Every time I play poker, I have a game plan. For the most part the plan is constant and static, it doesn’t change much. Every once in a while, I’ll try to incorporate something different just to try new things, but I do stick to certain principles. One thing I truly believe in is getting my money in the pot when I have the best of it. When you can consistently do this, you will come out on top most of the time. Sure, you can always get outdrawn, that’s the nature of the game, but as long as you put your money in when it’s good, you will make money. Period.

That brings me to this week’s hand of the week. Generally, I tend to take it relatively easy when I first sit down at a game just so I can get a feel of what’s around and how player’s tendencies look in that particular day. However, this day, the game just started and we were a 4-handed table. I don’t usually like shorthanded games but I figured I’d make the best of it. On the second hand of the day, I looked down to see 10h-Jc. I personally like this hand because of all the straights that are possible. Preflop, one plaer made it $10 to go and all four players called.

The flop came 9s-Qh-5d, giving me an up and down straight draw. The initial raiser bet $20, a small number which told me he had Big Slick or something, so I called as did the player on my left. The turn was the 8c, giving me the nut straight. I bet $25 and was raised $50 by the player on my left. The initial raiser quickly folded as expected and I sat on this decision for a second. Here I had a player raising me when I had the nuts. I was loving my good fortune. Do I smooth call here? I don’t see any reason to do so. If this player thinks he’s strong enough to raise me $50 more, he must feel good about his hand so I just re-raise him all in for my remaining $200. Not surprisingly he quickly called so I’m thinking he had the same hand, especially when he announces “I have a straight.” I say “Me too” and he turns over the 6-7 offsuit and he recoils in horror when he sees my 10-J for the nut straight. The river was irrelevant as he was drawing dead.

I happily scooped up the pot that was over $600. Nice way to start my day, don’t you think. Just remember, when you have the best of it go for it, that’s where the real money is.

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