8th December 2004
In a game that saw more bad beats than a Busted concert, coming out top was as much a surprise to me as it was everyone else.
The evening started badly. Kris was away on business, so I had no one to turn to when my luck disappeared. Actually, to start with, it did not make an appearance at all. My cards seemed frozen, constant 8 3o, 10 6o, and a couple of Aces with very low kickers. One hand of note was when I went all-in with A8o, with the flop holding 9,10,Jo, and the turn showing an Ace. I thought maybe my luck had turned, holding top pair and a straight draw, but when Steve called, and showed QKo, there was no help on the river.
The turning point came with the lowest of the low, 72o in the big blind. No raises were made before the flop, so I sat back and expected to fold. But, to my disbelief, what top card on the flop was, a 7. I think I checked at this point, and with no other bets, we saw the turn. Another 7. 'Whoo hoo!' I thought. I bet carefully, I think around 600 (only had around 2,000). Steve (yes, again) called. The river came nothing, and I went all-in. Steve rightly folded, but it didn't matter, my stack was improved and I was back in the game.
I never looked back, and my luck had returned. AK held twice for me, unheard of at a TCP game!
I was sitting pretty quite soon. By the freeze-out Adam had already departed. Lindz was chip leader, with myself and Steve about equal, and G bringing up the rear.
I think I am right in saying Lindz took out both G and Steve, and had around twice my chips when we went heads up. I started taking dribs and drabs, but Lindz soon took a few back, but I somehow managed to have around half the chips after about 30 mins. Having been earlier folded on holding pocket Ks, when I looked down to pocked 8s and Lindz had raised the blind, I went all-in. Lindz quickly called and I hoped it was not going to be the end. Oh the horror. Pocket Qs.
The flop came, with no help. As did the turn. Ready to stand up and shake the winners hand, I almost fainted when an 8 hit on the river. I thought that sort of thing happened only online. Clearly, it can happen in real life as well.
There was no coming back, and when Lindz went all in for 3,000 a hand later, I called. Low and behold, she held J6o and I had J7o. Not that it mattered, but a J appeared on the flop, and it was all over.
Thanks for a great game all, and I am now very happy to take over as league leader!
Emily
bravenet.com