SNG #2

Seated at the table and waiting for the cards to be dealt. Sitting at this table is one of the guys from my last SNG who finished in the top 5 with me.

Ace seven suited in the small blind and I complete the bet. Only one spade on the flop so I fold to the first bet.

Dealt pocket jacks in the big blind. Big stack raised 4 times big blind and I fold assuming he has pocket aces.

Dealt pocket queens from small blind. Raised two times the blind and I call. Two aces on the flop. Raiser bets 4 times the blind and I fold.

A player went all in with ace king suited and was called. Ace king won (first time I've seen AK win in five all ins) and we are down to nine players. Four to go until the money but I have yet to win a hand. Can't get into the money without winning a few hands.

Player limped in with pocket aces from late position and lost to big blind. You can't limp in with pocket aces from late position. Down to 8 players.

Pocket sevens in small blind and complete bet. Got nothing on the flop and fold to first bet. Have the smallest stack but the blinds are still low. Still have time but need to cards to be competitive when blinds get large.

Blinds are high and I still haven't gotten any cards to play. I am the low stack and will have to go all in soon and hope the Poker Gods will smile on me. Sometimes this is how the game goes. You can't win without having any cards to play. Thankfully it doesn't happen often. But I'm not given up. As long as I have a chip, there is hope.

Ace four suited. Best cards I've seen so am going all in. Desperate times call for desperate measures. No one calls and I win my first hand. Still in trouble.

All in with pocket fives and got no call. Barely hanging in. Still have to out last three and doubt that will happen. I have never seen one of these sng's go so deep with this many people.

Pocket aces at the right time. All in baby. No callers. Things are looking better, but am not out of the woods yet. Want to see some people getting knocked out.

Down to seven. The guy with me during last sng just got knocked out. Two to go.

Another just got knocked out. If I can just survive one more it will be a miracle. This will be one of my best wins yet because of the lack of good cards.

Oh my. I managed to come in the top five and double my $1 entry fee. I was sure there was no way I'd make the top five in this one. The Poker Gods were surely smiling on me in this one. This sng gives a great lesson. Be patient, pick your battles, watch the other player's betting habits, and make plays when you have position over others. I am now 20-8.