[johnf]

This post may go on for a bit while I set up the scenario, so don't feel bad if you don't read it. Just a hand that has me steaming from the other night.

Situation: Home game No Limit Tourney, 9 players, ascending blinds every ~20 minutes. $10 start. Currently, 5 people left, our hero (me) 3rd place with $16, the opponent in question in 2nd with $18. (opponent has history of mixing his game nicely, but often at this time of night is a little loose and wild).

Hand in question: Blinds are .25 and .50. I am in big blind. Opponent is 2 to my left. He limps in, two other people call, I check in BB with Eight Spade Nine Hearts . Flop comes Eight Clubs Nine Diamonds King Diamonds . I bet $2.00 (pot), Opponent raises to $5.00, every one else folds, and it is back to me. Now, my opponent occassionally shows some tells, such as shrugging/sighing and "disappointingly" throwing his chips in when he really has a great hand. This time, though, he was very quiet, elbows knees, and staring at board. I put him on a draw, so I went all in.... He called and shows Four Diamonds Jack Diamonds . Congratulations, I read him correctly, as he risked all of his chips on a draw.

I think you know how this story ends. 4th street is a blank (Six Spade , maybe), but 5th is Five Diamonds and I'm out.

I was just wondering if I played this correctly. I have the philosophy of making people pay for their draws, but does that include putting your tournament life at risk? Hindsight, I wish I had called the flop and seen 4th. When he didn't hit then, he may not have risked it all for 1 more card. Also, if he hit on 4th, I could have folded.

For those of you who read the entire post, thanks for your time, let me know your comments!!