I hit my first Royal Flush a couple of weeks ago, during a Omaha Hi-Lo game. Tonight I found the big-one again; this time via the back-door, in a straightforward hold 'em sit-n-go.
It was very early in a Double-or-Nothing SNG on PokerStars, probably only the second hand, when I found myself in the big-blind with QJ suited. The button raised it up to $80 (blinds only $10 & $20), The small-blind called and, as I like to see some relatively cheap flops early on, I decided to come along.
The flop was 8-5-T, rainbow, and the button put in another $80; this felt like a continuation bet, and the big-blind folded. So I decided that my overcards, coupled with a gut-shot straight draw was worth the call.
When the Ks hit the turn I now had a double gut-shot (any 9 or A) plus a very decent flush draw, not to mention the Royal Flush draw. The button put in another $80 and there was no way I was laying this down at that price, so I called.
Hail Mary and Hallelujah, if the river doesn't deposit the Holy Grail of the miracle As. I was probably behind heading to the river, but when I put in a $200 bet the button folded; I thought a half-pot bet was decent value and they might have called.
No matter, even with the small blinds I managed to pick up a $400 pot (albeit that $160 of it was mine).
Broadway
My luck didn't end there, about 5 hands later I found myself with AK-off. UTG raised it to $80 followed by a call. I raised it to $140 and they both called. The flop came 8-5-T rainbow (the exact same board as my Royal Flush earlier). It was checked around and the turn brought the Qs; so I now have a gut-shot broadway draw. A mere $80 bet was called by both of us and the beautiful Td hit the river. Another $80 was bet and called, so I raised it to $160 hoping it was enough value for both to call; and sure enough they did. I scooped $1150 and took a dominant chip lead.
Better kicker
Two hands later I pick up AJ-off from the big blind and it was called around. I probably should have raised pre-flop, but have been burned with AJ quite a few times recently and just checked.
An A-T-6 rainbow flop drew a $240 bet from the small blind. I almost mucked, thinking I might be up against A-T, but had a feeling I was ahead, so I called.
An 8 on the turn brought an All-In from the small-blind. This looked like a desperation move, "Please don't call!", but I did. My A-J was up against A-9 and a harmless 3 on the river meant I had knocked an opponent out and increased my stack to $3420
Free cards from the Big-Blind
I was patient, and it was about 14 hands later before I played another pot. With 5-7 of Diamonds, from the big blind, I was able to see a free flop and turn, nailing a straight and taking another $420 pot.
Who's got the biggest pair?
About 10 hands later I woke up with KK from early position and raised the $50 BB up to $200; attracting 1 caller. A T-6-7 rainbow flop brought a small $100 bet which I rased to $300, only to be called. At this point I'm thinking AT, and the river brought another T. But, only another $100 bet, and I called. A 4 on the river brought yet another $100 bet. I probably should have doubled this, for value, but only called - to find my opponent with QQ.
Filled the house on the turn
Two hands later I came up against the same opponent in a hand I am usually on the receiving end of. I was in the BB and able to check my option with K7; the flop comes K-K-J. It was checked around to me and I almost put in a bet, but was cautious of maybe KQ or KJ. The turn brough a 7 and there was now no way I was laying down a Full-House.
My opponent pushed the button and went All-In (perhaps on tilt from my K's beating his Q's) and he had a K, but with only 3 kicker. Another opponent ousted and my stack is now $6125; more than all 5 other players combined.
Who needs an Ace when you have a 7
About 5 hands later I limped in with A7-suited, flopped an up-down straight draw and filled it, 8-high, on the river netting another $1200. I am now up to $8365 and completely running over the table; feeling invincible.
That was pretty much the last hand I played as everyone else knocked each other out until the top 5 made the money. It was one of the most dominant games of hold 'em I have ever played. I would settle for a couple of those hands in each game I play, rather than getting them all at once; but I shouldn't complain, the poker Gods might be listening.
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