A Recent Underground Antwerp Poker Game

Texas Hold ‘em vs Omaha Poker, The Difference

I was at a home game today, nothing special, out on the countryside of Antwerp, where the cows reside. It was just $20 cash buy in Texas Hold ‘em game, felt like the good old days, when I played Texas Hold ’em more than I did Omaha. These days it seems like the only thing I do is play Omaha, four cards, lots of mathematics, less real sweating on reads. Well, I’m exaggerating, especially 6 handed Omaha is a very mental game! Anyway, Texas Hold ’em will always be slightly more mental, the bluffing opportunities are far greater than in Omaha, you can represent any hand, but your opponent will always err on the side of “bullshit, I don’t believe a word you say”, and when he raises, you will think exactly the same thing. Bluffing and especially re-bluffing or even re-re-bluffing is commonplace in this sick game.

Playing 87 on The Button

Oh well, I guess it’s not that sick since the stakes are quite low, but still, it’s about the game and not about the dollars inside, in essence at least. One memorable moment was when I got 8c7h on the button, and I felt like a little bluff, especially on the button, this is not such a bad move, especially on a table with lots of predictable players. The cutoff had just raised, while the whole field before him had folded. He was a very aggressive player, who didn’t really know me very well, so I thought I’d go for a re-raise and take a nice pot, the blinds both folded and the aggressive player instantly called, out of position. I had no clue. The flop came KhJh7c and the cutoff with too much money in the bank put in another $10, I quickly called, doing some pot control, with both our stacks still being quite deep. The Tc kind of took my optimism away, I was hoping for something small or something 7′y or 8′y. A ten was one of the worst cards to come off, together with a Q, since I didn’t put him on an Ace or a King, and while a Jack was a possibility, it was a small enough possibility to make my call worthwhile.

The Turn, a Tc, The worst card to come off

The Ten made the odds of him having a hand quite a bit larger, with a pair of tens or even a straight. He instantly checked, which only fueled my fear. So I checked behind, thinking a reraise would shut me out of the hand. The river was a Qh, and the $32+ dollar pot didn’t really feel like it had my name on it anymore, even when I had position and a pair to boot. The maniac quickly bet $34 and instantly my thought patterns turned from near depression to excitement. He couldn’t have the straight here, and I could so easily represent it. So I saw an opportunity to grab the pot then and there, even when I didn’t have the best of it. I thought for some 2 minutes and (min) reraised him to $68, a sick value bet, but I felt it had some merit. Mister maniac waited for almost 5 minutes with the table in heavy discussion on what our hands were, and I smiled when I heard the word “must – be – a – straight” walking by on many edges of the table. Maniac eventually folded and I mucked, leaving everyone in a thirst for more Adam action.

Enjoying My Victory In Antwerp’s Fresh Air

I, however, was in need of some fresh air and a beer after 5 minutes of poker facing my face off. I enjoyed the cold breeze that flourishes in Antwerp these days, colder days are coming for sure, but that only means more and more long and warm nights of poker.

And while I was standing outside, I saw my shadow on the ground, thinking I had never seen a more beautiful shadow of myself, I quickly made a picture, instantly capturing the quite successful evening, even though I lost some $12 of my profit in the hours after that glorious 8c7h.