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Thanks for the advice guys. Here's how it went:
$100 buy in. 156 players - finished 26th (6 spots out of the money)
Wasn't too nervous before start or even through the first two hands. Third hand, I pick up AK on middle position and throw in 4xBB raise. Hand clearly trembling. Thought I was going to fall off the chair. I get one caller and the flop is rags. I make a continuation bet and take down the pot. Hands still shaking as I rake my chips in. I think it was more from being conscious of trying NOT to have my hand shaking that made it worse.
I picked up a pot about 4 hands later with AQ and that was about it for some time. While the levels were 20 minutes, I wasn't used to the pace of the hands per level. I was getting trash most of the day but I tried to stay disciplined and play "my game". As my stack started to get lower, I loosened it up a little and basically was able to take down enough uneventful pots to stay afloat but barely. Then, in middle position, I pick up 66 and raise. This is met with a call by the button and re-raise all-in by the BB. I muck, the button calls with A4 vs 99 for the BB. A4 backs into a straight to win it. Obvious fold for me, I thought, but now my stack is 3x blinds and antes.
I found I had to really think through counting up my stack and comparing to the blinds and antes and adjusting my play. I also found that it didn't seem like the guy's at the table were aware of that strategy. There were 2-3 stacks equal to or lower than mine who were still limping in. The table was pretty loose from the hands that I was seeing. Lots of weak aces and suited connectors going to the showdown. Lots of limping as well. I think I limped two hands - one was 98 off on the cutoff which was promptly raised by the button. The other was calling with A6(off) in the SB. There were 4 limpers, so I tried to get cute and see a cheap flop. BB didn't raise and I hit two pair on the flop. I tried a check-raise (a mistake, with two diamonds on the board) and no one bet. Turn, of course, comes off a diamond. Now I bet 1/2 pot - cringing and waiting to be raised - but I picked it up.
The final hand came after the break, 2 blind escalations, and me getting moved. I was pretty much back to all-in or fold and on the BB picked up KQ(off). Table folds to the button who raises. SB folds. I think for about 10 seconds which felt like 5 hours. Button had a huge stack and mine was almost in the dead zone so I shoved. He thought for a minute and called showing 44 which stood up.
All in all, an awesome time. I went with a friend who got bounced in 20 minutes. I think after my nerves calmed I was able to notice things I've read in books and here. Not really tells but just mannerisms and seeing who's playing lots of hands and who's playing tight. In hindsight, I think if I had been able to build a stack, I might have been able to attack a little more on the main table I was at (I only played 5 hands or so after I was moved and then eliminated). Another thing I learned - keep your eyes open! I finished 26th - 6 away from the money. Now, I though I played the last hand correctly given the situation (my stack, his stack, his position, mine, what hands he might raise with, etc), so I'm not made that I shoved. But I was totally unaware of the number of players left. I got moved and totally focused on the table - instead of glancing around the room and making a count. Would I have played KQ differently if I knew? Probably not. There were some big stacks at the new table and they were muscling people around so I figure KQ is as good a hand as any to try and stay alive with.
Ok, well, thanks again. No longer a casino virgin and I can't wait to get back.
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Originally Posted by Fnord
