Tonight was my first ever game of Texas Hold'em. All the stars are doing it, and I wanna be part of the cook kids, so I decided to do it too. I have played poker enough to know the basics, but there were parts I had to learn as I went. Low bidder and high bidder was completely new to me, and I had a minor heart attack when I had to deal first (I expected a full time dealer, like the stars get). So when I didn't know to "burn one" before the flop, the entire table was treated to the information that I was, in fact, a newbie.
I was not without a game plan however. I had just spent the previous two hours shooting pool with David, who is quite the hand at poker. I knew enough to at least play a decent game, if not a great one. Add to this, Gabriel was at my table and I know his play style: conservative.
As the hands went on, I was surprised at how easy some people are to read. Who cannot walk away, and who only bets their cards. I had a string of early success, and a growing pile of chips. I also noticed I had more eyes on me though the hand, but I found the players would look away if I turn to look at them.
My undoing would be Gabriel, and not because he played a better game. If it came down between us two, it was me who could not walk away. The chance for out playing a personal friend over took my ability to think clearly and fold when needed. Instead I blew my large cache of chips in only two hands. One was early, and took my early gains away because of my uncharacteristic raising, and the second was later in the game, when only a handful of the initial 20 players were left (we started as two separate tables and later merged), when Gabriel had picked up on my weakness and out raised me; "forcing" me to go all in to play out the hand.
If there was any justice for me, it would be Gabriel following my advice on a hand that cost him big (he did manage to play on and placed high enough for the finals). He had a nice pocket, queen and 8 I think it was, suited. After the forth card was dealt, three hearts were on the table: a possible flush for pocket hearts. At this point I would have gone all in myself, acting as if I had the flush. Gabriel had clubs, but did have a pair of queens going. After the fifth card was turned, the player beside Gabriel joked that he needed to "see Gabriel's face" before making his bet. Naive we both were to fall for such a ploy, but a good lesson learned. He ended up having the flush. I imagine it would have been quite funny had I been playing and gone all in, in effect trying to bluff the flush to the player who had the flush.
Next time, I'll check friendship at the door and remember that the game of poker is played best by those who are able to stay clear headed no matter what is going on around the table!
Posted By Mike On Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Filed under life poker |
Comments (1)
Is this thing on?
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Thursday, August 25, 2005
8:14:00 PM
I love hold em! I still haven't gotten the nerve to play the big boys at the casinos yet, but there are tons of places around here that have free tournements. I haven't won, yet. I am a big fan of all types of poker...three card, texas and omaha, pai gow, caribbean stud, strip...
