Blimey - I've just read this thread and I am so amazed at the support, thank you sooo much!!
I have to say that Reddogs chat this week at Luton was the start of it, and on Saturday I made my mind up to go and play and left work early to play the satellite, I won on second attempt and over an early dinner contemplated cashing in my ticket for £1500.
The reason I didn't cash the ticket was because I remembered Not Gus Hansen from Luton nearly doing the same thing earlier this year, and I thought it was worth having a go - it's all a learning experience - and it's not often I get to play with this quality of player. Also my boyfriend was playing and I didn't have a lift home
For two days I have repeated reddogs words in my head and played a solid game. At Luton so many people were rooting for me that it gave me amazing confidence and focus.
Sitting next to Paul Jackson for the first day and part of the second was really funny, I suspect (!) he had read blonde as everytime someone raised me he told me it was because I was a woman!! Between him and Paul King I had the best poker education anyone could ask for over 2 days. They kept me on the straight and narrow and had a very calming affect. I was very lucky to have had the benefit of their advice.
On the final table I was stuggling with Ali Mallu who seems to have an automatic requirement to raise every hand (or so it seemed). Taking Jens advice (that girl is a genius) on the third occasion I stopped being overawed by him and came over the top. He had to fold, and after that folded a lot more hands.
When there were three of us left the chop discussion came up. I was chip leader but an offer of better than 2nd for everyone and play for the rest (after a quick discussion with Tighty and Sninatras - the backup team) seemed a good compromise. I have to say that I was dissapointed in myself for not playing it out without a deal, I wanted to WIN but the financial logic won over and in the end was the best result for me.
I didn't play after the deal any differently than before and I am only gutted that I was beaten by the infamous blonde 4 7 which was just a cruel poetic justice thing!!
The financial reward has only just kicked in. I reverted to being a woman immediately after the game and had to blub in the toilets (and later in front of Jen and Dina) just to get the adrenalin/disappointment/excitement or whatever it was out of my system.
I had had so many people coming up to me during the breaks, all the waitresses, players I have never seen before and loads of Luton players, all gunning for me to win that I was overwhelmed by the support. Everytime I looked up from the table there was another person catching my eye and telling me to win.
I was genuinely devastated not to finish first, I had talked myself into winning, and to be pipped at the post was horrible, but an hour or so later with a cheque in my handbag, and a shopping trip planned for Saturday I am extremely happy!
A big thank you to everyone who works in the card room, they were great, almost as disappointed as I was that it wasn't a local win, but it was amazing for me to play with some great players.
Never before have I experienced so much genuine support and good wishes, when Jen told me that people were rooting for me on the forum I was really touched, and it kept that competitive spark going, knowing that people were following the play. Tighty, Tikay, Jen, Snoopy and Kev were brilliant, although I was there on my own I never felt alone.
I'm about to unpack my trophy
open the baileys and wake up tomorrow wondering if it really happened. When the boyfriend asks for his 10% I'll remember it did!
Down to earth with a bang, first bottom in tomorrow at 9, but I have a feeling that without the help of alcohol I won't sleep much between now and then!
In Tikays words 'it's been emotional'.
Tracey x
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