In the Black

I didn't win that entry into the Chicago Poker Classic. But I did finish second and collected a $100 prize. This keeps me clearly in the black for 2011.

I worked slowly and built up a dominant stack. As the blinds went to 1500 - 3000 and only 45,000 on the table many blinds went unchallenged. With good but not great hands I took the blinds on several hands with a min raise (3000). And then there were two of us. I had well over half the chips on the table and the blinds were now 3000 - 6000. I went all-in with Q, J. The other gentleman took a long time to decide and then called. He had a J, 8. I was dominant but he hit his 8 on the river.

The only thing I could have done different, that may have been beneficial was to show a card or both my cards. I thought he was taking so long because he held an A. If I had shown my Q or even both cards he most likely would have folded. Showing cards is something I have not done before. If one shows a card or cards one's hand is generally dead. That means you cannot bet or raise any longer throughout the hand. You can only call a bet.

Now I have the monthly as my next chance to grow my winnings for 2011. I do not think I will be going to any local tournaments until then... OK ...maybe one. I need to catch some more points for the six month and am thinking of picking a weekly location to play Badger Poker. Perhaps something I can walk to.

The monthly is the 13th. A Sunday for once which works well for me. The local casino is also having a tournament, a $340 buy-in. They have tournaments few and far between these days. I will take my chances and mad skills to the free Tavern Tourney monthly.

I have not played much Internet poker. Play money games are all we can play in Wisconsin as I understand it. Which is probably best. I thought of trying to get an Internet home game set up. Where you play with people you know. Set up a club, approve membership, and set up your own games and tournaments.