Scott Diamond

Last night was the first event of the HO Ho Holdem Series at the Bicycle Casino. I along with 310 other players signed up. Half of us thought it was a No Limit Event but to our surprise it was a shoot out style event where you have to win your table to continue on,much like a satellite.

I have never played a shoot out event so I was looking forward to playing. I have been playing good lately and as I looked at the other 9 players at my table I saw 4 very good players and 5 I have never seen before.

The button started on seat 9 where I was seated last night. Just as we were about to start, seat 10 to my left arrived and said he was at the wrong table. Some of the players chuckled and he asked where some cushions were. Because the cards were in the air he gave a porter 2 dollars to find him some cushions.

We started with 2000 chips. I was pleasantly surprised because generally at the Bike you start with 1500 chips.

I decided I was going to play premium hands and try and steal the blinds on the button tonite. I have been playing a little soft in position lately and I was told I should raise with any two cards on the button if there were a couple or no limpers in front of me.

I look down at my hand after 4 people limped and I had K J of spades,a marginal hand but good enough to raise on the button, but for some reason I just limped myself. I think it was because there were several quality players at the table who I have seen limp with kings and Aces before and it just didn't feel right to me, therefore I limped.

Well Mr need some cushions for my chair was a jovial type of guy,mid to late fifty's and he raised to 175 when the blinds were 25-25. There was 125 in the pot and I just didn't believe he had that good of hand. It folded to me and I decided to call. My thought here was the starting chips. The extra 500 chips gave us a little more play and I thought this guy might have a small pocket pair or even nothing he was just protecting his blind as a lot of players do.

The flop...Q spades-10 spades 9 clubs.. I flopped a king high straight and a straight flush draw. seat 10 was first to bet and he quickly threw out a 500 chip. I doubled checked my cards which I never do anymore and said, "All In'. seat 10 couldn't get his chips in the pot fast enough, and he turned over AA...OOPS, he did have a hand but as I showed my flopped straight he got up in disgust as the porter had just arrived back with his cushions, the turn and river were no help and before there were2 minutes of the clock he was gone.

One always needs a little luck in poker and I have said my skill level has been there so much lately, I just needed the luck to start coming around and I thought to myself, tonite is the night.

The levels were 20 minutes long tonite until the second round when they would go up to 40 minutes. I had plenty of time and with a double up on the first hand the strategy I wanted to use tonite was going to be possible because of my chip stack.

My theory soon was busted as a guy in seat 6 raised to 600 chips every time he had the button. A few times I had hands of KQ and Q10 and 22 in the big blind but he continually raised my big blind as if he was testing me. I didn't want to risk a 600 chip call when the blinds were still at 50-25 and 100-50, so I decided I would try and catch a hand and hope he would slip up.

Over the next three levels I had pocket 6's and flopped a set as there was an ace on the board. I didn't slow play I tossed in a bet hoping there was an ace in some ones hand but everyone folded. I then limped with 10-10 one hand with 5 others and a Q-10 of hearts flopped along with a 7 of clubs. everyone checked and I decided to see the turn just in case there was a flush draw. My experience at the Bike with flush draws, it is to hard to push people off of them here. Anyway the turn was a spade and I fired 600 chips at the pot. 4 Players called and as I suspected the 3 hearts hit the river and to my surprise everyone checked and when I showed my set they all folded. Nice pot for me and I was sitting at about 5800 in chips at the break,end of level 3.

I played steady and as usual the cards were not being kind I did pick up some blinds and antes on the button with 7-6 off suit I raised 3 times the blind and everyone folded.

Well it was down to three of us in level 6 I had about 4900 chips as the blinds and antes were eating into me and as I look down at AK of diamonds in the small blind Mr raiser threw in 1200 chips this time on the button as the blinds were 300-150 with a 75 ante. I looked at him and went all in and he immediately called with QQ. What a time for me, but I felt good and truly believed I was going to win this table and have a good night. The flop was all low, but there were 2 diamonds on the flop. The board bricked and he had me covered, so after 3 hours of play I was on my way home, again!! kicking myself.

Tonight is the 335.00 dollar NL event. The Bike didn't have any satellites last night because the turnout was about 100 more then they were expecting so all the dealers were dealing tournament table. Im taking my girls to a local amusement park today, Knotts Berry Farm so they can see the Christmas decorations and Snoopy.

Looking at the dates and upcoming events at the Bike I do not see me playing for awhile. If things change I will keep you posted. Also if you get a chance to get a copy of "The Scene" a poker magazine published by Denny Williams the Tournament Director at the Bike and his partner, Ron Kramer who is a legend in the poker industry who also works the tournaments at the bike, it is very good reading. You can contact Mel Judah,yes the silver fox at meljudah@hotmail.com he is the director of sales.

Hope your Thanksgiving was a very happy and festive one, Take Care all.