Talking Stick

Here is a quick recap of my Arizona poker tournament at the talking stick resort.  First off, thanks to my high school buddy Don for the good company and ride to the casino.  What an awesome poker room!  47 tables, computerized check in (take note, Crazy Moose).  Spreading every imaginable game, but unfortunately Don & I busted out a few minutes apart and we were too bummed to play more.  The structure was great, 20 minute blinds, 7500 starting chips, and after break, 30 minute blinds.  I had some ups and downs, running into a couple of monsters, including slow played kings against my AJ, top pair, top kicker flop.  Also hit a set of 5's on the turn against my ace king preflop raise.  My downfall came with my short stack (5.5K, with blinds @ 500/1000...me in big blind).  An early position raiser had one caller with his 2500 raise.  I had AK suited, but was not in a good spot to shove having no "fold equity".  I elected to flat call and shove on any flop (the old "stop & go" play).  The flop was 8/9/x with 2 hearts.  Shove away!!!!  The initial raiser folded, and the limper called with KQ of hearts.  The turn was a dagger in my heart, a Queen.  My heart then soared like an eagle when an ace hit the river.....but then fell like a rock when I saw it was the ace of hearts.  Player down.  A victim of being a short stack as much as anything else.