For my first post on OCJ I thought I’d tell you about a lesson I learned the hard way in two separate tournaments. I’ll defend my play in both situations, I just chose the wrong time, err, opponent to try these plays.

The first situation happened at a home-game tournament. I was on the button and had 2h 3h. One player limped in from middle position. Since it was unraised, I simply called. The flop came out 4s 5s 10d. While I missed the hearts entirely, I like the open ended straight possibility. Especially because if an ace hits, I’ll likely be paid off if somebody hit their pair of aces. I checked, the big blind checked and so did limper. The turn came 8c. I made a bet of just less than the size of the pot. The big blind folded and the limper called. Here comes the important part. The river was the 4d. As it was turned over, I watched my opponent shake his head. I put him on a missed spade flush draw and bet the size of the pot expecting him to fold. After nearly a full minute of consideration, he called. He flips over his cards. Qs 6s.
The second situation happened at a tournament at a casino here in Vegas. The blinds were 50/100. I was one seat off the button and had A/10 of spades. The player under the gun (first to act after the big blind) limped in for 100. Everybody folded around to me. I raised to 600. Everybody folded back to the original limper. He called. The flop came out 2s 4c Jd. The first guy checks and I bet out 600. He thinks a minute and then calls. The turn was a Qh. Now I know there is no possible flush draw, he may have a straight draw at this point so I want to get him off the hand right now. He checked over to me. I see he has 1500 in chips left. I bet out exactly 1500. He considers for a minute and finally makes the call saying, “I just have to see it.” He flips over Ah Kc. The river was a blank and he took down the pot.

When you put money in to a pot initially, you will likely have to put more money in later in order to defend it. The saying goes, “Don’t leave your children in the pool to drown.” Both of my opponents showed weakness by not betting and I took the initiative to “rescue my children.” If I’m on the opposite end of either of these plays, I fold in both situations. Though, I would likely have played both hands different given the situations.

The point being, be careful who you try to bluff. You may get called down with an embarrasing hand that still beats your embarrasing hand.