OK. Rant time.

I was just playing in a $10k guaranteed tourney at a certain well-known offshore poker site that shall remain nameless.

It paid to about 60 places and there were 300 or so players left.

I'd done everything I NEVER do...been responsible, selective and careful. I'd won about six or seven hands to get to this stage and was in better than average shape.

I was just getting itchy fingers, desperate to play some cards, when I looked up to find...ACES in the hole!!!!

Now, call me excitable, but I raised the pot. Two callers.

The flop comes, 4♦, 5♠, 8♣.

The first guy to act moves all in. The guy to my right folds.

I figure the guy who has gone all-in, having flat called my pre-flop raise, is either representing strength (a set, maybe) or has, at best, the straight draw or a lower pair.

I call.

He shows...K♣, 10♥.

I mean, the guy has nothing. NOTHING.

I glance at the board, almost casually. Only a nightmare turn and river can beat me now. He needs two 10s, two kings, or one of each.

No chance.

I do the 'math', as the Yanks say....

The odds are 3 in 44 for the pair of kings multiplied, roughly, by 2 in 43 for the set, I think.  

It can't happen.

Fourth street...a king.

I start laughing, pitying the poor guy for having his hopes raised so cruelly. What a sucker.

The river comes...a king.

I won't tell you what I said - or shouted - next, but I did throw my laptop across the sofa and vow never to play f^%*£ing poker again.

I guess Texas Dolly is right: In poker, as in life, never count a man out until the fall of the last card.

Literally.