I recently won a large pot on a $1 – $2 no limit Texas Hold ‘Em game at my local casino. I played the hand for maximum profit and raked in over $250, but when I finally looked over at my opponent, I felt like crying.
Poker is generally about competition. While we may enjoy socializing with the other players, we are always in competition. It is a game that generally favors aggressive players, provided they are skilled and exercise good judgement. I do care about other people but there isn’t usually much room for compassion in poker competition. I normally do a good job of differentiating my good natured day-to-day disposition and my hard nosed poker disposition.
This particular hand was obviously a little different from most. In early position, I held K K in my hand and made it $10 to go. Three other players remained and the flop brought K 6 6 giving me the nut full house. I slow played and the hand was checked around to the button. The player on the button (who had just joined the game) bet out $25. I smooth called as did one other player.
The other player folded. Similar action occurred on the turn, building a nice sized pot. We lost one more player during this round of play, leaving just me and the player on the button. I was having trouble containing my excitement when the river came. The only hand that could beat me was if my opponent was holding 6 6 in the pocket. Based on the betting patterns of the player on the button, I did not believe he had two 6’s.
I felt it was more likely that he had a 6 for trips or possibly a lower full house. The player on the button bet out $50. I instinctively pushed all in. The player on the button briefly went into the think tank and then called my all in. He showed K 6 for the lower full house just as I had suspected.
