Oasis Open early Bird Tournament

The Oasis Open 5-day event kicked off with a no-limit Texas Hold'em event consisting of 200 players in a no-rebuy tournament that paid 18 places. The winner's share was $3,950.

On the very first hand of the tournament, I looked at my hole cards, and voilá! Pocket Aces. I was on the button, and decided to check them. It was checked around to the big blind, who just happened to be a good friend, John Moore. He put in a substantial raise and I of course called. John then, inadvertently made the most amazing error, he turned his cards face up!! They revealed Ace/Queen offsuit. John checked and I checked. The flop was rag, rag, Ace, Giving me three Aces and John two Aces with a Queen kicker. He checked and I went all-in. To my amazement he called, and the rest is history. John was eliminated from the tournament!!

I felt bad about knocking John out of the tournament so early , in the manner that it happened. I rarely trap or slow-play pocket Aces, but being that it was early, I decided to try to get an quick lead if they didn't get cracked, and it worked. The fact that I saw John's hole cards and knew what he had, made me feel guilty about my all-in play; but in retrospect, I would have put my chips in, even if John hadn't revealed his hand. When I made my all-in raise, I was hoping that he would fold and preserve some chips. Given the facts, knowing that I saw his hand, John should have known that I wouldn't bluff him in this situation with all my chips. Sorry I hammered you so early John. I got lucky.

My luck in the tournament continued to hold, and I was patient and won some races, until I found myself in the second to last table with 19 players remaining in the tournament. I was faced without enough chips to cover the blind, which was coming up the very next hand, so I pushed my chips in with Queen/Ten suited and was eliminated 19th, and one spot out of the money, when the big blind picked up a flush as four clubs hit the board! I was disappointed, but happy with my play. It's a great tournament and I'm looking forward to four more days of fierce competition!!

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