DON’T PLAY LIKE A GIRL
Today, I got up after a good night’s sleep. I ate a healthy breakfast and went to the poker room to play a couple of hours. The staff was just putting together a new 2/5 game, so I bought in for $500. The table was composed of several very accomplished cash players (locals) and a LAG Asian. These players joined our game to wait for the 5/10 to start up for the day. At this point, I should have not played this table. I knew several players were capable of outplaying me, but I thought I could play careful to avoid their traps. I was doing fairly well, especially after doubling up. We got it all in with KK vs. AA pre-flop. My KK were good when I 4-flushed for a double up to $860.
In the second hour, two of the sharks left and were replaced by unknowns. The Asian remained. This guy would play ATC Preflop for up to $45. I saw him capable of firing three barrels without making more than second pair with crappy kicker. So, I should have known to be very careful, when I peeked down UTG to see Ad, As. I bet $30, which was a large bet for me to open with pre-flop. It was called in two places, one of which was the Asian in the small blind. The flop comes 575, with two diamonds. Check. Check. I c-bet $115. This was a usual c-bet amount for me. The first checker folds and the small blind goes into the tank. He asks how much do I have. As I spread my stack of 100’s, he asks,’ Whatcha got, a big pair?” To which I do not respond or make a sound. I do not allow myself to breathe fast or stiffen. I hold a relaxed posture. He tinkers with his chips and says, “All in”. Now the action is back to me. This is where I lost my presence of mind and “insta-called” by pushing all my chips in as well. I lacked the discipline to evaluate what he could make that move with. I am sure it was clear to the table this guy had a 5.
This was an amateur mistake of grandiose proportions. This same mistake has cost me many a tournament and countless dollars. Why can’t I learn to avoid this? Over the past three years, the amount of times I fall into this trap has certainly lessened, but it still crops up from time to time.
I did leave the table after this hand. I just wish I had said, “Why did I play like a girl?” to the guya as I left!