Knowing when to hold em: reporter antes up in first poker tourney

Okay, I admit it. Im certainly no Doyle Brunson or Daniel Legreanu. But other than a few oops moments I would rather just pretend didnt happen, my first experience playing in a poker tournament without the anonymity of my usual online identity turned out to be not as daunting or intimidating as I imagined.

In fact, I probably took more satisfaction than I should have out of the fact that I was able to hold my own throughout most of the night oh the glee I felt when I had a hand in knocking out some of the more experienced players (i.e. Macx MacNichol).

I didnt really have much of a strategy in place as I headed over to Dorchester last Saturday night with my partners-in-crime for the charity poker tournament being held as part of the villages Sandpiper Festival activities; my only goal was to NOT BE THE FIRST ONE OUT. That, thankfully, worked well for me.

I really do have to give myself credit, though, for at least appearing calm, cool and collected throughout the night, despite being nervous as heck wondering if my poker face(s) would hold up (although the sweat marks under my pits may have given it away).

Aw, who the heck am I kidding anyway? The only poker face I have is the one where I try not to smirk my head off when I think I have the best hand.

One thing did come quite clear to me fairly quickly as the rounds of dealing, betting and scheming got under way. I knew I would have to use my inexperience as my biggest weapon; the whole damsel in distress routine, if you will.

I certainly knew I couldnt count on my expertise or knowledge of the game because, well . . . Im just not that good of a player.

Although I have dabbled a bit online and played a few times with friends and family, it didnt take long to realize I wasnt in the same league as some of these pros. Stupid me, I forgot to bring my dark sunglasses and ball cap. Plus I didnt get a chance to practice maneuvering my poker chips through my fingers like they obviously did. Oh well, theres always next time

I guess this is the point, however, where I should freely admit that my sloppy dealing and the time I accidentally showed another player my cards werent part of my act, as much as I would like to pretend they were. But please note that we all cant be perfect at all times . . .

Speaking of perfect, the definite highlight of the night for me was the bluff I was able to pull off to rake in my first big pot of the game.

I had two low heart cards in my hand and I was chasing a flush and a straight; unfortunately I came out after the flop, turn and river with nothing but dead cards. I was the first to act and, seeing there were two 10s on board, I did what I hoped I was supposed to do I put out a decent bet hoping my opponent would think I had the trips (for those of you who dont know the lingo, that means another 10).

And because I was, up until that point, the tightest player at the table, I easily suckered him in. He folded and I arrogantly swept in my pot. But believe me, he was nice enough to return the favour later on.

Nearly five hours later, my pot finally ran dry. I think I did okay for a first-timer, bringing home bragging rights for coming in fourth place (and winning 20 bucks). I am now able to boast about the fact I beat out a dozen other players (i.e. Macx MacNichol) that night but I still remain humbled by the fact I couldnt play aggressive enough to win top honours.

Looking back, its easy to see where I went wrongwhen it came time to step up and go all in, I would instead step down and shamefully fold my cards. Believe me when I tell you, the easy part is knowing when to fold em. Its figuring out when to hold em that either makes or breaks you.

So now, with this new knowledge in hand, yall better watch out for me when you see me registering for my next tournament. Ill be the one with the smirk and the sweat marks.

Now if I could only find a pair of X-ray glasses . . .