Cadillac Swims with the Fishes - Challenge session #1

I had some free time today so I figured it was as good a time as any begin working toward the donkey challenge. I sat down at a $.01/$.02 No-limit hold'em table with 8 other players on PokerStars. Before I began playing I set that I had 30 minutes of free time to play. If I was stuck or if I was ahead I had to cash out after 30 minutes.

Now, I don't consider myself to be a "GREAT" player, I would consider myself to be proficient or accomplished. Having said that, I was utterly amazed at how easy it is for an above average player to win at the $.01/$.02 limit! Before I began play I made a few assumptions and then formed a game play around my assumptions. Here was the plan:

Assumptions: (for players at the $.01/$.02 level)

1. People play too many hands
2. Players follow their hands too long and don't know when to get away from them
3. Players don't consider the strength of their kicker
4. Players follow their draw unprofitably
5. Players don't raise enough and call too much
6. Players don't consider what the other players have
7. Players don't recognize when they are drawing to the 2nd best hand

My Game Plan: (specifically for this session and this limit, I may adjust later)

1. I'm going to play straight-forward, sound poker. Nothing tickey or sneaky
2. Value bet because lots of calling stations will be here and won't bet for me
3. Players marry top pair, make them pay for this mistake
4. Shouldn't worry too much about getting trapped! I'll smell it coming!
5. Don't fall into the trap of limping with the rest of the table
6. Don't bluff! Have something to show down at the end because I'll probably get looked up!

Ok, that said the session was very profitable! It was very entertaining and it made me feel like the greatest poker player in the world! The patterns and ways the players played there hands they might as well played the hands open! I didn't see any tricky plan, few bluffs and no traps. I had bought in for the arranged $2.00 and cashed out $5.01 after the 30 minute limit. I could have stayed longer and played just as profitably, but I had set a limit and stuck to it.

Here is the most interesting and profitable hand of the session. I'll describe my decision making process and how I evaluated my play:

I was in the Big Blind dealt 3h 6d. The UTG seat limps (Player #1) seat 2 (Player #2) also limps. The action folds around to the small blind who completes (SB player) and I check (ME). My thinking at this point is:

So far in this game all big aces and pocket pairs were raising so I felt confident I wasn't up against any big hands. I figure the both early limpers have connectors or suited cards. The SB could have anything. I also know the UTG player has been the table captain and likes to be aggressive, this makes me fairly sure he would have raised with ANY decent holding.

The flop comes: Kh 6c 3c

I have middle 2-pair and I would say I am 80% confident I have the best hand. I could always be up against a suited K-x who hit 2-pair or set but it seems unlikely to me based on the way the these players have been playing. I'm first to act and knowing player #1 likes to be aggressive I "check" in the hopes he raises and I can set a trap! As I thought I check, player #1 bets $.08 but player #2 insta-calls, this doesn't make me very happy, especially with the 2 clubs on boards. The SB folds and action is to me.

If the 2 clubs weren't on board I would call here and let my trap take hold. However with 2 opponents and 2 clubs I can't wait. I check-raise to $.50. Much to my surprise Player #1 calls and player #2 moves all-in. I go to the tank: My gut is telling me player 1 is on a draw but player 2 has me puzzled? Is his hand made? I figure I'm either up against K-x and he is overplaying top pair, I'm dominated by a set or he has that K-3 or K-6. I think he would have raised preflop with a pair and he would have reraised on the flop with 2-pair so I figure he has top pair and a weak kicker so I move all-in myself. Both players call and I'm happy because I am sure I have the best hand!

The money is in the middle, we're all seeing the hand to the end and the cards get turned up. As I thought, I was ahead!! Player 1 had Kd 8d and player 2 had Ks Js. Bot players had over-played top pair! I happy to see I did't have to dodge a club and all I didn't want to see were 8's or J's! Lucky for me the turn and river were both bricks and I collected a nice pot of $4.61!

I'm looking forward to getting in some more hands and I'll post any hands that are interesting! I'm also going to try to post a list of good poker books I've read and would suggest for anyone to read!

see ya on the felt!

Cadillac