Hello

The hand in questions wasn't the actual hand that knocked me out of the torny, but i feel it was a major hand none the less.

the torny started with 160 runners and it was down to the final 20 or so, with the top 6 getting seats worth 5-10 grand, if you include prize money also.

I had 16000 in my stack and the blinds were at 1200 and 600 with a 200 ante on a 9 handed table.

i had just stole the last to blinds pre-flop with trash and picked up AQ. And i raised to 4000. I'm thinking now, that i should of probably of just moved all in? 16000 at the time btw was the average stack.

Anyways, i got a button call and everyone else folded.

Flop came 239 and i checked, button bet 4000 and i folded....

I can't stop wrecking my head with how bad i played this! Firstly, id seen the player on the button make a lot of speculative bets and calls... therefore, he could quite easily have the 9... but even if he does and i move all in, i have two outs in my overs. And what was the check all about... the only possible reason i should be checking here (with blinds etc and what's in pot) is to check raise...?

My thought process now is that i should have moved in and said, look, if you have over pair, 9 or AK then so be it. Ak might of folded too.

I feel that because of the importance of the prizes i was unable to pull the trigger and make the correct play... which cost me as i didn't pick up a hand or a situation to make any more plays until i got even more short stacked, pushed for a 50/50 and lost, finishing 19th. Whereas if id followed through i would of had around 24000 and been in a much better position to finish in the top 6...

Any thoughts?

Sorry if its all a bit mumble jumble, i'm still a bit muble jumble in my head over it all...

Thanks