Nuts by any other name...

Arrived late to the €40+5 game in the Jackpot last night near the end of level one, it was intentional as every other tourney I went to in there always started late before but not this one!

As I sat down with my 5k stack, there were few big stacks on the table, I was told that a couple of players had left already! Watching the current hand progressed it was clear I was on a table of LAGs. Uh oh! Trouble ahead... But in my very first hand I got AJ, called the button's 300 raise and the flop came up a beautiful JJ10... niiiiiccceeee! Button threw out 400, I considered slowplaying but instead decided to raised small, 800; he insta-folded. I mucked. The very next hand I had Q9 suited. I love queens, me. UTG+1 raised to 300; there were a couple other callers plus me. BB, who was shortstacked, pushed with 1,150. UTG+ called... I dwelled, quizzing BB for a tell "Hmmm I love this hand... have you a pair" I asked. He nodded (!) then indicated upwards "oh two high cards?" "yep" "ah I have a good feeling about them...". He laughed, and a quick 'oh no' look briefly appeared on his face. Yay! He's nothing! I called.

Flop: QQK (rainbow)

UTG+1 checked, I saw had me well covered... I threw out 3k, he insta-pushed all-in with 10k. I called to see JJ; BB's had 45 suited. What a time to shove! Turn and river did nothing to improve either and I was up to 14.5k. Nice!

Then I made a huge mistake few hands later. Still can't believe I donked my chips on it... Was in CO-1 limped for 100 in along with 5 others; SB raised to 600. Action folded back to me. I had KQ off; I saw the raise as steal and decided to call. Flop came A10Q... SB threw out 1200... I called (I should have folded but I swear to myself he was still bluffing!). River was K, two pair for me! He went all-in with 2,800 approx and of course I called to see his AK smiling at me. Doh! I needed a J to save the day but none came... 25% of my stack (4.5k) spewed! Awful! My cheeks burned for ages!

Some hands later I was on button with 55, CO had raised to 6bb. Huge raise to pay for 55, but I called resolving to fold if there was another raise or the flop doesn't help me, it didn't, he bet 3k and I folded.

Pulled a cheeky bluff in BB position with 22; I called a 3BB raise, flop came 334. I bet out 1/2 of pot , two callers and turn was A (3 clubs on board). I insta-bet with 2k (a little over half pot) and both folded! I mucked my cards as they all quizzed me 'what ya have? what ya have?'...

"pair o'2s" says I.
"Ya did not! Did ya not have an Ace? Or Flush?"
"No.. 22."
"Damn I folded the nuts!"
"what you have?" I asked curious as to what 'nuts' he had
"55... one of them was a club"

I grew back up to a healthy 12k, before getting moved to another table. There, we had more LAG's on short-stacks pushing all-in from various positions with any ace or pair. I called 1k here, 2k there to see a flop that didn't help me, only to have another player shoving and I had to fold.

Was on Button with 10K clubs; I called a 1k raise from player in MP also called by chipleader; I was getting a nice return for my money to see a flop.

Flop came: QcJc10x

MP bet 1.5k, Chipleader called, I dwelled - it was a good place to push: I had a pair, straight flush/flush/straight draw. But I was playing against big stacks who would call me anyway. There were 20 players remaining in the game and I was determined to make final table. I decided to play safe and call.

I don't remember turn hand, I know it insignificant, it wasn't a club, 9 or A. MP checked; Chipleader bet out 5k, I was stuck. I had all the nut-draws... calling 5k would leave me less than 3k behind. I humming for an age... just was hoping the gods would help me somehow... I called. MP folded. River was a measy 4h. FFS! Chipleader looked over at my stack "3k left right?" I folded face up before he threw the last chip in... "ah I thought I had the nuts" he showed a pair of kings for a set "no I had the nuts...". WP sir!

With 20 players left, I played Tighty McTight for several rounds, managed to increase my stack from 2.5k to 6k and blinds were 300/600. Oh I have to thank Tommy for 2k of it! The infamous Tommy or 'The Troublemaker' as I call him, was all over me like a rash most of the night. I learnt from other players that if Tommy's nice to you - keep it that way... I just laugh all his annoying sleazy innuendos off, and stay out of pots with him in it; I've only played with him in 2 games and both times I claimed his scalp! It sure makes up for all the sleaze talk I have to endure!

My exit hand was a push with 5.2k holding AQ; got called by the same chipleader above with 99... Q on Flop, looking good for me... til the bloody river threw me out in 12th place with a 9. Sick. Found out afterwards they were paying out to 9th place... Grrrrr!

Overall apart from two mistakes, I was happy with how I played, I had great fun with the players on the first table! Second table was more serious, til a chatterbox by the name of Keith joined us... and never.... shut... up... once! LOL!

Good game - great structure - the standard was decent - best value in town too! I'll be back, and yes I'll be in on time next time!!!