Main Line Poker Club February 12 2008

Once again I bring my meger public school education into the lair of the private school giants to do battle at the felt. We started 6-handed because our game is still not a priority for some of the members. I.B. and M.B. were notably absent, but M.B. played online so his excuse is suspect and under investigation.

Upon entry I was pleasantly surprised to find a new octogon table with leather surface providing the dealer with a nice "zing" to the far reaches of middle position. We were happy to have one new player fill in, having declined an offer to play in a $25,000 game, and we hope to see more of him in the future. We played our usual 3 SnGs, and the table talk was very much centered around the upcoming Conshohocken Classic. We are confident we will have a good ITM showing from our group there on Saturday.

Here are some observations and summaries.

Game #1: I achieved an early lead based on good, solid starting hands and flops that hit. I dried up in the middle while J.S. got a great rush of cards to bust me on the 2-person bubble (a feat highly enjoyed), precisely as B.D. arrived with his KingPrussia jinx. Newly married S.L. takes second place.

Game #2: Again I get great cards and hit nice flops for an early lead, and again the middle game dries up. It is here that I mention some of my online woes and beats, but decline the advice to revert to 1$ heads up matches. When I'm not getting my chips in good anymore, I'll just walk away. Of course B.D. playes the short stack superbly and overtakes the lead, and ends up chopping with W.E. for 1st while S.L takes another respectable 3rd.

Game #3: Again I mount an early lead with great cards and flops. I win a key race JJ vs S.L. A7 and I'm chip leader near the bubble. B.D. makes a gutsy call AI with 55 at UTG+2 against S.H. at UTG and the 55 holds up. W.E. busts on the bubble with a close hand (can't remember), leaving B.D., noobie B.L. and R.W. down to three-handed. Here B.D. turns up the heat and executes his end-game fearlessly, knowing I am a whimp in the blinds. I suspect collusion with his buddy B.L. to bust me but he shows mercy and makes a key fold. This act of kindness deserves a link to his sports blog, which now features a podcast. Kudos for forging ahead with new technology. I'm a regular reader even though he has yet to interview me about my hole-in-one that landed in the cup or being the only person in the history of Wall High School to hit a baseball onto the roof. Anyway I have B.L outchipped when he shoves 55 to my 44 and it holds up. A few hands later I pick up AA but get no action. B.D. continues to pilfer my kids' lunch money until he shoves TJo into my 99 and flops a J. My useless public school class rank of 4 and my Most Likely To Succeed award cannot help me here against this Blue Devil and I bust in 3rd.

Results
Game #1: 1) J.S. 2) S.L.
Game #2: 1) B.D. & W.E. 3) S.L.
Game #3: 1) B.D. 2) B.L. 3) R.W.