Excuse my absence. Things have been busy, and poker hasn't been top priority, unfortunately. I did wrangle myself an invite to a decent stakes sit and go game last Friday, however. With a minimum $200 buy-in (some players starting at $1000) and unlimited re-buys, there was action for the taking. I found me a straight club flush to the king off the flop during the course of the evening, and the strangest thing happened...There were 5 of us in the pot, and I was first to act. I checked, as the room was full of wild-eyed jackals. A bet of $20 turned to $40, with 2 more callers. I raised to an even hundred. And got 3 calls. I could hardly believe my good fortune. I had the KJ in my hand, and the flop had come 9, Q, 10. 2h was the next card out of the gate, and again I checked. I didn't think my thinly veiled ploy was likely to work twice in a row, but I couldn't resist. Check...bet $100...fold...ahhh, the ever entertaining check raise for the second time in a row, making it $200 to go. Fold....CALL. I couldn't believe it. What could this guy possibly have that could warrant a call with no more degree of difficulty than deciding between soup and salad? I put him on AA or a slick...likely holding the Ace of clubs. 5th street brought a 6d. Could it be possible, I wondered...the word "check" was as distasteful in my mouth as "blind date," "chlamydia," or "last call" but I forced it out with a sigh....thank goodness I had only the single syllable to muster. He stared me down, and bet out $200. Impossible, I thought to myself. This cannot be happening. I was feeling pretty guilty about this time...not only had this guy ordered a beautiful cheese and deli platter, he had been the most gracious host. I raised him to $400. He called in a heartbeat. He proudly laid his 10 Q on the table. Not a club in sight. I couldn't believe he'd called my monster with 2 pair, especially with such an intimidating board. I quickly showed my hand, and flashed my most apologetic smile. He was stunned. Mortified. He was frozen in time somehow, like a deer in the headlights. He couldn't quite bring himself to let go of the chips he'd already started raking towards him. It was a terrible, awkward moment. No one said a word. I slowly gathered my winnings. He eventually stammered something like "nice hand...didn't see that one coming" and the game continued. I have dreamed about it every night since. I am not likely to soon forget the day I successfully pulled off 3 check-raises in the same hand. The pot was almost $2000. Them's some pretty high stakes for this cat...it works for me in a freeze-out tourney, but I always seem to run into cash game fans with really deep pockets, which, as you well know, can be an absolute dream or your worst nightmare! Well, I am returning tomorrow for a rematch. I think I will stick to the age-old plan....tread lightly, and carry a big stick. See you there. Cheers, JJ.
