Tournament Theory and an AC Trip Report

When playing in tournaments there will be a certain percentage of games that you will find yourself getting hit by the deck and win, and an equal amount of tourneys where you will get cold decked and lose. The trick to being profitable is to be able to win a majority of the games where you get only average help from the deck. This is where skill comes into play and if you play correctly it will lead to profits.

Yesterday I had the day off because of a Federal Holiday granted due to the dearly departed Gerald Ford. Taking this holiday as an omen of good things to come I travel down the Garden State Parkway to my favorite New Jersey destination, Atlantic City.

The day starts off with me winning the first hand I am dealt of the New Year at a 1/2 table. A sign of things to come? I make a few dollars before beginning the 50+10 /AO MTT at The Borgata. Not much to write about on this one except the turnout was huge. 154 players with a first prize of $4500. I over play KK in the second round and get knocked out by a guy who flopped a set. I know I should not go broke with a pair, but after having raised it up 4BB and gotten 3 callers with 2 diamonds on the flop I felt vulnerable and overbet, big mistake. A lesson learned for $60, but it worked out fine for me because I proceeded to make a $210 profit at the 1/2 table and then chopped for $250 at a 60+15 SNG. I'm not sure I made the right decision in chopping this one. I was outchipped 2.5-1 heads up so I offered a $350 to $250 chop to secure the extra $50. Mathematically it makes sense and the leader was playing solid, but should I just go for the $400. I don't know.


Overall a profitable day and a good start to the New Year. Hopefully a sign of things to come.