Res Ipsa Poker

Just the words that were in my head when the alarm started beeping. No idea why.

Last night was all setups, all the time. I played in three events - the dollar token frenzy, the Bodonkey and the big token frenzy. Took a pass on the Skills Series knowing that once again the endless series of brick-brick-bricks would send me into a rage (plus I need to save my pennies for BBTree).

First up, dollar token frenzy. I play suited junk on the button. I make two pair on the turn when nobody's shown any strength. I lose to a flopped straight and a flopped bigger two pair. Rigged.

Next up, Bodonkey. I manage to fold AJ or AQ at least four times when someone has raised it before me - and EVERY time the raiser shows AK (or AQ once when I had AJ). I play like crap - more on that in a second - and when my M finally hits 5, this happens: I get AQs in the SB. Folds around to me. I just jam, which may not have been optimal but who cares. Of course the BB has AKo. Of course. Of [censored] course.

I missed out on several opportunities to try and get something started. I actually had superior cards - AA twice and QQ three times in less than two hours. The worst hand of all was holding 65s. I'm on Jordan's left and call a raise. I flop an open ender, turn the straight which also puts a flush on the board. I donk call his turn bullet - no, you don't have a flush you pot-betting mister you and I'm gonna hurt you on fifth - but die on the river when a fourth club comes. Check check. Jordan has the two of clubs. Flush good. Fawk.

Last stop, the big token frenzy. That thing was mostly bloggers, er, well, there were a lot anyway.

Here's your setup:

It's a turbo MTT. Blinds are up to about 50/100 (all of this is from memory, but it should be pretty accurate). 100ish players left, about 20 tokens awarded. I have about 1380 behind after posting the big blind - in other words, I've done nothing so far. I get QQ for my big blind hand.

UTG open shoves for a little less than I have.
UTG+1 shoves for about 1900 total - more than I have.
Folds to the SB, who shoves for less than I have.

W. T. F?

I'm sure the proper play here is to fold, but how close is it? When UTG and UTG+1 shoved, I felt pretty good, like I might have the best hand. Two big aces? One big ace, one smaller pair? I wasn't so happy when a third player shoved.

Because I'm a donk and I wanted the chance to (almost) coast to a token, I called. UTG had 99. UTG+1 had JJ. SB had AKo. I don't think I could have hoped for much better. Way ahead.

{insert laugh track here}

Yeah, right. J on the turn, I don't catch a Q on the river. Setup complete.

Just another night at the tables.