My poker night

Most of you regulars will know that I have a passion for poker, and have seen some of my posts on the subject. Well, I'm also registered with about 40 poker sites on Facebook, as well as at most of the casino's, and small private games around town. Don't really play any of the private games, as the stakes are usually high, and my cash flow is suspect at best. Also, with the advent of Hold 'Em Poker, and the massive growth in players, there are a lot of donkeys out there with more money than brains, making it more difficult to play / find a descent game.

Anyway, for some time the local casino has been hosting tournaments, and cheaper satellite games in which you can win a seat to the big take tourneys. I get all the sms invites, but don't bother to go. Last night I decided I wanted to go.
Go to acehighpoker to see details if you care to.

ZAR 550 buy in, ZAR300 rebuys for 90 minutes (that's a long time to have to put up with donkeys) and then a ZAR500 top up, and the game goes into freeze out, i.e. no more rebuys. when u r out, u r out! Now that's my game. At this point all the "all in " rebuy, donkey players either play a conservative game, or they go out!

SO, I buy in. Game starts after 8 (late, so I'm not too impressed), but the upside is there are only 27 players. Guaranteed first place an entry into the ZAR10,000 buy in freeze out!

I pulled a difficult table, and had a hard time staying in. Lots of bully betting, pot stealing, all in calls. I folded some seriously good hands, which normally I would play, and some winning hands as it turned out after seeing the flop cards. Anyway, I had to do one rebuy to stay in the game. I wasn't out, but low stacked. I soon learned who played how, and made some calls which gave me the pot (can do this when u are in position).
Eventually, at 15 to 9 the tables are closed. 15 Minute smoke break, leg stretch, then we all in for the final freeze out. At ths point I'm probably the lowest stack, but now we're playing my game. I'm also in for ZAR850, and I don't want to have wasted my money.

Interesting to see some players maintain their same stupid betting game into the freeeze out. They are soon out and on their way. By 11 pm, I'm still there, some players have moved on, some moved tables (they do this to balance the load so to speak). Some of the big mouth players at my table are gone, some are there, but taking strain. I take one or two on, with good hands, and they run. SOME LOOK AND PAY THE PRICE.

By 1pm it's final tabe! And I'm on it. last 10. The prize structure is announced.
Due to the high take of rebuys and top ups at 9 pm (single purchase of chips for ZAR500) there are now 4 guaranteed seats in the ZAR10k game, and 2 seats into a ZAR1650 freeze out next week Thursday. First prize there - a seat into the ZAR10k game!
SO, I don't have to win this thing out right, but have to stay in till at least 6th. One by one the guys start to take some risk, and fall. I fold A/J, A/8 suited, Q/9 suited, man this is killer, as these are good hands to play. But I'm not here to feed into the greed of those desperado's, so I fold and wait. I have to get cards sometime when I'm in position.
I make final 6! At this point I know worst case I'm back here next week for the ZAR1650 freeze out, and I have a second chance at the big ticket. Time to pick a hand and go all in.
I pull pocket 10's, and I'm first caller post Big blind. All in. Everyone folds to me. By now they know I'm not a donkey, only play good hands, and don't take risks. So I scoop that pot. Show my hand.
A few more hands, and I'm big blind again. A/4 - suited. One of the other guys, drunk as a skunk, and who was chip leader for a long time, but is now down to 110 000 chips, same as me, goes all in.

It's 2.45 am. The blinds are killer now - 20k/10k, I'm really tired, need to get up for work in the morning, and have a ticket, so I look.
Damned if he didn't draw pocket K's!!! Anyway, my A is still good, but doesn't hold up, so that's me out! 5 Left, and they decide to negotiate with the game manager. he need to get in a further ZAR8800 to give away another ZAR10k seat, so between them they raise this (about ZAR1700 each) pay it in, and the game is over. 5 x 10k tickets and 1 x 1650 F/O ticket, 3.50 am.
Damn it was a long night. And next week will be worse. A field of about 60 players is expected for the ZAR1650 freeze out.

Salagatle!