6 SNG Step 2 ticket End 1st 96 Hands

Pays 5 out of 6 places. 1st - Step 3 ticket, 2nd-3rd Step 2 ticket, 4th Step 1 ticket, 5th - $1.30

Finally was able to win a 6 player SNG. As I said in one other 6 player post, players seem to limp in a lot more than in 9 or 18 player sessions. Not sure if it's the game or lower initial buy-ins. Not sure what size I'll play for Step 3.

I don't know that there is a lot to say about this one as it was mainly a steady slog to get to the finish with some ups & downs. Two of the players were playing at least 4 sessions but in the cards I saw them play they didn't always play premium hands, though their play was slow and they did often fold.

Hand 18 was my 1st decent pickup. We are down to 5 players, so all of us win something. I'm SB w/Ah Jh, blinds 25/50. UTG (one of the players playing 4 sessions) limps in w/50 chips as does the CO, I raise to 150 and all call; a 4 player pot. Flop 2c 5d Jd. I have top pair w/Ace kicker. I bet the 600 pot, BB folds, UTG calls, and CO folds. Turn 2d. That not only pairs the board (a point I think I missed while playing the hand), there is a possible flush out there. I have 460 chips left and go all-in with them. Either I'm dead or have a good chance to win the pot. UTG calls and shows Qd Jc. They have a flush draw and weaker kicker with their J. River 5c. I win and have 2720 chips.

Hand 27 I made another nice gain. I'm BB w/pocket 10's (10h 10s). Five players. SB open raises 2 BB (120), I re-raise to 240 and SB calls. Flop 4h 10c 2h. I hit my set, possible flush. SB bets the pot, 480, and I decide to just call. Turn 2s. I know have a FH and don't hvae to worry about a straight. SB bets 150 into the 1440 pot and I raise to 540, SB calls. Interesting. River 7d. SB goes all-in w/their last 845 in chips. Did I miss something? I call and they show 9h 10d. I win and have 4420 chips. Four of us left and we all win one of the Steps.

Hand 41 I get lucky. I'm SB w/8c 9c and my chips are down to 3415, four players, blinds 50/100. UTG open raises 2 1/2 BB (250), leaving them w/780 chips. BTN folds, I call and BB calls. Flop Ks Ac 4c. I need one card to hit my flush. BB & I check, UTG bets 200 into the 750 pot, BB & I call. Turn 7h. BB & I both check again, UTG goes all-in w/last 580. I decide to gamble on hitting the flush and call, BB folds. UTG shows Kh 7d hitting two pair on the Turn. I need that club!! River Qc. We are down to 3 players and I have 4945 chips.

Hand 82. I've been up and down with chips and now have 4570, blinds are 80/160, I'm SB w/pocket Q's (Qd Qs). BTN folds, I open raise 2 BB (320) and BB calls. Flop Qh As 2d. I hit my set and if BB has an Ace maybe I can pick up a few more chips! I check and BB check's. Turn Ks. I bet 480 into the 640 pot and the BB raises me to 960. WOW, maybe they hit something!!! I decide to go for it and re-raise all-in w/my last 4330 chips, more than double what they have. BB folds. I might have got a few more chips if I'd have bet less, but if they were on a flush draw I'd prefer they not get that chance, or pay a lot for it. I now have 5930 chips.

Hand 85 I get a bit lucky again, mainly because the BB didn't have excellent cards. I'm SB, blinds are 100/200. I have Ac 6h. BTN folds and I limp in w/a 200 bet. BB raises me to 600 leaving them w/790 chips. Since I have an Ace and a decent chip stack I decide to call. Flop 3c 7d 4s. I have a gutshot straight possibility. I check and BB goes all-in w/last 790 chips and I call. They show Qd 8c. They didn't hit the flop either. I have one overcard. Turn Jh. River 6c. I pair my six, but since the River wasn't a Q or 8, I'd win anyway. We are down to 2 players; I have 7600 chips to their 1400. Things are looking up for maybe my making 1st place and getting that Step 3 ticket.

Hand 92, blinds 100/200. I'm SB w/Ad 3d and 7500 in chips. I limp in w/200 bet and BB goes all-in w/last 1400 chips. I'm not real happy about this, but since my Ace is suited I decide to call but don't feel very confident that I'll win. BB shows Ah Qs. I need 3's or diamond!! The board plays out: 2h Jc 2c Ks As. WOW we chop!!! Next best thing to winning that hand for me. :-) I'm sure BB is very disappointed at not doubling up.

Hand 96. I'm SB w/Kc 7s and 7900 after posting, BB has 800 chips left after posting the 200 BB. I open raise 2 BB (400) and BB raises me all-in. I call. BB shows 9h 8d. I have one overcard. Flop Kd Qc 10c. I pair my K. BB has a gutshot straight possible. Turn Kh. River Ad. Neither any help to the BB. I win!! I now have a Step 3 ticket!!