Wynn Classic Poker Tournament
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I made the money and cashed some green at an early 2009 WSOP event, and I'll update more on that later. However, continuing from my previous Wynn Classic poker blog and now firing at the final table of the No-Limit Hold 'em Tournament that began with 290 players. It took awhile to bust out any players as the two low stacks both picked up pocket Aces early and double through when they got action. The top pro at the table was not as fortunate, as he picked up Q-Q and was all-in pre-flop against K-K and was crippled when he lost the hand. Within the first 90 minutes we lost three players and were down to six remaining. The chip leader was playing bully and being very aggressive. I had picked up a pair of pots by seeing the flop and just playing solid position poker and establishing a solid and tight image. I had also played with at least three of the remaining players for quite some time earlier in the tournament, so you're able to better gauge their play if you're paying attention. I was never 'all-in' as the first three players were eliminated at the final table, and I had enough chips to play solid poker without panicking or pushing unless I had a premium hand.
The following hands and situation came up with six players remaining and I was in second chip position with approx. $700,000. The payouts were $43,000 for first place, 28k, 15k, 9k, 7k and $5,600 for sixth place. The chip leader had over 900,000 and the blinds were up to $15,000/30,000 with a $3000 ante. It would cost each player $63,000 per round if they did not play a hand. One of the lower stacks moved all-in second to act with $170,000 remaining. The chip leader moved all-in over the top for $900,000. I looked at Ace-King off suit (A-K) in the big blind, a huge holding with six players remaining. However, after much deliberation, I decided to fold and flipped my cards face up on the table. A few players expressed much surprise that I folded. My concern was not the player with $170,000, but rather was I going to beat the big stack and chip leader. Certainly if I win the hand I take a commanding chip lead. And I figure at worst I'm a very slight underdog, and I could have the big stack dominated. But what if the all-in short stack has an ace or king? If the big stack then had a pocket pair, I was now close to a 2-1 underdog to win the hand over three players.
I decided the risk of busting out at this point was not worth the potential reward, and my chip position allowed me to be more selective with the pots I played. So the other two players went heads up all-in pre-flop and the low stack had pocket 4's (4-4) and big stack had pocket 5's (5-5). The flop helped nobody, an Ace fell on the turn and a five (5) hit the river. I would have busted out had I played the hand as the big stack made a set of five's. Instead, five of us remained and the big stack got bigger and just kept raising and pushing all-in as the blinds were now $20,000/40,000 with a $4,000 ante. We got down to four players and I was now the low stack after raising with K-J and folding to an all-in with four players remaining. A solid poker player and sports bettor from Florida that I had talked with through the later stages of the tournament and on break was next to go. He pushed all-in pre-flop with pocket Jacks (J-J) and was called by the chip leader with A-Q. The chip leaders good fortune continued as he hit an Ace on the turn to take a commanding lead.
Three of us remained and I was low stack with approx. chip counts of 275k - 725k - and 2 million. I had folded two hands prior with Queen high when the big stack pushed, and I was running out of time to just play a premium hand as the blinds were up to 30,000/60,000 with a $5,000 ante. My patience was finally rewarded, as I picked up pocket 7's (7-7) first to act and moved all-in. The chip leader actually had a big hand and called with A-K. But Fairway's good fortune and best hand held up, and I doubled through to approx. $650,000. The very next hand I was in the big blind and the big stack raised again to $160,000 from the small blind. I moved all-in and he mucked instantly as I showed K-8 face up on the table. I decided to make a stand against the big bully so he knew there would be no 'freebie' from Fairway and that I might push all-in with a sub-par holding. He knew I was tight, and it was time to slow him down.
We played on for a bit with no confrontations as the blinds moved to $40,000/80,000 with a 10,000 ante. The chip leader was at approx. 1.9 million, I had approx. 725k and the third player had approx. 375k. Again, the prize payouts were $43,000+ for 1st place, $28,000+ for 2nd place and $15,000+ for 3rd place. No deals as the chip leader was in command, although chips can change hands quickly. The low stack was in the big blind and needed a double-up in the next 4-5 hands or he was going to drop below 150k and find himself in real trouble. I knew the situation and was clearly a pretty solid favorite to take at least 2nd place at this point. And the big stack kept the pressure on, as he moved all-in first to act. I looked down at pocket Jacks (J-J). I deliberated a bit to review the chip counts and situation. An easy call for most I know, but strategy, situations, opponent tendencies, financial gain, etc. should be considered. The chip leader had been very aggressive and here I finally had a big hand to make a stand. I'm quite certain I'm holding the best hand pre-flop, and if I call and win the pot I am chip leader and we'll likely go heads up shortly. If I fold, I'm a pretty solid favorite to move up another $13,000 in prize money.
Anyway, I called with pocket Jacks (J-J). The low stack in the big blind got out of the way and folded. Chip leader showed Ace-Duece (A-2). I couldn't ask for a better situation unless he had a lower pair, as I was a 71% favorite to win the hand pre-flop. Unfortunately, the Fairway fortune ended as an Ace hit the flop and I was unable to catch a Jack for a set. The low stack was out just two hands later in heads up action and I was out the door with over $15,000, but feeling mildly disappointed.
I've talked with other players since the tournament ended and had various comments about making a bad call to you absolutely should make the call. One guy even said he'd have no respect for me if I didn't make that call. Regardless, it depends on the situation of course, along with a player's ability level against his opponents, chip stacks and blind levels, financial gain, etc. I believe in playing to win, but that comes at certain stages of the tournament and depends on a number of situations. I've won many poker tournaments, and a variety of situations and strategies present themselves in later stages of the tournament. I tend to analyze and evaluate situations, chip stacks, opponents and information more than most players I believe. My sports handicapping, betting background and poker playing allows me to analyze and interpret information on a regular basis. Believe me, that's just not the case with most recreational poker players or even many regular tournament or cash game players. And while listening to poker player's talk about their sports bets, it's unfortunately not the case with most sports bettors either. To most I'm analyzing and explaining way too much, as most poker players are saying, "Fairway you blundering Big Bertha, of course you call !" Plus you might regret not making the call if the low stack rallies and you're knocked out in third place.
No regrets here but discussing and analyzing poker play and hands usually brings a variety of comments and opinions, just like betting and handicapping sports. Back again in the weeks ahead to review my other recent final table appearance and over $11,000 in prize money at a WSOP Circuit Event at Caesars Palace. I'll likely blog along the way about the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and my recent finish and cash at the 2009 WSOP Event no. 4. Hopefully even more Fairway's, Birdies and Green ahead !
Until then, plenty of poker action to be played or followed as the World Series of Poker (WSOP) has begun at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. With 57 bracelet events at this year's WSOP covering over seven weeks of action, perhaps I'll take another shot at some additional WSOP events, satellites and other tournaments at the major poker rooms in Las Vegas. The $10,000 WSOP World Championship Event is one month away and begins July 3rd. I hope to see some of you at the upcoming tournaments and WSOP in Las Vegas. Be sure to say hello to Fairway Jay on the felt and best wishes as you shoot for the green at the World Series of Poker.
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