Champion of Poker

Hand 16: Cut-off, 8s-5s, UTG raises to £15 and it is folded around to me and I fold. I would have folded this anyway as I have changed gears now but the rest of the table do not know that I have. Stack size £607.

Hand 17: A-3, UTG calls, everyone folds to me and I fold. Stack size £607.

Hand 18: UTG, A-7, I fold Stack size £607

Hand 19: Big Blind, Q-7, Folded around to cut-off who calls, button raises to £30 and I fold. Stack size £602

Hand 20: Small Blind, 10c-7c, UTG calls, other players fold to me and I call, BB checks. Flop A-Q-5. I check, BB bets £12 and this ends matters. Stack size £597

Hand 21: Button, K-J, Everyone limps in and I fold. It is very tempting to call with this hand for a fiver and many players would raise. But many people play their hands as if they are independent of each other like spins on Roulette. I am playing to a set online poker strategy, being the only player on the table to fold is going to stand out. Players will start to think that I am now protecting my winnings. If they are not thinking it yet then they will after another couple of rounds. Besides the hand is marginal at best and big trouble at worst. Stack size £597

Hand 22: Cut-off, 5-4, Everyone folds to me and I fold. If I am in a fast gear then I would raise in this situation with little connectors. I like them because your cards are live if somebody plays with you. Stack size £597

Hand 23: 10-7, I fold. Stack size £597

Hand 24: UTG, Kh-10h, I fold, yes I was tempted again as this is a fair hand in a six handed poker game. But I did say two or three rounds before I change gears again. Stack size £597

Hand 25: Big Blind, 9-3, Folded to SB who calls and I check. Normally when I am playing in a fast gear then I will raise this weak call but I am trying to paint a picture for the future. Flop comes 9-2-8, SB checks and I bet £7 and take it. Stack size £602

Hand 26: Small Blind, A-Q, Folded around to cut-off who raises to £15, button folds and I fold. Chances are that my hand is best here and this is a very serious test of my game plan.

But my position is bad and if I call then the big blind may come along too. I avoid any potential big confrontation with a trouble hand and stick to my plan although I am fast approaching the time where I will be changing gears again. Stack size £600

Hand 27: Button, K-Q, UTG raises to £20, folded to me and I fold. There is a famous saying in poker “a bettor be, a caller never be”. Stack size £600

Hand 28: Cut-off, Q-3, folded to me and I fold. Stack size £600.

Hand 29: 6-4, I fold. Stack size £600

Carl “The Dean” Sampson