Some poker hand you play are just plain odd. There’s just no other way to describe them sometimes other than saying their odd. Have you ever been involved in a hand where you knew you were way ahead on the flop and as it plays out, it just gets worse and worse? Your big money-making opportunity seems to evaporate with the turn of each card? Well, if you’ve played the game enough, then you know exactly what I’m talking about here. I’m about to tell you about a very unorthodox hand that came up for me this week.

As always, I was at my local $1-$2 full handed no limit game and here’s what happened. I was in the Big Blind and looked down to see two red 6’s. The Under the Gun player folded and Mitch, a local businessman who is just starting out playing the game made a raise of $15. Mitch is extremely inexperienced and often times needs to be reminded when its his turn to act. At the same time, being a businessman, he has big pockets and I had been hoping to get into a situation with him where I could take a huge chunk of his chips. Three players called and I decided to call as I would be closing out the action hoping to hit the flop. There was $76 is the pot and 5 players.

The flop came and it was the Ac-6s-4d. Perfect, I flopped my set and I figure I’m about to make a bundle from whoever has a big Ace here. With 5 people in the pot, I decided not to slow-play my hand and I bet out $50. Mitch called rather quickly and I’m pretty certain he has AK right here. Everyone else folded and there was now $176 in the pot and two players. I’m feeling pretty god right about now.

The Turn comes and it’s the Ad. Though this card gives me a full house, I had mixed emotions about seeing this particular card. If he had AK, like I thought, this card would give him more outs. If a 4 hits on the river, I’m sunk and if another Ace or King falls, I am sunk as well. SO I decided to make a play on the pot right here. I lead out again, this time, betting $150. Mitch calls without even blinking. Now I’m 100% certain he has the Ace. In any case, there is now $476 in the pot.

The river was the absolute worst card I could have seen, the 4c. Unbelievable. If he has an Ace like I suspect, I’ve now lost this rather sizeable pot. I decide to check, not wanting to lose any more money than I already have. Astonishingly, Mitch thinks for a second and checks. He flips over his cards and incredibly, he had pocket Kings! Can you believe he stayed in the hand with pocket Kings?! I show my pocket 6’s for my full house and take the pot. As I’m stacking my chips I hear the rumblings around the table about how horrible Mitch’s calls were. With the ace out there, it really was beyond terrible for him to call those bets. Talk about bad luck though. Had that card not been a 4 I would have been another $300 into the pot and made an even bigger score. Oh well, I’m just glad my read was wrong in this case and I was able to win the hand.

Until next time, may the chips fall your way.

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