Thought I'd share a recent hand I played in at the Heartland Poker Tour Main Event inTama, IA. I am interested to hear any feedback.
We just moved into the money (30 people left). The hand takes place in the 1st hand in the money. I have played very solid - actually the best of my life all day. I am at about 85k in chips (1st has under 200k and several under 40k). I have not had to show any bluffs to anyone at this table and have only been all-in 1 time with the 2nd best going in all day so I am viewed as a solid player who is not risking alot of chips when 2nd best.
I am the BB 2500 / 5000 with a 500 ante I believe. 3rd to act raised it to 25000 (he had about 5k more than me going into the hand. Everyone folded to me. Based on the raisers play all day, I put him on any A face, A suited or 10's or lower. I have seen this from him in almost any position the last hour of the bubble and almost never challenged. I also watched him fold this when re-raised a couple of times.
My hand is 10 10. My thoughts here are fold or all-in. I don't see any logic to calling here and letting him hit while giving up a large % of chips. Based on my read and his actions, I really put him on 1 or 2 overs with at least the A. I also put the 7 seat on A something as he almost always calls with an A and he really struggled before folding.
After alot of thought, (do I fold and move on - just losing the blind and ante? Do I call and try to out play him after the flop? Do I push and hope to take down a large pot or possibly double up?) I pushed All-in. He got very uncomfortable, said "I think I'm behind but I am committed" and called which left him with about 5k.
He turned over A 10.
I really like discussing hands before knowing the outcome, so I am curious on everyones thoughts here on both of our play.
Check back later for the result of the hand and how far I placed in the money.
StevenBVT
I really don't have a lot of in-depth commentary on this hand except that people's play can change once they are in the money. For some people (especially where the buyin was cheap), being in the money is a signal to go ahead and start playing more aggressively with increasingly marginal hands. They figure, they've won their money back, so let's see if I can maybe get agro and take down some pots. So, you may have to adjust or open up the range of hands that you put your opponents on.