Had an interesting session while the guys were in town for Mark’s bachelor party. It was getting to be late in the night and Kurt, Aaron and a couple other guys were sitting at a $1/2 NL game over at Harrah’s. Tired but bored, I decided to kill some time and sit with them. On the fourth or fifth hand I was dealt, I looked down to find Q-Jd in middle position, so I bumped it up to $10 or so. Had 3-4 callers to the flop which came out: K-10-6 with one diamond and two spades. I think I bet out $20 and dropped two callers. Asian guy in late position called, leaving us head’s up. Turn put a 2nd diamond on board giving me another set of outs and so I bet out another $25 and was raised to $50 by the guy in late position. Given the number of outs, I went ahead and called. River came the ace of diamonds, so I went all-in with my last ~$40. Guy calls and I say, “I caught my flush” as I turn over my cards to find the Jack of diamonds and the queen of hearts. Oops. “Uh, I guess I have a straight.” Cards speak, hand is good and I’m doubled up.

About two or three orbits later, I look down to find Ad-Kh under the gun, so again I raise to $10. Three people come along for the ride, including the guy from the first hand. Flop comes out As-6h-8h. Figuring I have the best hand, with a draw to the 2nd nut flush, I lead out with a pot sized bet. First caller drops and the Asian guy calls. Turn comes the 9h and I lead out with $35. Other guy makes it $70, total. I make what is probably a –EV call and throw $35 into the pot. River comes out the 5h, putting four to a straight flush on board, but making my backdoor draw. I check and the other guy checks behind me. I turn over my cards, “I just have the King…” Curiously, when my cards are exposed, it turns out I have the ace of hearts. Heh. Fortunately, the guy didn’t have the seven of hearts and my 2nd misread hand of the session was good.

As the pot was being sent my way, the other guy looks over at me, “you very lucky!”

Better lucky than good!