. . . The Conclusion . . .

So what started as an idea finally took shape and turned out to be a fun evening. 19 out of the 22 registered players showed up to play in the CPN Private Poker Tournament. My experience was interesting as I started off playing extremely tight just to sit back and do a little observing. Not my typical style but in this event I thought I would do it that way. I soon noticed that most of the other players were doing the same thing. It seemed as if everyone was waiting for someone else to make the first move. I can't speak for the other table although I would bet it was a bit the same. A player that I know from playing online even commented that I was playing much tighter than what he has seen from me online.

This brings up a good point. Do players play poker differently online versus live casino action? I would bet that they do.

So as things progressed I won a few small pots, making sure I had the goods before putting myself in any jeopardy. After a few of those small wins I stole a pot from an unsuspecting victim and won without having to reveal my hand. Showing my cards at this stage of the game would have been disastrous to my table image.

So later I was dealt Ace-8 of Clubs. I think I limped in the early position and the flop came all Clubs. Sitting on the absolute coconuts, I immediately sent my brain the signal to stop, breath, and do nothing . . . don't give away your hand by making any sudden movements. Surely other players do this or have other tricks to control how their body reacts. I mean hey, I know this is not the world series of poker but it really doesn't matter to me. It's all about the moment and the moment for me was to get maximum action on my hand. A hand that really shouldn't lose, but is still vulnerable. As it turns out, the guy on the other end of the table bets out 1000 and now its just him and me. A fairly heavy bet considering how low the blinds were. He must have hit something, but he is beat. I muster up enough courage to refrain from putting him all-in and just smooth call. I want to set the trap. A small raise may have also been a good play, but I chose not to do it. I wish I could remember what the turn and river card were, but I don't. My head was locked in on the fact that I had flopped the nuts and I really don't care what comes next. I am only focused on maximum extraction. On the turn, the guy goes all-in. Happy days are here! Not only do I not have to think about what to bet or raise, I am presented with best gift I could have received. An opportunity to get all of my chips in with the best hand. This guy has me easily covered and was the chip leader at the time. I stopped and paused for a brief second just to take the moment in. I was really proud of the fact that this guy was going to double me up and put me close to chip lead. What a great game! What brilliant play on my part. I didn't care that this tournament buy-in was only $30. No, it didn't matter. It was the moment of knowing that you are going to punish the guy who has the nerve to test you on all of your chips. Like I said, I didn't really look at the turn card although I don't think it was a club. Not that it would have mattered. So I call. I mean, of course I call. Only a retard would fold the absolute nuts with a chance to double through. We open our cards before the river comes down. I show my monster hand, and the other guy shows that he has 2 pair. Did he flop it, turn it? Don't know, don't care, didn't even look. All I know is that I am doubling up and will be a serious contender for the prize money.

Then the river comes. The board pairs and he makes a full house. I didn't really even notice it, I was counting my chips or chickens before they'd hatched. Finally a signal gets sent to my brain that says "you lost". Not just the hand but you have busted out of the tournament. My head is screaming "no way!", and I have nothing left to do but sink down in my chair and ponder how I lost this tournament to a 6 outer. I wasn't just outdrawn. I was outdrawn by a guy who thought he already had me beat (no offense meant for the guy). I'm not sure which is worse. Busting out in 5th from last place wasn't so bad I guess. I came to my senses in about 3 more seconds and began to laugh about it and then I congratulated him on his nice hand.

I think I finally understand why people play poker. It's those moments that grab you. Win or lose it's the intensity, the anticipation, and then the result. It's realization of what's transpired and where things fit. Then there's the questions you ask yourself. Did I make a mistake? Could I have played it better? Was I outplayed? When all those questions are answered, its amazing when you come to the conclusion that you did nothing wrong. You couldn't have played the hand any better. You did everything right and you were outdrawn. Someone valued their hand as much as you valued yours and then got lucky enough to beat you.

That my friends is why we play poker. It's the emotional element and the luck factor that brings us back for more. We know we should have won but didn't. The reverse is also true. Sometimes we know we should have lost but didn't. The randomness of the cards can sometimes level the playing field between a skilled veteran and a beginner. Anyone can win!

So the tournament went well and most people had fun (I think). The next CPN tournament will accommodate an additional 11 players and its almost full already. Looks like CalgaryPoker.net is going to continue offering private games in the future. More fun, more people, and more money! Come play with us sometime:

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