Like many others who missed out in the big one, the Bellagio kindly offered us a $10K second-chance event. With 20K starting chips, we also had a bit more play than the Rio (well there‘s a shock!).
Three to my left on the first day was Padraig Parkinson. We chatted away most of the first few hours as we played hand after hand in small pots. Problem was, neither of us were hitting much. On the other tables, some famous names were also calling every hand, the difference was, Scott Fischman, the Grinder, Ted Forrest etc, seemed to be hitting everything. Fellow Brit, Simon Trumper was having a bad day as he struggled to accumulate any chips at all.
Layne Flack joins us as an alternate but seemed out of sorts and lasted less than 30 minutes. Then T.J. Cloutier takes his place but only lasts half that time. However, in T.J’s case, he did flop top set and then check-raised a guy who had a double gut-shot draw. The fact that the guy called mystified everyone. The fact that hit on the turn, brought disbelief to T.J. But in truth, T.J played it all wrong. He should have made a big raise pre-flop after five guys limped. And he should have checked the flop and then re-raised all-in. Oh, sorry, he did! Oh well, I guess that even when you play right, the cards can still take the piss.
The day is about to end and I somehow managed to build up to 48K. Then my first real test takes place. Holding
-Kc, I contemplate a re-raise to the utg raiser sat to my immediate right. However, with the whole table still to act, I decide on caution and just call the raise. Padraig, who is now down to about 21K, pushes all-in for 17K more. All have now mucked and I ponder the call. It seems so obvious here that he has Q-Q, that I rightly find it easier to muck than to gamble. The day closes and I finish with 41K. Padriag has more than he started with but poor Simon is down to second bottom in the list with a measly stack of 6.8K.
Looking at the overnight leaders, I wonder how the hell they can accumulate stacks of over 140K? But at the start of day two, any thought of chip stacks must be discarded on the way to getting the mind right. First three hours again prove a pain as my stack slumps to around 25K. Meanwhile, Simon, bless him: is playing his heart out and managing to outlast many of the big stacks. However, after reaching a high of 21K, Simon finally succumbs to those who are luckier on the day. Great job Simon, but deserved far more.
At last, I pick up a big hand. Q-Q looked so good when compared to 6-6 4-4 and 3-3. Problem is, utg makes a big raise. Looking at my stack, I consider the old all-in business. Another problem is, I know he is calling here. He has one of three hands, J-J, K-K, or the old A-K. Either way, if I push I get called. Although I desperately want to double-up - I just can’t see this hand being the one. I decide on the call and to play the hand accordingly. Jack-high flop and all clubs. Without the
, I am happy to check along to the raiser - position at least! Turn brings another club and two more checks. A blank on the river brings two more checks and just a little hope that I had actually won the hand. No danger! Holding
-Kc, the river check probably came by way to trying to induce a bluff. But no thanks, not with this hand - it stunk from the very first moment!
Getting late now, forgot the hands that brought me back into the game. Though I do recall getting K-K v A-Q and busting my first player. Sadly, he only had about 12K but it took me to an all-high of over 76K. Hey, that’s exactly the figure I had in the big one - hope the outcome is different!
Players are now starting to drop as the blinds and antes do their jobs. Meanwhile, yours truly is hovering at just below average as we close in on a money finish. But ten from the money and down to 60 players, the format changes and we go down to 6-handed. This is not good news for the low stacks. Soon, we are down to 51 and bubble time. By this stage, I had yet to gamble and pretty much yet to make a major move. Hand-for-hand and my BB is attacked by an utg raise from Hassan Habbib.
With 3K BB and just 5K more to call, I find it difficult to muck. But being out of position and without any chips to spare, my As-Jh did not inspire confidence. I checked the baby flop of 4-7-2 as did Hassan. The turn made fit our baby cards under a nine and with now three hearts on board. Then a funny thing happened on the way to the river. After my check on the turn, Hassan decides to bet 8K. Holding the
, I decide to make a move and re-raise another 20K Hassan’s instant call made it almost certain that I did not want to see another heart on the river. However, I did get the feeling that I had the best hand. The
on river was not the best of cards, but if it did help Hassan, would he not prefer to check and take the pot? After all, I did check-raise the turn you know. And if I did have a flush, do you think I would not give my opponent a chance to steal by checking?
Anyway, with those thoughts in mind, I check and expect Hassan to give it up there and then. But to my dismay, Hassan bets out 30K If I call this and I am proven wrong, I am left with just 20K and in danger of not even cashing. I wait to seen if anyone has busted before I make a decision. All survive and I have no choice but to follow my instincts on this and make the call. This is probably the hardest call I will make this year. But you know what? I feel a debt to instinct for all the years of service. - I owe it this call if I am going to win this event. Hassan didn’t show his hand but I was now at 152K and above average for the first time in two days. Strange, but most of my wins seem to come from such positions.
Soon the bubble was burst and a return was assured. Within the matter of minutes and at the close of day, a further 8 or 9 players have gone.
Tomorrow, we begin again.
BTW, I know that most of you are more interested in what’s happening the Rio, but it’s material for the forum, right!
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