DUBLIN BELLYBUSTERS

Sunday, October 4th, 2009: The Full Tilt Espana Series - Barcelona Event, Day 3 (Evening)
Cesar had under 500K so the next hand we contested would likely put him at risk. That hand happened to be the very next one.
 
Hand 14 - Day 3, Blinds 25000/50000, 3.55M
Cesar raised to 175K and I looked down at the A9 of hearts. I put him all-in and he instantly called. The flop brought me no help but the turn brought a second heart to give him a sweat. 11 outs but the dealer could find none of them as we retook our seats and went back to battle.

Hand 15 - Day 3, Blinds 25000/50000, 2.6M
Cesar got some momentum going, winning a few small pots and getting himself back up to 1.4 million. On the Button, he raised to 150K and I called with the A4 of clubs. The flop came AKQ rainbow, I checked and surprisingly, he checked. The turn came a 4, completing the rainbow board and making me two pair. I bet 200K and without hesitation, Cesar made it 600K. It was obviously an all-in or call situation. I tanked for bout 5 minutes, going through the hand combinations that I was beating and the ones that were beating me. I could beat A10, AJ, KQ, K10, KJ, K4, Q10, QJ, Q4 and a total bluff. I didn’t think Cesar would raise one pair here unless he had some other outs but I did think that he was capable of taking a stab with nothing. I was crushed by AK, AQ, any set and J10. On balance, I figured my hand was good about 40% of the time and I effectively had to put in 1 million to win a 2.8 million pot (35%). I shoved and irrespective of the outcome, this is the only decision I regret in retrospect. Cesar insta-called, having flopped broadway and doubled up to 2.8 million in chips. I have mulled over this hand in the days since and now believe I made a poor decision. Based on a weighted sizing up of his range, I think I was probably about 27%, making it a clear-cut fold.

Hand 16 - Day 3, Blinds 25000/50000, 1.1M
Two hands later, Cesar raised to 175K and I looked down at AQ. I shoved for 1.1 million and he insta-called, flipping up AK. I shook his hand and we wished each other luck. The flop brought a Queen, much to the delight of me and my fairly inebriated railbirds. The turn, however, brought the King and I was down to miserable 2 outs. Sadly for me, there was no sick river and Cesar was the champion of Barcelona.

Cesar played very well throughout the day, expertly managing his short-stack until a well-timed card-rush put him in the mix. It was good for Spanish poker to have a Spanish winner so, as much as I wanted the title, I am extremely happy for him. A nice guy, a passionate card-player and a worthy champion, he will be a great ambassador for the game in Spain.