I played in the Bellagio's $2500 stud 8/b event today.I hung around for awhile without accumulating any significant chips, then busted out around 25th or so out of 76 players.

On the hand I went broke, I was guilty of a mistake that I see quite often in tournaments.In the hopes that those of you reading this can avoid it, here is the mistake:

If you are in a position in which you have only one bet (or close to it) remaining, and you have no intention of folding, you should bet, since you plan on calling anyways.In a 3+ way pot, your bet may pave the way for another player to raise, thus narrowing the field.In a heads-up pot, if you check, your opponent will surely bet with a better hand but may check behind you if you have him beat (so the money only goes in when you have the worst hand if you check).

In my case, it was a large three way pot on sixth street.I was holding a middle pair with a low draw, and had no thoughts of folding.The first player (going high, but appearing to hold only one pair) checks, and I am next with $1300 (bet size is $1600).I am supposed to bet here, giving the other player (showing 4 low cards) a chance to raise out the first player.Instead, I check like the donkey I am, allowing all three players to remain in the pot.(I was trailing anyways, as the bettor held pocket aces, but that's beside the point).

I caught a ten or similarly worthless card on the river, and headed for the valet, cursing myself for not betting my last chips.Good things can happen when you are the bettor, but I never gave myself a chance in this hand.Hopefully I won't make the same mistake next time this situation comes up.

Mark Gregorich