Summer has been hard on the poker tournament organizations/leagues as people tend to do other things with their evenings, the sun being out well past 8:00 pm. Some are waiting for the autumn to renew their expansionists policies. So, as someone who often plays for free, out of necessity, I find it curious that policies have been changed to put the free players at an even greater disadvantage stack wise. Providing vastly greater chip earning promotions so that even with a minimal buy-in you may find yourself seriously short stacked from the get go. It would seem contrary to promoting growth. I find it hard to understand...or not.
So it has caused me to become more and more tight as a player. And be assured that when I do go in on a hand I will be raised pre-flop and heavily challenged after. So it was the other night. Somewhere in mid position, after folding almost everything but the blinds most of the night, I went in with 7, 8 suited, hoping for a big trap. I was raised, the raiser looking directly to me, and I called. Several called. The flop came A, 4, 5 with two hearts, my suit. I made double the minimal bet, believing everyone would put me on an A. I was reraised to over 2/3rds of my stack by one as the others folded. I thought awhile with my gut shot straight and flush draw, knowing clearly he had the A. I thought he would have a good kicker. As my stack was comparatively small, even before the hand, I went all-in which he didn't like but having a mountain of chips, my reraise being a fraction of his stack and the total pot, he called.
Reraising me, playing tight, on my bet with an A, 8? Most would consider I had an A, 10 or better, or possibly believe I hit two pair, or at least paired the A with a wheel draw. I'm not sure if most others would consider mine a good all-in, but most were surely surprised, if not impressed, when I turned over the 7, 8 of hearts. I didn't hit my straight or flush and was out, but picked up a point for the session tournament which I have qualified for.
And have I been 'punked' by Ultimate Bet? Working for my $1 million play money goal, with near $700,000 I lost it all in a matter of days, never having come out ahead in a single sitting. And this with me playing the smaller stake games as my play money assets dropped. All happening after a software update some time back. Haven't played there since. I had stopped counting the times I hit two pair on the flop and lost to someone who hit their second higher pair on the river. But it is all play money? People play differently.
Actually have lost interest in the online poker after playing real games for prizes and tournament qualification. At first I didn't think I could hold my own but did well sticking to what I had learned from online play and TV. And am learning more and more every time I play; growing in feel and read and betting strategy.
So at my next tournament I will still be at a disadvantage, as the highest point getter's still receive some bonus chips. But should have better odds. And I certainly have plenty of experiences playing tight...
Or maybe I just want my competition to think I'm playing tight.
Blah hahahahaha Blah hahahahaha!
