One Poker Hand from the Thursday Night Game

I played tonight from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM at Ryan's house on Euclid Avenue in Boulder, Colorado.

Ryan was away with Kelly in Montana at a wedding so it was Ryan's brothers Nick and Kelly plus Andre Smirnov and Ken.

I bought in for twenty dollars and played pretty tight. The only game we played was no-limit hold 'em. I didn't get great cards and I had 2 7 offsuit a few times.

The last hand I played I had about thirteen dollars left. My hole cards were Ace Four of clubs.

Pre-flop the only players to stay in the hand were Nick, Kelly and me. The flop came with an Ace, Four and a 10. I had two pair but there were two cards of the same suit on the board.

I bet $1.50, Kelly called and Nick raised to $3.00.

Here should have been a good indication Nick had a good hand: either a flush draw, a gut shot straight draw (doubtful) or a set.

I called Nick's raise and so did Kelly.

The turn didn't improve the flush draw but might have given one of the guys a straight. That would have been doubtful.

Nick bet $4.00 and Kelly folded his hand. Now it was up to me to decide what to do.

Here should have been an indication that Nick had a hand. Since he raised to $4.00 for the turn he definitely had a hand and might have made a bet like this to get rid of those trying to get their flush draw. I didn't have a lot of money left - and wanting to get home too - I thought I should go all-in.

I did go all-in but didn't improve while he turned over a set of 4s. My only out was an ace on the river, which I didn't get.

Regardless, I wanted to get out of the game but when someone does raise on the flop and increase their bet size on the turn it's a good indication that maybe your two pair is drawing thin to win on the river.