This was a difficult hand for me to play. TJ is right. Why put yourself in that position. I should have just mucked preflop.

I think that most would agree that I played it wrong. Recommendations for after the flop play?

Thanks (I formated this by hand).

FullTiltPoker Game #180743771: Table Phil Ivey - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 15:13:39 ET - 2005/08/10
Seat 2: whitmire111 ($192.55)
Seat 3: offroad373 ($140.30)
Seat 4: Atiba ($150)
Seat 6: harrije5 ($148.10)
Seat 7: reno25 ($290.40)
Seat 8: AlamedaMike ($138.25)
Seat 9: vegassun10 ($221.10)
vegassun10 posts the small blind of $1
whitmire111 posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #8

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AlamedaMike

offroad373 raises to $4, Atiba calls $4, harrije5 folds, reno25 folds, AlamedaMike calls $4, vegassun10 folds, whitmire111 folds

*** FLOP ***

offroad373 checks, Atiba checks, AlamedaMike bets $15, offroad373 raises to $40, Atiba folds,

I felt the check raise was either a monster or "go away and let me have the pot". I though for the full 15 seconds and called.

AlamedaMike calls $25

*** TURN ***

Now I feel that I am commited with the hand and I should have raised all-in or mucked to his check raise on the flop. TPTK is not that strong in NL and I could lose all my chips. Sure wish that 4 was a spade.

Pot about $92. offroad373 bets $50, AlamedaMike calls $50

*** RIVER ***

Pot about $192. offroad373 bets $46.30, and is all in

I still feel commited and have to go with my initial read. It could go either way.

AlamedaMike calls $44.25, and is all in

Uncalled bet of $2.05 returned to offroad373

*** SHOW DOWN ***

offroad373 shows (a pair of Sevens)

AlamedaMike shows (a pair of Nines)

AlamedaMike wins the pot ($280.50) with a pair of Nines

Holy mother of GOD I have to move up limits. This really happened?

You played rope a dope and let him hang himself. I'd rather not do that with such a lousy TPTK myself, but to each his own.

I love your colorful typefaces though.

Against a non-muppet you would lose this hand, but alas, he was a muppet.

Yes, he was a muppet thank God.