It had been a while since I had a game, whether I was busy or out of town, so I was very excited to get one going.  We sat 11 handed, playing $.50/$1.00 blinds.  However, it wasn't your typical low limit game.  There was close to $2400 on this table.  There were some old faces and some new faces, definitely a good formula for some action. 

I bought in for the table max, $150.  As usual, I lay pretty low at the beginning of sessions.  I'll pick my spots here and there and tango a little bit but I like to play small ball.  One of the first hands I get involved in, I call in lp, a LAG raiser with Qs9s.  Flop brings 6 7 8 with 2 spades.  LAG leads up for about half the pot, roughly $8.  Usually in this spot, I like to make a move at the pot and define my hand.  This time, I chose a different route and called.  Turn brought the 4s, completing my flush.  Villian leads out for $15 and I raise to $40.  Villian immediately goes AI.  My stack has about $110 left.  I thought my opponent could have an overpair with a spade, KK, AA.  I also thought he could hold something like A rag with two spades.  A6, A7, A8, (I can't remember which ones were the spades.  I also felt my opponent could make this move with any hand too.  It took me a minute to call, but I had to run the story through my head to see what he could possibly be holding.  I felt like there was about a 10% chance I was beaten.  I called and my opponent showed 5 7, drawing dead.  That was my big pot of the night. 

I limped on the button with KJo and sb raises to $4.  Flop came out Q rag rag with 2 diamonds.  SB leads out for $7 and I decided to make a move and raise to $20 (I have no diamond in my hand).  At this point, I felt like he missed the flop or at least didn't like the flop.  After some delibration, he calls.  Turn is Qd, pairing the board and putting the 3rd diamond out.  He checks and I bet $35, about half his stack.  I can tell hes not too sure if he believes me but at the same time, didn't want to go broke.  He folds 88 face up.  Nice!  This is the same guy I've been trying to get an idea of his tendencies because he's fairly new to the group.  Last week, I was able to sense weakness on a hand and instead of raising, I just called so I could see it.  I was right because he only had Ace high (A7) but his kicker played because I had A4.  Normally I would raise there but I was willing to lose that pot for future ones. 

I was able to pick off a bluff with 1010 on a King high board vs my opponents AQ for about an $80 pot. 

It was a really fun game, tons of action.  I felt like I played very well.  Made some good decisions during the session.  In the end, thats all you can really hope for.

Buy in 150 cash out 380.

TK