Borgata Poker

Danie Negreanu

Borgata Poker Open 2004

A large map of the river propes Danie to a position among the leaders of chips

My plan when traveling cross-country to play a tournament is always to get plenty of rest and ensure that I arrive at the facility early enough for me to get acclimated.

So I booked my flight at the last minute and arrived in Atlantic City just before midnight the night before the tournament, both for planning.

When I went to register the tournament, the line was about three and a half miles long, and suddenly the panic in the game: This thing is not going to sell, it has been? I was really afraid that my dog, Mushu, and I came all this way and not get a seat. You know, it's funny, I had not had a dog since I was a child, and never really understood why people get so attached. Jennifer (Harman) would say things like, "Oh, I can not play too late, the dogs are home alone."

I reply: "So what? They are just dogs. They will be themselves. "

So I bought Mushu, my 5-pound Chihuahua. Now, I understand exactly what Jennifer was going through when she said she had to leave to go home and take care of his dogs. I'm totally sucked in. I can not go anywhere without my boyfriend. I called the Borgata in advance to ensure that Mushu to join me, and they obliged. It's a good boy and does not bark a lot or soil mats.

Finally, after waiting a nerve-racking, I did it at the front line, I guarantee one seat remaining in the tournament. All told, there would 302 participants and a prize pool of over $ 3 million. Mushu I took a walk in the park so he can make his needs, and finally went to bed at 4 am, so be well rested.

The only downside to bring my dog was that I had to wake up earlier. The tournament began at noon, but I have to get up early to take a walk for Mushu. Curiously, I could wake me up at 10:30. Take the dog for a walk, breakfast, and go to Hold'em poker tournament on time. Sweet! The Borgata has given us $ 20,000 in starting chips, and I had my stack to about $ 30,000 toward the middle of the day. I took a hard lesson for a small pot and $ 24.500 when the hand approached following keywords:

With blinds at $ 300 - $ 600 and an ante of $ 50, I got the first position with the 7 + + 8. Everyone folded to the button, which makes a total of $ 3,000 to go.

I do not know the player, but I suspected that his recovery meant he had a couple of high cards - either AK or AQ, or maybe even AA, KK, QQ or. The price seems reasonable, so I called his raise, and took the flop heads from outside the station: 5 + 3 2 +.

It was a decent flop for me, and I had many options at my disposal. I could try a semibluff on the flop or I could try to win a big pot if I hit my flush. In assuming my opponent had a big pair or a hand to the ace, I decided to check. He put another $ 3,000, which has a call easy for me. At this point, I do not know if I've looked high and a overpair.

The turn brought the 6. It is an ideal card for me. Not only did he give me a straight and a flush draw, he was also a scare card to the hand of my opponent. If he had no pair, he could not appeal, and if he had an overpair, it would be in a difficult situation.

I decided to use the head "low" and put $ 4,500. If I checked poker texas Holde. I would have to fear that my opponent bet too much for me to call. By building a fairly small amount, I'm a.