HAND OF THE DAY: 08.08.08

Another heroic call from your hero. This is from a tournament in which I failed to cash, but I still like my play here. It was a battle of the blinds and I had the bigger stack. I made a minimum raise to $120 with Kh-7c.

FLOP: Ac-Td-Kd
ACTION: B ($120) / C
ANALYSIS: I want to continuation bet here to represent that I've paired and hopefully take down the pot. I believe I have the best hand so I don't mind his call.

TURN: Ac-Td-Kd / Ts
ACTION: B ($180) / C
ANALYSIS: I don't like the ten because his call on the flop could very well mean he just tripped up. I make a small bet to see how he responds. He merely calls which pretty well clues me in that he doesn't have trips since he wouldn't have been content to merely call with all those draws out there. I also don't believe that he flopped the nuts with Q-J because he would be trying to build a bigger pot by now. He's either got a diamond draw or a weak king for the chop, or possibly an ambitious queen-high.

RIVER: Ac-Td-Kd / Ts / 9h
ACTION: B ($180) / R ($600) / C
ANALYSIS: Again, I make a small value bet, believing I've got the best hand or at least the chop. It is also an evident blocking bet as if I fear that he will make a big play for the pot should I check. He does take the bait and raises my bet. I don't believe the nine helped him because I'm not buying 9-9. You don't see many river bluffs in tournaments because of the inordinate expense involved, but by all appearances, that is what I am facing. There is a chance he has an ace or a monster like K-T, but I think there is more likelihood that he has some sort of queen or failed diamond draw and knows he can't win without making a play. I make the call and he shows Qd-5d. I win $2040.