Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Runner Runner Against a Fish

Sometimes one fish playing a hand really badly can turn the night around.  Or at least save you on a night when nothing else seems to be going right.

When I encounter a player like this, I wonder if I should be playing either live or online every chance I get.  Maybe I should be playing in poker tournaments or cash games online every night?

I was seriously card dead this night. I lost about half of my $200 buy-in just calling small raises with pocket pairs, suited connectors, etc.  I added another $100 just before this hand happened, against the biggest fish at the table.  He had less than me, about $140 when the hand was dealt.  I had already realized he was a terrible player but I never had the cards or the opportunity to do anything about it….until now.


I had Jack-10 of diamonds in the small blind.  The fish, in late position, raised to $7.  I called, as did one limper.  The flop was Queen-6-5, two diamonds (not the Queen).  I checked, the fish bet $18 and I called.  The other player mucked.  The turn was a black King, giving me the open-ender in addition to the flush draw.  Based on his play, I really didn’t think he’d fold to a bet.  I thought he would pay me off, however, if I hit my hand.  I checked again, and this time he checked behind me.

The river was the Ace of hearts, giving me Broadway, and incidentally, the nuts.  I suppose I would have preferred a diamond so I could have gotten a drawing ticket, but this had to do.

I bet $35.  It seemed like an amount he would call if he had anything at all.  I thought he would call if all he had was a pair of deuces.

He tanked.  He counted out chips.  He restacked them.  He thought some more.  Finally, instead of calling, he said, “Raise to $100.”  Thank you, sir!

I thought it was possible he had the same hand as I did and we’d chop, but I doubted he would have taken that long to make a decision with the nuts.

But the weirdest thing was that he bet $100.  He started counting the chips after he made the verbal declaration.  But I knew he had barely more than $100—no more than $20 more. Why not just go all in? He was certainly pot committed.

I didn’t waste any time.  I announced “all-in” right away.  He said, “Well, I’m probably beat, but I have to call.”  I loved hearing that.

Since he called me I had to show first, and I was only too happy to show the stone-cold nuts.  He didn’t have to, but he did indeed turn over his cards.

Care to guess what he had?

It was Queen-10.  Offsuit.  He never had a flush draw. Or a straight draw.  He did pick up a gut-shot on the river, a bit too late.  He had top pair, weak kicker.  I understand raising with that preflop in late position.  I understand betting the flop.  I could even see him making a crying call on the river, even though he had to think he was beat.

But raising me on the river?  Wow.  Instead of just losing another $35, he lost his whole stack.  Needlessly.

I told you he was a fish.

He asked the dealer where the nearest ATM was, and she dutifully told him.  I said to her, after he took off in the direction of the ATM, “Please come back. Please come back.”

He did.  Unfortunately, I went back to being card dead and he gave away his new chips to other players. 

That pot was the only significant one I won all night, and it helped me break even on a night where I was getting no cards.  Not a great night, but I could settle for it.

Sometimes all it takes is one really bad player to help you out.

16 comments:

  1. So we finally get to meet in person.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL....

      At least, I assume you are kidding, Mr. S.

      Delete
    2. Of course I am. Where would I get my hands on $140?

      Delete
    3. Another good one. You're cracking me up tonite.

      Delete
  2. How about a detailed description of said fish?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not sure what the point of that would be. He was pretty nondescript. I didn't note anything about him the next day. Nothing about him stood out except he was a bad player.

      Delete
  3. Mr S beat me to it, but are you sure this wasn't me on NYE ? You were in disguise ? As an ex law enforcer (still with car) ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry, this was well before NY's Eve, Ben. And he didn't have a British accent.

      Delete
  4. LOL. I only play 2/4 limit, but I've seen players call a bet all the way down with AKs.
    They just can't get away from it.

    http://livelowlimitpoker.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Tom. When I was a 2/4 limit player, I saw most people play most hands, and so many down to the river with nothing it was amazing.

      That said, I am still amazed at how many people play garbage hands and stick with them thru the river in NL.

      Delete
  5. I'm sure that you informed him that he had been beaten holding the hopeless evil hand... :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was too busy telepathically telling him, "Please come back, please come back."

      Delete
  6. Looks like you bumped into a guppy. Just be glad it's not a whale, the bigger fish tends to bump pot up way beyond buy-in limit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, it was really the perfect situation for me.

      Delete
  7. Happy to see that you have discovered (since my December visit) how to beat Q-10. Or maybe the opponent just did not know how to play it properly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually, the guy looked like a cross between you and Coach so......

      Delete