Investing in the Nut Flush
It was a lively $3-$6 hold'em game at the Normandie Casino-the oldest casino in the Los Angeles area and one of the original Gardena poker clubs, with old-world charm that's hard to describe in words. The poker gods had not yet smiled on me and I was a bit behind, but I wasn't too disturbed. After all, I know that you must be patient in the game of poker. Then a fascinating hand came up. It was the combination of circumstances that made it memorable.
I was dealt A-6 of clubs in the blind. The Normandie Casino features hold'em with one blind, which many players prefer. Several players stayed to see the flop. I was pleased that there were no raises preflop, and it was a multi-way hand (three or more opponents staying in). Starting with a drawing hand-in this case, hoping to connect with the nut flush-a multi-way hand assures me of a decent pot at the showdown, assuming I make my hand. That's what I call "buy low, sell high," as a wise investor does. . .
The flop brought three more clubs, including the king: I flopped the nut flush! The odds against that happening are over 100-to-1. The poker gods had rewarded my patience. Now my goal was to build the pot as large as possible. With four opponents in the hand, I checked from the blind to keep as many as possible in the pot. Tom, a player across the table made the $3 bet. Everyone called. Wonderful. This could be a monster pot.
The turn brought a blank that did not pair the board. Good. Again I checked. And Tom made the $6 bet. Two opponents called. Now was the time to raise. Once a player calls a single bet, he generally will call a raise. I was not disappointed. Tom and two other opponents called my raise. The pot was growing.
The river was another blank. There were no pairs. Neither a full house nor quads were possible. My nut flush was indeed the nuts! This was my pot! As you may have observed from the play of this hand, it was a rather loose-passive game- with lots of players staying in and very little raising. Since I had check-raised the turn, if I tried for another check-raise, everyone would check behind me. So I came out betting. One player called. Then Tom raised. He must have a flush, I reasoned, and he thinks it's the best hand. I hesitated, examining my hole cards and then the board. A straight flush was not possible. My nut flush was unbeatable! I reraised. Also, by pausing to study my hand, I gave Tom the impression that I had some doubt as to the strength of my hand.
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition. . . Tom quickly reraised. With only two players, there is no limit on the number of raises permitted. Unhesitating, I reraised, hoping to build up the tempo for continued betting. This time Tom just called. Reality had sunk in.
I showed my A-6 of clubs, the nut flush! Tom turned up the Q-J of clubs-a great hand but second-best to my ace-high flush.
For awhile, Tom was carried away with his hand. You could hardly blame him. I was lucky to be holding the ace of clubs. That was the biggest pot of the evening and it put me well ahead. A great investment...
So, readers what's YOUR opinion?
