The Idiot End
I was playing in a 3/6 game at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. I had been playing a fairly tight game but I was determined to play the hands I entered aggressively. This was only the second time I played in the casino and I was trying my best to keep my concentration on the game and avoid making any mistakes.
I was ahead a few dollars and it was my turn as the big blind. I looked at my pocket cards and saw the five of hearts and six of clubs. If I had not been the big blind I would have folded without a second thought. There were five callers but no raises so I checked the option and waited for the flop.
The flop brought the 9h 8s and 7d. I had to look twice. YES!! I had flopped a straight. On the outside I was very cool as I bet my hand. Two players folded and the other three called my bet. The turn was the 2c and no help.
I bet again and this time everyone folded to the guy on the button. To my surprise he said, "raise" as he put his $12 in the pot. I thought to myself, What's this joker trying to do? No way is he going to bluff me out of this pot. "Reraise!" I called as I slid another $12 in the pot. He called and the dealer turned the final card. It was the 3h and no help again.
This was going to be a nice pot. I was only thinking about how lucky I was to flop the straight. I once again confidently bet my hand. The other player looked at me and slid $12 in the pot and said, "Raise."
"Ok" I thought. I'll just call his raise and collect my money. Won't this guy be surprised when I turn my cards My smugness and euphoria was shot lived as I looked in utter surprise as he turned over the ten and Jack of clubs. He had also flopped a straight and he had the high end.
I had heard the low end of a straight called the "Idiot End." Now I knew why. I was blinded by my own straight that I neglected to look at the possibility of another player holding a JT. I was the idiot in this case. I did however learn an important albeit expensive lesson. You can be sure that I will not make that mistake again and I will stop and take a closer look at the board and it's possibilities the next time I am raised.
Until next time, remember:
"Luck comes and goes...Knowledge stays forever."
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