Hey Alan,

That was a pretty tough beat I put on you, especially when it was followed by the AK-AK-TT hand. You say I had enough chips that it would’ve hurt me to lose…but really it wouldn’t have. I had under 2250 in my stack on the 75/150 level. At this point my M ((my stack)/(blinds+antes per orbit)) was under 10 – I was in what Harrington calls the Orange Zone. Here’s what he has to say:

“…an old idea assumes crucial importance: first-in vigorish. The concept is simple enough. Whoever is first in has tow ways to win:
1. No one else contests the pot with you.
2. You can win a showdown.

In the Orange and Red Zones, first-in vigorish assumes major importance, especially in association with an all-in move. In the Orange Zone, you’ll often have to consider opening the pot with an all-in move.”

Essentially, if I’m going to raise with A7d – one of the best hands I’d seen in a while – I’m probably going to call any raise behind me anyway, so I may as well push and try to win the hand without a showdown. Because my M is so low, I’m willing to loosen up a little and take slightly bigger chances than I might have otherwise. I knew you were ahead – I was just glad you didn’t have AA-AK-AQ so my A was live.

You played a good game and deserved better than you got.

I just finally got the hand history into PT to check the actual numbers. You had 2465, which is pretty short with 100/200 blinds. I had a reasonable stack and wasn’t in any trouble with my 4045 (after posting the small blind), but I still lost more than half my stack to you and it was in trouble with only 1680 left after the hand. I know you pretty much had to push there, though, especially opening from the button.