Deep Stack Sit and Go Poker – Ending the Game
I had about 24k, the third place player had 18k and the big stack had just under 70k. The blinds were now 800/1600 with a 200 ante.
I was in the big blind again and both players limped in. I checked my option with Qd,3d. the flop came Ah, Qc, 3h. This was miraculous. I hit two pair and was hoping to trap someone who hit maybe top pair with a weak ace. The big stack checked, I checked, and the shorter stack shoved all-in for 17k. The big stack moved all-in as well. Now I was faced with a decision. Either player could have me beat with a set. More likely, they both had draws, or maybe one had an ace. If I folded and the big stack won, I would have had my 23k against his 87k heads up, about a 4-1 underdog. If I fold and the short stack wins, he would have just under 40k, the big stack would have about 50k and I with my 23k. Neither of those seemed good to me. If I call and lose and the short stack loses, I at least get $100 for 2nd place because I had was 2nd in chips when the hand started. I could also call and lose to both players and be knocked out 3rd with nothing. If I win, I get heads up with the chip lead.
I called. The short stack had a flush draw and the big stack had a weak ace with A,8.
I faded everything, knocked out 3rd place and took the chip lead heads up.
We both again limped into a pot. I had Q,9. The flop came Q, J, 4. I bet and he a little more than min raised me, and I called. The turn was a 10. now I had top pair and an open ended straight draw. We both checked. The river was an 8 of spades, giving me the small straight, but leaving k,9 as a possibly larger straight, and also adding 3 spades to the flop. He went all-in out of turn, oblivious. This was a little strange. He wanted to bet about 30k into a 20k pot. If he had a flush, I figured he would try and make a smaller value bet so I would call. I decided to bet 5k chips and see what he did. He instantly shoved again., for 25k more. I counted my chips and would have had about 25k left if I lost the hand.
I called. He was bluffing with ace high and I won the poker game.
The deep starting stack of the poker tournament allowed me to stay in the game even though I was not a very formidable opponent. I waited for my spot and made aggressive plays. I won my races toward the end and held up against draws. I now will be entering a $1,000 buy-in pokern event that I otherwise could not afford to play.
