I decided to take on the big boys last night, investing some of my cash game winnings in the 100+9. Mostly, it was a lark because my recent tournament play has been so poor.
In the first round I caught A2 suited in the BB and caught a KQ on a 22Q flop and doubled up right away. Then I coasted to the break, getting nothing and therefore playing nothing.
Picked up some nice hands in middle of tournament, got action and cruised into top 10. Then as the bubble was coming, I got badly cold-decked, and was 17th when the top 20 got made.
Stayed out of harm's way, stole some blinds and antes and made final table in 9th, not seriously short-stacked but not in good shape.
Then the horseshoe came. 10th out right away, and 4th place made a horrible decision and got blasted out by leader. 8th place makes a nice profit I was fine with it.
Except I pick up AA under the gun. I give a small raise to see if anyone has something good I can come over. Better than that...two people come over me, so I go all in. Called by both. 99 and QQ. Flop is 678 rainbow, so the RNG sweat is flowing. I never saw two better bricks than the 2 and 3 that hit. Took me all the way to 3d.
It gets down to 4, 1 and 2 are miles ahead of me and 4, who are about even. I get passed by 4 on some blind steals, and then pick up QQ in the SB.
I choked. The leader limped in from Button, and I just made the minimum raise. #2 calls from the BB and so does leader. Flop is AK7. I knew I was dead, but it was checked on the flop. Turn is a blank, I go all in for my last 7k, with #3 at around 13k, and the leader calls with K and the blank. He never calls if I make a real raise preflop.
Massive mixed feelings. Farthest I've even gotten at anything over $10 multi. I think I played well with only intermittently good cards. And made a nice sum, too. But I can't believe I succumbed to the pressure.
Given the chip count at about 40k 40k 14k and 10k, what was the right bet for me when Leader limped in, if not all in? I think we were at 600-1200 blinds but it might have been more. And should I have led out QQ on that board? I think it wouldn't have worked, as leader was hard to move.
