I took a break from our online poker challenge today to play live at the local casino. I played a 3-table live tourney and finished (just barely) in the money. Decent, but hardly heroic.
I then joined a $3/$6 Limit game--there were no No-limit tables in play. I'd only played a Limit game once before; initially I'd been intimidated by the numbers (it sounds more expensive than $1/$3 NL, but it's actually a lot less risky/volatile). I had found limit a little boring, but in a way more relaxing than NL, where you need to be "on" all the time. More like cross-country skiing vs. grand slalom; coffee with an old buddy vs. a first date...you get the picture.
Anyway, into my very first session on Limit, it didn't take me too long to realize that it is actually a totally different beast: it is all about chasing; great starting hands more often than not amount to a hill o' beans.
Accordingly, I did a fair amount of chasing (calling max bets all the way to the river with A-5 suited, chasing--and hitting--the flush draw). After about an hour, I had built my mighty bankroll from $100 to about $150. I was rich--and determined to get richer!
At that point, the player 2 to my left had just won two hands in a row, and thus the "kill" came into play--all blinds/bets were doubled. In the hope that this may prove at all therapeutic, let me share my story:
1. I was dealt KK. A dream of a hand in NL, but I knew better here. But the "kill" could help--maybe I could actually push some "drawers" out of the pot.
2. The bet was $6 (doubled from the standard $3); three folks called around to me. I roundly (max-) raised to $12. The button called (he had to put in $6 more since he was the "kill") and Seat 4 Called. Everyone else folded.
3. The flop came: 2 (hearts), 3 (hearts), 8 (diamonds). A terrific flop for me: no Ace (which could pose a problem for my K's), no possible flush or straights. Trips unlikely (who would have called with a pair of 2's or 3's; 8's, perhaps).
4. Seat #4 checked to me. I surely had the best hand, but was wary of letting my opponents draw out to a flush or straight. I max-bet $12. The button and #4 called me. I thought they were nuts. The pot was now about $100.
5. The turn: K of spades. I made trips--and no flush or straight was possible! I max-bet and my two donk-pals called me. Seat #4 is now all-in. I know they're drawing, but that I am heavily favored. And even if they were to hit their straight of flush, if the board were to pair, I've got the full house. I am feelin' bulletproof and invisible. What are these guys doin'?
6. The river comes: 4 of hearts. The heart gives me a heart-attack, and Seat #4 gives out a little whimper-yelp like some hairless Mexican dog. I check to the button. He bets $12. I feel sick to my stomach, but there's no way I'm laying down my set of K's. I clutch my throat and call.
7. The big blind shows the case King (hearts) and a ten of hearts. He made the flush on the river, and takes the side pot. He called all along in the hope of making the flush, and the K on fourth street simply provided a dose of insurance (he may have figured I had QQ or JJ or such).
8. Adding insult to injury, Seat 4 shows A-5...both of hearts. Yup, the ol' straight flush! Bet he was kickin' himself that he didn't have some more chips to be a part of (and raise) on the river!
And that, my friends, is how this Limit game can just crush your spirit. Clearly, in No-limit, I would have made a large bet after the flop (and, if necessary, the turn) to deny pot-odds to the drawers. But in this messed up Limit world, you just can't price the drawers out. And I am about $150 poorer for it!
Needless to say, I needed to vent. And also explain why there has been no change in my 2009 Challenge balance (still about $130). But I will be back at it tomorrow. And--I promise you this--back at it far, far away from any Limit action!
BTW, if I remember, I will try to post a bit tomorrow on my strategy for turning that $100 into $10,000 by 12/31/09. A long-shot, I know. But then so is drawing out to a straight-flush vs. trip-Kings!!
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BTW, you played limit - not pot limit. Pot limit is something different so the title is a little misleading. In pot limit you would have been able to price them out in this example. In limit you cannot.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, it is the same dilemma as with omaha pot limit as you just can't price people out. They had a good price to bust your kings and really little you can do about it.