My First Tournament Experience
On Saturday morning February 26th I drove down to Foxwoods for the Limit Hold'em Tournament I could tell you that I was cool and calm as I entered the poker room but that would be a lie. My adrenaline level was on the upper end of the spectrum. Somehow the casino had taken on a new air of excitement and wonder. I was about to enter unknown territory. I had a feeling of anticipation as if I was climbing the first peak of the Desperado roller coaster at Buffalo Bills Casino, anticipating with a certain nervous energy the 200ft plunge that would that send me on an 80 mile an hours thrill ride. I admit that I have become somewhat complacent in the casino. I hadn't felt this excited since the first time I bellied up to the craps table years ago when I decided to learn that game.
I approached the tournament registration counter and gave them my player's card and twenty-dollar fee. I was handed my entry slip with table nine seat six printed on it. I was told to keep the slip handy because they would need to sign it if I decided to use my one time re-buy. I proceeded to the table and took my seat. It was 9:50 am. The table quickly filled up. As we sat down the dealer checked our slip and handed us $1,000 in tournament chips. Each level of play is 20 minutes long. There is a ten-minute break after the fourth level. My goal was to make it to the first break .At 10 am the tournament director announced there were 112 player and they would be paying eighteen places. He then proceeded to tell the dealers to "Shuffle up and deal!"
The button starts at the number ten spot on the table. That meant I would be in the middle position for the first hand. The very first hand I was dealt was the 8c and 3d. Not quite the worse hand of 2 and off suit, but pretty close. I folded. A few hands later I was in the big blind with a J7. There were three callers and I checked the option. The flop [brought no help and I folded after there was a bet. That was the only hand I played at level one. I took my re-buy before round two giving me an additional Thousand in chips.
One humorous incident occurred in level two. One player in early position raised immediately. The flop brought QQ9. He bet and had four callers. The turn was another nine, two pair on the board. He bet and all called him. The River was a King. He bet and all called him. He turned over a pair of deuces and announced that he had "Three Pair." He was upset when the dealer explained that only five cards play. One player had a full house anyway.
My first win came near the end of level two play. I was dealt a pair of Kings, which I raised. The flop brought a K, 9, 7. The turn was a Jack The River was a six. At this point I felt a rush as my emotions were running sky high. I scooped a big pot and it felt great. By the time the break came I had had one other small win. I had participated in about nine hands including the times I was in the blinds.
Playing selective starting hands lhad gotten me to the first break. By this time I had settled down and was comfortable with the procedures and protocol of the game. Any nervousness or apprehension had long given away to the pure excitement of the competition. I had $1,900 in chips to start level five. I also noticed that there were only six tables left out of the eleven that started. I had made it past many of the other players. Unfortunately I didn't make it much farther that day. As the blinds increased the quality of my hands decreased. After I was knocked out I made the following observations:
The tournament was a great learning experience.
You don't have to be an expert to compete.
Most players are friendly
I have the confidence to be a competitive player.
It was a lot of fun!!
The "Tournament Bug" has bitten me I plan to enter more of these in the months ahead. I have set a personal goal to make it to the final table or farther before year's end. I will keep you informed of my progress. Now it's on to a live game.
Good Luck
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Until next time, remember:
"Luck comes and goes...Knowledge stays forever."