After getting knocked out of the WSOP $1,000 tournament, I sat down to play cash for about an hour.  There were no $2/5 seats available when I first arrived so I passed time at the $ 1/3 game.  When my name was up on the wait list, I was moved to an active $2/5 game with deep stacks.  I bought in for the table maximum of $500.   Two hands before the one I am going to tell you about, I mentioned to the table that I was waiting on a ride from my roommate and would be leaving after I received a text saying he was on the way.

An early position player opens for $15 which is reraised to $45 by MP+1 (middle position) to $45.  The cut off flats as do I from the button with the Ac Kc.  The original raiser folds.  The flop is 9 high with two spades.  On the flop, both of the other villains check, so I bet $85.  The MP+1 folds and the CO (cut-off) calls after asking how much I am playing.  The turn is a 10 of hearts.  CO checks again.  I bet $150 and the CO calls.  The river is a beautiful club.  Again the CO checks, so I go all in for $190.  The CO thinks for a bit and says, “I know you got aces, but I call”.  When I turn up the nut flush, this guy throws his cards nearly hitting the dealer,  “You don’t know how lucky you got, Miss!”  He grabs his remaining money and starts to walk away without playing the last bet.  The dealer calls for him to come back.  He steams as the dealer collects another $190 from this guy. I tip the dealer generously and smile.

On the flop I am actually ahead here.  My turn bet, gives me odds to stay in the hand.  So glad I got “lucky”.  As I am stacking my chips, my roommate texts me that he is on the way, I tell everyone that I am going to take one more hand. I fold a junk hand and cash out a nice $450 profit.

Today was Event #3 -$500 + $50 No Limit Hold ‘em (6-handed) at Harrah’s in New Orleans. I did not last very long in the event. My table mates were all good players who seemed able to read my cards before I could. I probably should have stayed in bed, which is something I strongly considered.

I stopped by the poker room after my early exit from Event #3. I sat down to a very sick $1/$2 game. Every hand had 4-5 limpers and then someone would bump it up. Nearly all the limpers would call a raise up to $20. There was just no folding pre-flop at this game.

Even though the table was a bit wild, they seemed to respect my game a bit too much (i.e. no action on my good hands) I knew I needed to mix up my game a bit if I was ever going to make some money. So when I peeked down to QQ from middle position, I limped, making me the third limper in the hand. I fully prepared to call the expected raise and fold if an ace or king arrived on the flop. Two more limp after me and the big blind bumps it up to $20. The UTG player calls. I call. The rest of the players uncharacteristically fold. We see a flop of J 7 8 rainbow. The big blind bets $55 and the UTG player min-raised to $110. I respond with an all in bet of $360. The big blind folds and the UTG calls. The turn is a 4 and river is a 3. The UTG player had A J, hitting top pair, top kicker. Whew!

Oh, by the way, have you ever seen a stack of blackies (20 – $100 chips) in a $300 capped $1/2 game? Come to New Orleans to play and you will! Crazy stuff.

I am in New Orleans for the WSOP circuit events. I will be in town until May 19th and will be at the tables as much as my body allows!

There are 19 events, plus daily mega satellites and second chance tournaments spread over nineteen days.  There are a variety of event types to appeal to all players: No limit hold em, Pot limit Omaha, Seniors, Ladies, Re-buy,  Shootout,  Heads  Up, Mixed, and more.  The structure of the events are great.

Come join me in the Bayou!