Running Hot & Cold

I really can't decide if I am running hot or cold these days. I alternate between cashing in tournaments and donking out or getting really bad beats. Today was typical of that. I cashed (4th) in a 45 person SNG, but could have come in 3rd if able to fold a weak suited ace against raise (AJ, and bigger stack with QQ). Decided the risk/reward was good and flopped the four flush. The queens knocked us both out, but it was a good opportunity to triple up and have a chance to win. I only had about 3500, with the bigger stacks at 10,000 and 17,000 and the leader at 30,000. Oh well.

Tournament number two cashing was a PL Omaha 8 tournament and I was up and down, down early, later chip leader and ended up 3rd.

The disappointing tournaments were a freeroll with 3383 players, coming in 375th. I really was never in good chip shape until later, doubling up a few times and ultimately with about 12,000 in chips with average around there. The UTG player with more chips raised and I see 10/10, so I repop the pot and he calls with AJ offsuit???? Not a great hand to raise with in early position and then call a reraise with no position. The flop is good for my hand, but not great. 10/J/A. With bottom set I am going all the way and hoping he doesn't have JJ AA or KQ. He bets and I reraise all-in. He calls and the turn does me in....Jack for his flopped two pair and turned full house. I am drawing dead to the case 10. Out!!!

My other tournament beats were with QQ. An early position player raises and is reraised by a 2nd player. I smooth call and the early position player goes all in and we both call. The flop is KQX and I get all-in (had both players covered...barely). 2nd raiser has KK and I am very short stacked. The very next hand I have AQ suited, a few limpers, I reraise from the blind all in and one caller...with AA. Done!

Just a run of incredibly bad luck mixed with some not brilliant play. I am reading a couple of new poker books by the internet geniuses....pearljammer, apestyles, and rizen. So far some good tips and I see how much I have to learn. Another new book came in the mail today on small buyin tournaments....watch out Moose!!!