We take our seats and I have Oleysa to my right and Clonie to the right of her. I made a mental note “you are not messing with my blinds, I don’t care who you are!” First hand, Clonie raises and I thought here we go, but she must have had something because she was quiet after that. The first 30 minutes were unreal. Nobody hardly spoke and I don’t believe anyone dared to breathe too loudly. You could cut the tension with a samurai sword! I tried to focus on not fidgeting but I did it more, I tried to decide where to put my arms but couldn’t. This TV lark is odd. Then, just as I was getting even more restless – there was action. Claire raises with just one caller in Clonie. The flop brings Q Q 5 (a bit sketchy). Up to Claire, she makes a bet and Clonie flat calls. The turn brings AJ. I’m not sure exactly how it happened but both their chips make their travels to the centre of the table. Clonie shows trip Queens and Claire shows her JJ holding for the full house, a few gasps and Clonie was out first. I don’t know if it was her confidence, experience or her shades but once she left it seamed as though the heavy bricks that were crushing us all were taken away and everyone relaxed. Or it might have been the wine that we all demanded we had after seeing Angela Griffin had some and we all had water!!
As for how the heat went for me. I’m not sure; I am really struggling to remember my hands. I know I didn’t have much and by the time it was three handed and I was the lowest chips, something had to be done. That’s when I became poker Robin Hood. There was no other way. Somehow I got heads up with Claire and then it became even hazier. We hadn’t played many hands when unbeknownst to me we were EXACTLY level in chips. I decide to raise with 6 3 off suit, board comes J 9 3 two of the same suit. Again, not sure of exact details but I went all in, and after a big dwell by Claire she called with Q 10 same suit. So Claire had so many outs it was unreal, an excellent call in my opinion with a place in the final at stake, she hit an 8 and it was all over for me. On reflection, I rushed that hand. There was no need to put in all my chips so early in our HU. Then again it’s one of those situations that happens time and time again. If Claire passes, I look a genius, if she calls and misses, I'm a genius again (if not a lucky one). As it turned out I put myself too much on the line and paid the price. A runners up heat with $6,000 to the winner but no entry to the final. Pah! Better win the dosh then.
So back to the hotel for after match deliberations and a small party develops in the bar. With guests including Dave and Rhowena Colclough (one of my opponents the next morning), Tikay, Leona and Kevin O’Connell, Luke Smith and the lovely triumphant Claire, Simon Nowab and of course Colchester Kev. After a few glasses of champagne and 3am beckoning I am reminded I have a job to do in the morning so off to sleep relatively happy to be picked up by 888’s stretch limo at 9.45am. Oh the life of a poker player – I could get used to this!
