look like a resteal (as I had done this a few times). He ended up calling with A 8 and I ended up going out 2 positions from the money. Anyone else relate to these experiences where the payday was in grasp but it was violently snatched away?

Sure it happens, I was in a $100 NL HE tourney. 36 pay. We're in hand for hand and I find Big Slick in the BB. SB bets 2x the BB, so I raise him all-in. I had about $9,000 at the time with blinds at $600 - $1,200. If I double up, I would have jumped into the top 15. He thinks for awhile, calls me with Q 3 o.On the turn, a Q flopped and I was out in 37th.In hindsight, I should have just called his bet even with big slick. The flop was 3 rags and he might not have gone further since he would have had Q high. He was in the top 5 in chips, so I'm sure that factored into his call. Because of the bubble situation, I would just call Today instead of the all-in raise, then analyze the flop and go from there. I wouldn't just do a min re-raise either since I would be pot committed in any case.

You played it ok, imo. Flat calling is worse. He's the big stack and is likely picking on you to steal your blind (as he should). If you just smooth call, you give him another chance to steal from you on the flop.This was just bad luck. It's not a hand that should make you change your play if a similar hand arises in a bubble situation.Btw...i assume you wanted to win. If you just wanted to cash, then the other stack sizes are important b/c calling or folding (yes, folding) might have been a better option.

[LeeDanger]

Besides, if you have done the resteal before from the blinds it's the best play to do. You want to make the play that looks most natural to your opponents. That's of course if they are the observant type.