LAPC 10k main event

The main event didn't go well for me. I started at a fairly tough table. I picked up AQ and AK a lot early and was playing them aggressively preflop vs people who were limping in. The problem was the limpers always called and I never flopped a pair. I also wasn't getting any credit with my continuation bets.

My friend nath was 2 to my right. A guy open limps, nath limps on the button and I check the BB with 42o. The flop comes J43r. I check, guy checks and nath bets on the button. Nath's range for betting the button in this spot is huge. I think my hand is too weak to just call not closing the action, so I decide to turn my hand into a semi bluff and check raise his 400 bet to 1250. Nath calls and the turn is an Ace. This is a pretty good card for me as it gives me a gutshot straight draw and it is also a good scare card if he has some weak jack that didn't believe my check raise. and I bet 2500. Nath calls really quickly. I'm pretty sure at this point he has Aces up most likely AJ and the only way I'm going to fire this river is if it's a 4 or a 5. River is an 8. I check he fires 3000 and I fold. He later told me he had A3. So I accidentally raised him for value on the flop and got unlucky on the turn. I really didn't think he would be calling the flop with a worse hand, but I guess he put me on a move.

I raise 99 in early position to 900 at 150/300 50a with about 8k total. Nam Lee calls in MP. The flop comes J34r. I bet about 1800 and he quickly calls. The turn is the 9s bringing a backdoor flush draw. I check after thinking for a few seconds. He quickly checks behind. The river is the 6s making the spade flush. I think for a while and then move allin for value because I think it will look bluffier to him than making a smaller bet for value. He starts tanking which is really good for me since I obviously have the best hand. After I while he says "If i have a pair I call you" and folds AQo face up.

The final hand I pick up AA with 8k at 150/300 50a and make it 800 nam lee calls on the button and the sb folds. flop is K86r. I bet 2200 and nam calls. Turn Q. I shove the rest in and he calls with 66 and that ended a pretty bad day for me overall.

I'm headed to Las Vegas wed or thursday to play in the Wynn poker classic.