Beginner's Luck?

Had yesterday off. Found the ripoff casino was holding a daily $45+5 MTT with rebuys. While I am not rolled for a rebuy let alone a $50 entry, I wanted to go and use the time to invest in my reads and tells, and basically get a live tournament under my belt.

Hardcore on the online felt, live play really doesn't do much for me, but I figured the hopeful hours of NL action would give me a feel for where I stand.

I got to the desk about 20 minutes before start time and before anything, wanted to see a structure sheet. I was not impressed.

Either I have been spoiled by the online structures or the casino really has no intention of providing a solid tournament with solid play they offered 1000 starting stacks with 12 minute levels. Opening blinds 25/50.

I assume being a rebuy for the first hour they wanted to basically milk all the juice they could, but I for one saw that 20BB starting stacks is a poor investment.

So I registered.

I found out they allowed an immediate add-on 500 chips for $25 and then $75 for 1500 any time you bust in the first hour. I took the add on for some cushioning. Marketing genius, bait and switch.

I got the draw for the 1s and had 7 other players with me. Two seats were left open and they blinded off those stacks to help alleviate the quick blinds. Not sure if this is normal procedure but, eh, what do I know? I am the noob.

I played pretty night and didn't get many anything thing worth taking to the flop for 2 orbits. The 3s was extremely loose and even showed the Hammer when he raised in MP and it folded around. He called a couple all-ins and seemed to try and slow play every hand and raise with junk. I was looking to get it good with him.

After about 4 orbits I got JJ and took down a pot when pocket tens pushed on a 8 high flop. I raised the next hand with AQ in LP and the 3s called his limp. Flop was Q 9 5. He checked. I bet, he called. Turn was a 4. He pushed all in. I thought for about 2 minutes and when he said "I got you" I folded. He showed a set of 4's and I made a decent laydown. I want to get my money in good not wanting to rebuy. I knew I could pick my spots.

QQ was I got it in against 10 10 again preflop from a short stack and when 3s called with AJ I sweated it a bit, but I hit the case Q on the flop for good measure.

There was no tournament board or clock system so I just used the blinds to find a comfort zone for my stacks. After the first break we played another 30 minutes and the table broke after I took out 10 10 and AJ with flopped set of 6's. When we shipped over two the next table we found out it was already down to the last 23. Five minutes later we were down to 18.

I had a decent 24BB and just kept waiting for premium cards. My tight image helped me steal some flops after preflop raises. Everyone was extremely loose but with enough chips to re-raise they wanted the money enough to fold to a bigger stack.

Eventually I hit the FT and all 10 of us were in the money. 112 players started and short stack from my first table blinded out and 9 remained. He walked off not even realizing he made the money until the table screamed at him to collect.

I never had more than 12BB the entire time at the FT and had to use my stack at times to push and hope to get folds from limpers. I was card dead and managed to squeak into 7th when the chip leader took out KJ with his AQ.

I was 5th in chips, in the 5 seat and had the BB with 25s. Button raised the minimum, SB called for all his chips and I foolishly called. I knew it was a mistake, but 5-1 on my money for the call and to check down the SB was almost worth it. Needless to say he tripled up. I folded my SB to his all in, and on the button with 10 J I raised 3x and the BB debated and called. When the flop came 10 Q K he pushed all in and tried to commit me. I folded and he showed Q9. FUCK.

The chop was announced by the TD, all six could get $00 each. 4 of us where in favor. The two middle stacks wanted to keep playing. Fuck again.

Then I woke up with two red Kings and pushed the very next hand. SB called again and showed Ad9h. Flop Ah8h7d. Turn Jh. Miracle 2h on the river. I only had 8 BB and the next stack had 12BB.

I limped in UTG with A2s a few hands later. Button minimum raised. I pushed, he calledwith A9. Flop A29. Turn J River 9. IGHN.

I cashed in 6th for $333. So for paying $75 to learn if I could read and play live, I'd say I did pretty well. Beginner's luck? I think my game has come far from just being ok online. I might have to go again.