Monday night

Ive started playing at the higher level no-limit ring
games now. Just for the excitiment value, and usually
because it means I concentrate, and play the best I
can as the pot size is close to the amount i cash in
for. However I dont play for very long, say about
3 or so rounds, ie = 30 hands.

This means playing super tight, but without being
too scared if I do play a pot. Usually the other
players have between $500 and $1000, and I cash in for
$150.

The important things I learn when playing at this level,
is to value my hands properly. If im in the big blind,
and I get raised, even if its a so so hand, once it
gets raised beyond $15, or if there arent many callers,
I fold. Hands like A-J, A-10 often get laid down, unless
in late late position. Often if you limp in, one of
the blinds will raise to $20 or more, which means you
have to fold and uve wasted $5.

I picked up A-K after a while and raised to $15. 4
callers. Ppl should respect the guy who raises, and
folds every other hand, anyway. Flop comes Ac-jc-9.
I bet $25, 2 ppl fold, one person calls. Hmmm, either
hes got A-x , 2 clubs, may be a straight draw, but
doesnt seem like he would call with that, or hes
trying to steal the pot from me on the turn. May
be A-J, but i doubt it coz you would raise. A 9
comes on the turn. Possible scare card. I think
ive got the best cards, but i check to see what
he will do. At this point im more worried if he
checks, either he has a draw or he has trapping
me. But instead he bets $45. I call straight away,
i doubt hes got a 9, and definately looks like a
steal. River comes a red king, giving me 2 pair.
I check again, knowing I will call whatever he bets.
He actually folds, so i didnt get to see his cards.
Pick up a $100 profit in the pot, play a couple more
hands, end up $80 and run away with my one hand's winnings.

$20 tournament.
Ive been doing well in the $20 and $30 tourney,
so i thought oh well, i won some money in the ring
game why not have a shot.

3 ppl seem to be friends on the table, this is
already going to be interesting. A lot of defensive
play going on, lot of checking on the flop, I figure
if i bet and they raise I might be in trouble, but
if not i can probably play aggressive and win some
pots. Pick up trip 8s, dont win a lot, bummer.
Interesting hand was when i pick up. 6-8 suited
in the small blind. Been raised to $100 pre-flop,
i decide to call, 5 handed.
Flop A-6-8 . sweet! I bet it out ($300), after all,
someone has an ace, and I only have bottom 2
pair. Two callers, hmmmm. Next card is a 3, ok,
im definately ahead, on the A-x ppl as im sure
they dont have two pair. I put them all in.
One guy folds, the other guy calls, hes got A-j,
no j on the river, cya later.

Tho misplayed the K-4-2 hand, I had K-10, someone
bet $100, i raised to $300, and then he went all
in. I was sure he had two pair, but i thought oh well
ill call. If i hit a 10, or get a running higher
pair etc. ill win. Really it was a long shot,
and i doubled him up.

Another hand, Blinds were 100-200, i had
2-4 suited in BB, the small blind raises to 400, i call.
Flop 3-5-5, ive hit opened ended st draw. He bets
$200, i reckon hes got over cards, so I raise
he calls. Hmmmm, turn comes a 2. He checks,
I think may be Im ahead, I bet again and he calls.
Last card is nothing, we both check, he had aces,
oh well, I probably shouldnt have bet on the turn.

I got short stacked a bit later, and the flop
came, A-Q-7, both had blinds, we both check
the flop. I bet 300 out of my 1200, with 3-5.
He calls, grayte. He checks the river, ive only
got 5 high, I bet another 300, and he folds,
phew, turning point. If i lose this pot im too
low. Even if you are short stacked its good
to stay positive.

Got to heads up, and stayed agressive, won another
heads up duel, and win a $100 ! Nice when you
flop a straight against two pair.

So won $80 in ring and $80 in tourney in less
than 2 hours. Efficient.