13 of 175 - Pacific Poker - Paid Top 20

With the home tourney tonight I decided to play a warmup.

I flopped a straight early and let another guy push me around with his top pair. I got him all-in by the river and it gave me good breathing room through the first break. I had pocket Jacks once but I had to muck it when A&Q flopped. My KK got one caller and when AA flopped I had to take a gamble. Luckily my bet chased him. I got AK 5 or 6 times. My preflop raise was enough to steal the blinds with it 3 times. I flopped top pair twice and folded it a third time when someone else bet a good amount to me under the gun when rags flopped. I finally went out with 89s on the big blind. I had a chance to go all-in earlier with A3, but thought another ace was looming and didn't chance it.

I held on for most of the tourney by playing the strong hands strong and giving up the weak ones. If I hang around in these things long enough to get a good run of cards late I may finish in the better money.