Adventure 19 - Texas Hold Em Tournament

One of my gifts for my 50th Birthday was from my son Brandon who won a seat for me in a poker tournament at the Blackfoot Casino.  I was definitely 'ALL IN' for that adventure.  My experience with Texas Hold 'Em is once a year for charity at $20.00 a seat, and I have yet to win.  In other words, nada. 

The night before, Brandon and my other son Justin meet to play a few rounds and maybe pick up a couple of strategy tips.  The situation wasn't ideal since it was only the 3 of us, but then we sat in on a few hands online to get a taste of what to expect.  All I can remember is the basic hands and a couple of pre-flop betting tips. 

Ready or not, here we go.  Brandon and I meet up at the Casino a half hour before start time.  We check in, take a look around and wander over to the slot machines.  Just for fun, we each bet $20.00 on the machine with the $83,000 jackpot.  Why not, odds in a casino are always against you so think BIG.  Brandon loses his money quickly and I'm up next.  With a few pushes of a button and I hit a small win of $50.00.  That's it!  I cash out for $58.00 and replay my original $20.00.  That replay lasted less than a minute.  Either way, I'm up $38.00.  Nice!

Okay, so now it's tournament time.  I'm seated at table #2 and Brandon is a few tables away.  The dealer starts dealing and the games begin.  I sat quiet for the first while, not really understanding what the heck was going on.  It's not costing me anything but I fold most of the time.  When I get a couple good of pre-flop cards I forget that I should be betting triple the blind instead of limping in on the minimum.  There was one hand where I actually folded when I should have just checked and at least be able to see the flop.  Uaakkk!  I think at least an hour went by where I finally started to relax and pay attention.   Time goes by and I'm still holding on to 8000 of the 10000 we started with. 

Now, they're moving everyone at our table to different tables as some of the players have been wiped out.  I sit down with a new table of players and for my first hand, it's pocket fives.  Not bad.  I pay the money to see the flop.  Out comes another five and a pair of sixes.  Already, I have a full house.  Three people are in.  The first guy bets.  I raise 500 and another player bets 1500.  I'm in for the 1500 and another card is layed.  A jack comes up.  Okay, I'm still good.  The first guy folds and the girl plays ALL IN, everything she's got.  I match her chips and I'm left with about 300 left to spare.  Okay, I'm IN.  Here comes the river...the final card.  Up comes another Jack.  On the board we have two sixes, two jacks and a five.  We lay out our cards.  I still have my full house with fives and jacks.  Her hand?  A six and and Ace.  She wins with SIXES and Jacks.   Great!  She wins on the River card and I'm down to practically nothing.

Brandon motions me to meet him out side in five minutes.  I go through the whole scenario with him and I see it in his face that he thinks I've won a good hand.  Reality sets in and he can't believe it.  I did everything right, he says. There was nothing I could have done differently.  A tough break.

So, that's that.  In and out in an hour and a half and of the most exhilirating 90 minutes I've spent in awhile.  As I write this, I'm can still feel the nerve racking excitement.  It was a fun time.  Thanks Brandon. 

Don't forget, I still walked away with thirty eight bucks!