Recent Hand Discussions Part II (The Finale)

[egthareal]

Last time, I discussed 3 hands which occurred in a multi-player tournament I recently won. We started out with 53 players and the buy in was $100. Today, I will discuss 3 hands that occurred at the final stages of the tournament.



Blinds - $300/$600 with $50 ante– 12 players remaining

This hand really seemed to push e on my way. I was in middle position with the As-9s. I called the big blind as did 2 others. The Flop was 8s-4s-Ah, which was just about one of the prettiest flops you’ll ever see. I had top pair and the nut flush draw. I made a small bet and was raised. I felt this guy was on a flush draw and was hoping to get a free card. I would be more than happy to oblige him to trap. We both had identical stacks so this was a pivotal hand for us. The Turn was the 9d giving me two pair and a bigger stranglehold on this hand. I checked and he checked behind me. There was now no doubt in my mind whatsoever that he was on a flush draw. I really hoped it would hit. Then came the River and BANG! It was the 2s. I now had the nuts. I checked and my opponent proudly said the words I wanted to hear. “I’m all in and he pushes in $15,000 in chips.” I called so fast he must have been shocked. He had Ks-Qs. Poor guy, he had the 2nd nuts and was now on the rail. I was in great position to go for the win.





Blinds - $500/$1000 with $100 ante- 8 players remaining

I was in the Big Blind and looked down to see the 10s-2s, in other words, the hand Doyle Brunson won two world series titles with. It was folded around to the button who had been routinely raising my Blinds all night long. I didn’t believe for a second that he had goods hands every single time he was on the button. He didn’t disappoint, he raised to $2000 to go. I called instantly. Why? Because I really believed I could outplay him. Plus I had 4 times the amount of chips he had. The flop came 8h-9c-2d. I checked and he bet $4000. I called. There was no way on earth that flop helped him. The Turn was the 3d. He bet $6000 and without hesitation, I announced all in and put him to the test. He agonized and agonized. Finally he called and he showed Ah-10s. He was drawing to exactly 4 outs and the river blanked off and I eliminated him in 7th place, giving me a huge chip advantage. Someone asked how I could put him all in with a pair of 2’s. All I said simply was “I knew I had the best hand.” Needless to say, I now had seized control of the table and no one seemed to be in much of a hurry to tangle with me.





Blinds - $1200/$2400 with $300 ante – Heads Up

Finally, it was the moment of truth. We were heads up and I held a 4 to 1 chip lead over my opponent and I absolutely thrive heads up. I am selectively aggressive and don’t make too many mistakes. My adrenaline was pumping and the top prize was within grasp. After 5 hands, I looked down to see pocket 8’s. Heads up, any pocket pair is golden. I raised to have of my opponents stack and he thought and moved all-in. I called and we showed our cards. He had A-Q offsuit so I was a slight favorite heading into the flop. The crowd around the table was anxious with excitement. The Flop came and it was A-5-2. Ouch. I was now behind and endanger of having my lead collapse. I needed an 8 and only an 8 to win this tournament. Then it happened. The Turn was a beautiful 8 and I had the hand won. The River was irrelevant as he was drawing dead and I won the biggest live tournament of my young poker career. After tipping the dealers I netted just over $2000 and I was riding high. I can’t wait to play in the next tournament, this time as defending champ!