Won the Sunday local Poker Tournament

After over a month of inaction due to work, I headed to the Oaks Card Club Sunday event. Only 70 players entered the event.

Since I was rusty I reviewed my book "Tournament Poker: 101 Winning Moves." Hey, just 'cause I wrote it doesn't mean I recall everything.

I ended up winning $5,000.

Frankly, I really never had any hands until I got to the final table.

I was low on chips and had to risk it all with 4 tables left with A-9 against 2 players. I had to make this play given the situation. I figured I needed to hit my Ace to win, and I did.

It allowed me to get down to 2 tables. Where once again I was low on chips. The table was 7 handed and I moved all in with A-7, after a player raised. I knew I was behind, and it was a small bet for the initial raiser to call so once again I was playing the Ace. I hit the 7 and won against his 4-4.

When we got down to the final table, I finally got premium cards. Which allowed me to go on a small rush.

I also won a hand when I was in the big blind with just K high, against an all-in bet. I called since I was getting more than 3-1.

Since the blinds were big my wins got me to be the chip leader with 4 players left. I refused to chop since I was in front by a lot.

I lost a big hand with 3 players left. I called an all-in preflop bet from a player who had about $80k. I had twice that amount, and a big hand A-Q. He had K-7. He hit his 7.

Now he was in the lead. The player in 3rd place got knocked out, so now it was heads-up. But, I was down to 2-1.

I am a fairly good heads-up player so when he offered to give me a few dollars to end the match I said no thanks.

The second hand heads-up, he raised pre-flop and I called with about 1/3rd of my chips. I had 10-8 suited. The flop came 10 high. I checked. He moved all-in and I called. He was bluffing.

Now I was in the lead 2-1. I offered him a sweet deal to end the match, but he turned me down. His friends told him he was going to win.

Not gonna happen. The next hand, he limped on the button. I had J-3. The flop missed me, I checked and he checked. The turn missed me, I checked and he checked. The river missed me, and he bet a little more than half the pot. I had J high, and I didn't believe him. I called. He showed 10 high.

His friends couldn't believe I called.

I offered the same deal to end the match. But my opponent refused.

We split the next two hands, and on the last hand he moved all in. I had A-10 and called right away. He had nothing worthwhile. No one improved, and I won the $5,000 and the Oaks Card Room jacket.

I also had my picture taken holding my book, which they post for a week at the card room. Oh well...back to work.