Page 10 - October 2006 • Southern California Gaming Guide

Jim Mercurio: Poker
IMad Genius or Just Mad (2–5 in the 2–5)
got tangled up in an interesting hand at Hollywood Park. At rst it will seem a little bit crazy, but I think ultimately there is a lesson to be learned about the psychology of the game, pot odds and executing a blu .
I was in the 2–5 no-limit game with about $300 in front of me. I was in the cut o with 25 o suit and there were two limpers. I made a raise to about 30 to try to steal the dead money and end the hand right there. I was able to isolate and play against one player (with just a few chips less than me) on whom I had position.
was that it would be really bad for my table image to back down.
e turn is a 5. So now I have a pair plus the gutshot. He bets out. My rst instinct is to fold, but then I look down to see that he has only bet $35. $35 into a $270 pot....what the hell? So let’s say you hate my raise, you
e op came down 369 rainbow. e player checked to me and I bet $50 into the $65 pot. I had a lot of fold equity but, technically, it was a semi-blu since I had four outs to make the gutshot and maybe win a big hand. e player
“Let’s say he has pocket aces and my only outs are another 5, a 4 or a deuce. Well, those seven outs give me a 15% chance to hit on the next card. I have about a 6:1 shot and
his bet is laying me almost 8 to 1.”
hate my semi-blu and you hate my calling his min-raise. But now, you have to evaluate the present situation on its own merit. Let’s say he has pocket aces and my only outs are another 5, a 4 or a deuce. Well, those seven outs give me a 15%
how easy it is for me to call him. But the pot’s now $420 and I’m getting over 4:1. Part of me was almost embarrassed to have to turn my cards over. I could fold and pretend that I was on a draw.
Before I make my decision, I look right at him. And I have been so focused on the math and the pot odds and my table image and his betting patterns, I have completely missed the fact that this guy is drunk as a skunk. Could he bet here with nothing? It’s possible.
...Continued on page 28
then min-raised me to $100.
I sort of berated myself for not just taking the free
card, but I realized I had to call. First of all, I am calling $50 to possibly win his $300 plus my hundred that is in there. 8:1 isn’t exactly what I would like to have here, but there are other factors. His min-raise could have been a weak stab at re-blu ng; maybe I had a shot at stealing the pot later. And, probably most importantly,
chance to hit on the next card. I have about a 6:1 shot and his bet is laying me almost 8 to 1. Whether I should even be in the hand is now moot; I have a clear call.
e river is a jack. He sloppily throws in his last $80. I have con icting tells. He does it fast which could mean that he is actually weak. But he also does it with the “what the hell” attitude that could mean the nuts. I am really thinking about folding since he knows
Which You Win?
On October 13th and 27th at 9:00PM, you could drive away with a BRAND NEW TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID or WIN one of TWENTY (20) $500 CASH PRIZES.
PALM CLUB MEMBERS RECEIVE:
■ One Free entry per Week
■ Additional entries received for every
200 points earned in October
Palm Club Members receive 1 FREE ENTRY per week, plus additional entries for
every 200 points earned in the month
of October.
Every Wednesday in October at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm and 10pm, we will randomly choose a machine. If you are playing at that machine with your Palm Club Card inserted, you will receive a $250 CASH BONUS!
Name ________________________________
Palm Club #____________________________
Date _________________________________
Emp __________________________________
Must be 18 years or older and a Palm Club member. One coupon per account per month.
Complete details at the Palm Club booth. Exp. 10/27/06.
Located just 12 miles east of I-15 off Hwy 76
For promotional information, please visit us at www.casinopauma.com or call 760-742-2177.
Page 10
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
October 2006
SGG
Poker: Wired Aces and River Rats