Adventures at the EPO Part IV

Such a pretty hand. Not so pretty when the button raises to 800.The blinds fold and I think for a minute. It smells like aces to me. In it to win it I think to myself, and call to gamble. I know I am well behind but a friendly flop could change all that...

Flop comes 5 K Q, a couple of clubs. I check and he bets 900. Why so low? He definitely has aces. I call, hoping to hit the turn. The turn is a Jack. Bingo: I have 2 pair - the straight doesn't worry me (this guy doesn't raise with A 10). I check to raise all-in. He checks back. Damn! River: another King. Oh, FFS! My two pair just got counterfieted. 3 pair is no good in this game.

I know if I bet I will get called at a minimum so I check. He bets another thou. Such an obvious value bet. My only way to win this is to raise a hefty slab of chips to rep the K but that wouldn't make sense and I know it and I also so goddam well know he has aces and I realise this chump is gonna call me down with the rockets.

It's so obvious: I know I am losing ... I know he has aces. But you also know how it is, sometimes you just have to see...

'I call.'

"Two pair", he says and turns over aces.

Yes, I know you have friggin' 2 pair you bell-end. I got 3 pair and that arse King on the end just meant I am down to 6k. Balls! Sometimes, the gamble works like a dream, and hey, sometimes it leaves you cursing your luck and nursing a sorely damaged chip-stack.

I fondle my remaining chips lovingly ... I can come back from this. And the suited AQ I am dealt soon afterwards should help. I raise with it and aces boy calls me as does one other. The flop is Q 10 3. I am loving that. I check to aces boy who bets out. Other caller folds and I move all-in. Top pair, top kicker, I'm in great shape. Aces boy thinks for ages. I stare down at the table.

'Hmmm, maybe you just gave up.'

'Give up' ???!!! I NEVER give up pal.

'Either that, or you got Kings.'

As soon as he says that I can no longer put him on the hand I hope he has (KQ) and start to think he may have the same hand as me or maybe, just maybe I have him beat and he has A 10 or Jacks.

Reluctantly, ever so slowly, he pushes his chips into the middle.

'I call' he says.

Bollocks. We both have AQ. The turn brings a 2nd heart on board and I am free-rolling for the nut flush. PLEEEEAAASSSEE!! River is.....a blank. We split the pot and I am a tad peeved but hey, I still have chips and we're still only at level 4 - I can still do this. Mind you, 170 odd other players are thinking exactly the same thing...

Read the rest of Ashley's blogs from EPO: Part 1, Part II, Part III, Part IV