1. 2008-06-23 22:05:24

   Ocean View Card Room - Crazy Pineapple High/Low

   Yeah, you read the title correctly. I played Crazy Pineapple High/Low this weekend. But wait for it: ... in a licensed card room, no less!

   First, the back story. I went down to Santa Cruz to visit Megan and play in a $100 buy-in WSOP Feeder tournament set up by AceOfJames. I didn't fare so well in that and was way ahead of schedule for meeting up with Megan. I decided to swing by the Ocean View Card Room, as I've played in the Saturday noon tournaments, but not their cash games.

   I was hoping for some normal spread limit Hold'em, but to my dismay, there was only one table running, and they were betting in increments of 3 and 6. Ugh! As you might know, I'm not a huge fan of limit. In fact, I haven't played it in years. There was a consolation - they were playing dealer's choice, which could include Hold'em, Crazy Pineapple (3 cards, discard one after the flop), and Omaha. Furthermore, you could choose to play "high" or "high/low (8 to qualify)". I pondered the uniqueness of this situation and decided I'd give it a try. Besides, I hadn't fulfilled my poker quota for the evening.

   I sit down with a rack and proceed to bluff off $24 the fist hand. I thought the guy was weak. He was. Top pair, weak kicker. Of course, it's hard to fold to a $6 bet into a $36 pot, right? Ugh! I guess I might have lost more if it was no limit and he still called.

   I backed into a great low with playing Hold'em High/Low when I was going for a flush and had a pair. That was good for $60. Nice!

   Playing Omaha I had and the flop was and then I turned a nut straight and rivered a bigger nut straight , but ended up splitting the pot with for the low. I think I messed up on the turn when I raised it after making the nuts. I cut out 2 players who may have called. I was scared about the flush draw, but talking with a friend later on led me to believe that the big flush draws may have called anyway, especially if they had low draws, too. Oh well.

   I won't bore you with the rest of the hands. I picked up $200 in a couple hours. I folded it up in my waistline on my way out. Evidently people have been getting mugged frequently in that area. Lame.

   I can't figure out if I was extremely lucky or if I played well, or a little bit of both. I know you aren't supposed to pick up much more than a couple big bets an hour. Out of the 6-8 people at the table, more than one had trouble reading the Omaha hands. That was good for me, of course, but probably not $200 good.

   The biggest point I'm trying to make is this was a fun game. They drop $3 or $4 per hand, but most people there were loose enough to make up for it. If you're ever in town, check it out.

   Posted by Jason M at 2008-06-23 22:05:24

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Comments on “Ocean View Card Room - Crazy Pineapple High/Low”

1. • Posted by Jason M g 2008-06-24 18:16:40
   • 

   • I think I played pretty well, but also got pretty lucky. It was a good time. I'll be setting up something at my place the week after I get back from the World Series of Poker tournament. I was thinking first time I'll do something a little more standard - a short-handed game.

2. • Posted by Krishna (unverified) g 2008-06-24 18:03:55
   • 

   • Nice trip report!
     200 in two hours in awesome. It is hard to get that much in even no limit.
     You must have played really well.

     I have hard time adjusting when I play two types of games.
     I stopped doing it because I would raise with A2xx on PLO table and kick myself on the flop.
     :-)

     When are you hosting a crazy game like this?

3. • Posted by Jason M g 2008-06-24 00:26:59
   • 

   • That game was only called a couple times, and I folded on the flop every time :/ I know it's disappointing, but the title conveys the feeling I wanted you to have!

4. • Posted by Graham g 2008-06-23 23:37:39
   • 

   • A title like that and you don't even tell us about a crazy pineapple hi/low hand? Boo..!