It's been awhile, a very long while, since I played a decent (in length) session of no-limit hold'em. Today I journeyed to the Valley, to have dinner with my parents, and spend some time with my recuperating father. So I headed to the Bike to play some poker.

When I got to the Bike (around 10am), there was an open seat in the $300-$500 nlhe game ($5/$5 blinds). The game had gone all night, and it showed in some of the players' eyes. I started in the one seat (the very big stacks were on my right, which I wanted). And the obviously sleep-deprived were on my left.

I didn't play a hand beyond the flop for some time, as I started with my usual trash. There were both plenty of multi-way limped hands, and a smaller number of raised hands (to $25 - $45). As I didn't hold many pairs the entire day (6 total, I believe), and had AK twice, AQ once, and suited connectors twice, folding was in vogue for me.

Anyway, I was on the button, there were two limpers, and I saw AcKc. I raised to $30, the blinds folded, the first limper (a sleep-deprived professional boxer, and that's not a joke) called, and the other limper folded.

The flop came As8c3h, and the limper bets $75. I put him on a move. Of course, he could have flopped a set, but I want to put pressure on him. For all he knows, I could have AA, and I'm certain he doesn't hold that. I put him on a weaker ace. I raised to $200. He immediately shoves all-in.

I think for a few moments, and find that he has me covered. I have $210 left (his all-in was $315 or so more). I put him on either AK, AQ, or A8. It's $210 for a $480 pot, and if I'm right, the worst case scenario is that I have 3 outs with redraw outs. I end up calling, and find that I was almost right in my read -- he had A3. I have 6 outs on the turn, and at least 9 outs on the river (possibly more depending on the turn). I actually make an out on both the turn and river: Kh on the turn, 8h on the river. He says, "I have a flush," and shows Ah3d. I've learned to wait to see the flush, and I don't see it, so I double up.

About 40 minutes later, the boxer (who has a fight in two weeks in Utah) limps, along with four others, and I check my option in the big blind with the monstrous 6h4d. The flop come 7s7c5s. Not the worst flop for my hand, and after the small blind checks, I check. Everyone checks, but I get a tell that the boxer hit the flop. The turn is the 3d. The small blind bets $30, and I call, fairly certain that the boxer will shove with his remaining $150. He does. The small blind folds, and I call. The river is the Kh, and he disgustingly mucks his 87o. Unfortunately, he had no more money....

My other big win was a big pair-big pair hand, when I had KK and faced JJ and we both flopped sets. That was pure luck, although perhaps my opponent can fold pre-flop (he's a good player). I limp UTG (at this point there was a lot of limping), a sleep-deprived Detroit Tiger fan raised to $20, good playing opponent calls, the blinds fold, and I make it $100 (total). The Tiger fan thinks...and calls. I guess there's no way for my opponent to fold now, but he's very unlucky when the flop comes KQJ.

I built my stack to $1750, then lost $220 or so on this hand. I had KhKd, and my loose rhe limped. I raised to $30, and he was the only caller. The flop comes QhJh5h, giving me the overpair and the second-nut flush draw. He checked in the dark, I bet $40, and he called instantly. I put him one either a flush (say Th9h, or Ahxh), a flush draw/straight draw combination, or a set. He was loose pre-flop but he folded when he completely missed flops, so he had something.

The turn was a black 3, and he again checked in the dark. What would you do? I decided to check behind him, because he wasn't going to fold if he had any of those hands--and I was certain he did have one of those.

The river was the 2h, giving me the second nut flush. He instantly bet $150, and I had to decide what he held. Unless he specifically had the Ah as part of his draw, I had the best hand. I called. He had AhTd.

Oh well.

I still cashed out over a $1000 winner, which is fine.

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Cal won up at Wazzu today, and they will be favored in all the rest of their games but one: at USC on November 18th. Cal's game next Saturday against UDub will be on FSN at 12:30pm PDT. Go Bears!

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My father is slowly improving. He thanks everyone for their well-wishes, as do I.