Day 1: “Real Money”

One Saturday, I joined FullTilt, tried to fund my account but couldn’t. I played a little for play money.

Later that day a friend, let’s call him Brian, also joined FullTilt and was able to fund his account. Even though we have the same bank, live in the same county and have the same credit card, I was not able to fund mine (well not directly from my credit card). While Brian waited for me to keep trying to fund my account, he sat down at a single table sit n’ go. Eventually I gave up and suggested that he lend me some, which he did.

Brian transferred half of the $100 he put in his account and recommended that I play a cash game while I waited for him to finish his game.

I sat down at a $.10/.25 table and put down $25. I was dealt AK off on the first hand of the night. I raised to $1.25 in late position and had a single caller. The flop came down AK? rainbow. I thought I might have the best hand, but feared the possibility of AA or KK. So I bet half the pot to test the waters. I can’t remember the exact numbers, but the pot must have been around $3.50, so I must have bet about $1.75. Smooth call. At this point I put him on one of those 2 hands AA or KK. I’m losing. Until the turn, an ace. I think “serves him right for slowplaying pocket kings” and remind myself that he can’t have AA because I have 1 and there are 2 on the board. I drag the betting slider all the way to the right and click the bet button. First hand on the site and there goes $25 to the middle. Unbelievably he calls.

Sometimes you really wonder what people are thinking. He turns over A 9 off suit. What?!? He’s drawing dead and I just doubled up to $50.

I am a poker machine. This isn’t so hard. My play money education has paid off. I fire up GTalk and let Brian know that I’ve already made $25.

Twenty minutes later I fire up Gtalk to let Brian know that I’ve lost that $50. I played terrible hands. I played any ace. I played queens with a low suited card. I raised every time I thought I had anything worth playing. I stole a few blinds, won a few small pots, but lost a few big showdowns. I lost most of it slowly. I lost the last $12 on a stone cold bluff.

I am an idiot, a mark, a fish.

Brian and I play a single table sit n’ go for $2 + .25. I play well at the beginning. I’m the chip leader for the first 25 hands or so. I’m dominating these guys with my hyperaggressive play. I play 2 hands poorly. I’m gone.

Brian is out a few hands later. He wants to know if I want to play again.

I’m tired and the baby is crying.

Goodnight, thanks for playing. Come back tomorrow.