A chip and a chair

Inevitably, at some point in any live tournament, someone gets a bad beat and is down to a few chips and makes the point "All ya need is a chip and a chair!"

Most of the time, those people are out in one of the next few hands as they play anything they can to catch a lucky break. Well, occasionally, the adage comes true.

I was playing a $50+5 sit-n-go on Sunday on FTP, starting chipstack was 1500 and blinds were 15-30. I was in mid position and looked at pocket Js. I raised to 120. The person behind me called and the button raised to 400. I put the button on AK and the player behind me on a pocket pair. Figuring I would take a chance, I raised All-In (which I hate doing with Jacks pre-flop), but thought I might get them out this early in the tournament. Unfortunately, they both make the call and I feel like I am probably the underdog. Player behind me shows A-Q (I am surprised by this call) and the button shows A-K. At least I figure that they have one of each others outs, so I am barely ahead. Flop comes A-Q-8 and the rest of the board does not help me improve. I am left with 30 in chips after the hand. After an All-in on a 5 player family pot I get up to 150. About 4 hands later I catch pocket 10s and make it to 400. A few hands later I am at 890 and at least I feel I can get back on my game with some chips to use.

Cue the music, ignite the fireworks, and yes, I end up taking down the tournament for a $250 win when I bust out the last player with a medium straight. This is an interesting game. I love how position, luck and strategy can turn the tables one way so quickly and then back the other way in the blink of an eye.

+250 (less the $50-5)