I'm BAAAAAAAAAACK!

Studying poker again and playing like it. I can't believe how quickly I had gotten off track of my play. I am not a great player, but when I am studying and really focusing on poker, I can play great.

Last night was my monthly tournament. 36 players with top 6 getting paid. It is a points based tournament, so you will make some decisions differently than you would in just a "top 6 get paid" type of tournament.

I finished 9th, which I felt was fantastic for the cards I got. I had 99 once, raised and won with a continuation bet. I had 22 twice and folded them preflop to open raises both times. I had AK once and raised UTG and won the blinds. I had AJsooted once and won with a continuation bet after the flop.

That's it. NO 1010+, NO Darvin Moon special (AQ), NO flopped sets, NO straights, NO flushes. NOTHING. I did not show a hand until the hand I went out on. I shoved all in at least 3 times with position and got no call.

So overall, I was pleased with my play. However, it only takes 1 mistake to take you out of a tourney. There's no reloading. So here's my question: Would you?

In middle position with $6000 in chips. Blinds are 500/1000 w/100 ante. I have 6xBB or about 2 1/2 M. UTG is the chip leader with about $30,000 in chips and limps. I shove with A5sooted.

Would you?

I think the limper was what screwed me up. If he doesn't limp there, I pick up enough chips to be able to raise a hand (unless I run into something). But I hadn't shown down a hand all night and was getting respect for my shoves, so I think I would have been good.

The limper was a sub player, so he doesn't know me and I didn't have a good read on him. I had not played with him but for about 3 hands at the final table.

Anyway, I know it was a bad shove, but I felt like I was losing the chance to have fold equity. And for points, I could have blinded out another 20 hands. It was definitely a mistake.

I was very happy to have gotten to 9th place. Look for me on FTP. I'm back!