No Limit Hold em at Ocean's Eleven in Oceanside

Last Saturday I returned to Ocean's Eleven Casino in Oceanside, California to play in a no limit holdem ring game. It was the first time I had played "live" no limit other than in tournaments. As I have written, I have temporarily "retired" from online poker until all this nonsense about legality is determined. It would be just my luck to hit a big win and then have the online poker room refuse to pay me because I live in the good ole US of A... But I digress...

I have to admit I was nervous but pleased when I sat down to see a table of all men. As any serious woman player can tell you, we much prefer to play against men than women. It's just plain easier to beat men at "their own game". There is always at least one guy at the table who has to "show the little lady" she has no business playing and once you determine which player that is - usually takes less than two minutes - you can clean his clock unless he's having a Jamie Gold lucky streak. And as everyone knows, that kind of streak almost never happens.

This time I was surprised. There was not a classic poker asshole in the bunch; every guy at the table was respectful of my play and nobody was trash-talking or letting their emotions run wild. I had to pinch myself a couple times; I'm not used to so many nice players at one table - hell rarely are there that many nice players in the entire casino.

I came in behind the button and didn't have to post; another surprise. I got to play a round free until my blinds - I threw every hand away until I was on the button. And I got lucky, pocket tens. The blinds were $2.00 - small and big - and I raised $10.00. I got one caller but not before a couple of the players commented on how quiet I had been and that "women never bluff". The flop was connected rags and I bet $20.00 and my one caller went away.

I established my image as tight and aggressive and never once showed my cards if I weren't called and every time I was called, I had the winning hand. I lost one hand with top two pair and lost to a flush but I didn't show my hand.

Finally I was able to use my image. I had QJ of hearts on the button with a $10.00 raise in front of me. I wasn't too worried, this player raised before the flop every time he stayed. I raised $10.00 and he called. The flop was K 10 of hearts and a rag. I had an open-ended straight flush draw. The guy bet $20.00 and I called without hesitation. The turn was another K and that bothered me, a lot. He bet $20.00 and I took along time to think but finally called. One of the other guys commented that I was thinking about raising - assuming I had a hand. The river was a rag and the guy checked to me. I bet $40.00 and after making me sweat, he threw his hand away. A couple hands later, he asked "You did have the King, right?" I lied and told him I did and that's why it took me so long on the turn - I was afraid if I raised then; he'd run. He relaxed.

After a couple more wins I had doubled my stack and I left less than an hour after sitting down. It was near dinner time and the table was down to six players and I figured I had won all the money I could at the table and ran the risk of losing it with loose play at a short table.

My husband came along for the ride and had a drink in the bar - he said they pour a good solid martini, which with the tip set him back $10.00.