The 5K report as promised

The 5K event attracted 294 players, which is about 94 more than anyone expected. On my first table, the only “name” player was Kevin Song. However, the two empty seats to my left brought a couple more in the shape of “Miami” John Cernuto and the man who is on fire, J C Tran. In fact, just as J.C. joined us, a big pot was developing as two players called a 2K re-raise on a flop of J-9-6, two spades. Miami John, who was the second caller, remarked at the how the fourth player, still to act; could push all-in. Of course, that’s exactly what happened. The obvious A-A of Kevin found the all-in too much as did the two drawing hands. At this stage, I was down to 8K from my starting stack of 10K. In fact, J.C. was second chip-leader on the table, and he hadn’t sat in a hand yet! But that would soon change…..

Having gone down 2K without coming close to connecting with a flop, I decide it was time to play a blind hand on or two. But with facing a raise of 225 (blinds still at 25-50), I had to peek at my SB hand. I guess my re-raise to 1100 (a slight over-bet here), was an indication that I liked my hand. To my pleasant surprise, J.C (who had limped UTG), calls 1100. The initial raiser (fairly loose type) seemed to respect J’C’s call more than my raise and mucked. I make a scared bet of 500 on a flop A-K-4.J.C, recognizing the weakness and raises 1300 more. I guess at this stage, I could just call with my A-A-A, but with two diamonds on board; I didn’t want a scare card on the turn to diminish further action. As it turns out, my re-raise did just that. But at least I was over 10K again! With the first break looming, I was at a whopping 13K and loving the table.

As for the “names”? J.C. departed first without winning a hand. But make no mistake! J.C. is a great player and has the perfect temperament. In fact, he was as gracious as they come and complimentary to the players who had beaten him up. But there are more wins to come from this guy. And if he does win Player of the Year, I for one would be very pleased. Because as it happens, he is one player that I have respected from the outset. I guess nice guys do finish first sometimes!

“Miami” John soon followed in J. C’s footsteps, but not before he and I chatted at how we were missing some of the games like Omaha Hi-Lo, Stud etc. These NL are of course the most popular and it makes good business sense for the casinos to run them. The problem is, there are some of us who actually enjoy OTHER FORMS OF POKER! I guess though, we have to wait for the WSOP.

Looking around the room, I see a few Brits scattered around. On the table behind, John Gale and John Duthie don’t seem to have fluctuated much. But knowing these two, that wouldn’t last long! But while on the subject of the two Johns, aren’t they just a loveable pair? In fact, if they handed out prizes for being total sweethearts, these two would conquer all.

Coming back after the break, our table is broken. But my new table sees me sitting to the immediate left of one of my favorite ladies on the tour, Evelyn Nyg. Firstly, Evelyn is always fun and polite to play with. Secondly, boy is she aggressive! The problem for her in this event, she was down to less than 4K and struggling. But that didn’t stop her from having a good old natter with me. It also didn’t stop her aggression as she raised with K-2os from the BB after the SB limped. But I guess she must have had good vibes as the deuce on the river went nicely with the K-K on the flop. Gutsy, fearless and ability; nice combination girl!

As Evelyn began to climb her way back to 10K, Peter went in the other direction. In fact, I went down to 5K as every pair between 8-8 and Q-Q brought unfavorable flops. The problem was, I was always the one raising and getting called by a bigger stack with position. It also seemed that an Ace on flop was compulsory. And if that was bad enough, the K or Q that accompanied it, was!

We are now into the fifth hour and 50% of the field is gone. But when looking at the clock, it’s not the number of player remaining that catches my eye, but the 500K on offer to the winner. Looking at my stack of almost 6K, I know it’s was time to make a move if I was to have any sort of chance. On the button with K-J, I ponder over Evelyn’s raise of 3X the BB to 1200. I contemplate an all-in move here, but something just doesn’t seem right. However, the next hand is a no-brainer as Evelyn makes it 1200 again. T-T may not be the be the best hand in the world, but there was never any doubt this time. And just to show that my pair was no fluke, it was soon followed by Q-Q and J-J. In fact, Q-Q and J-J kept coming. Only this time, I was pushing all-in on the raiser! Up to 13K and back in it!

For the fifth time on this table, the guy in seat two calls my raise. Each of the previous four times, his A-X seemed to get there. But this time, he seems to have missed the flop. The Ace was there of course, but when he checked behind me on a flop A-2-2 and then again after a rag turn, I was convinced that I had finally broken the curse. My minimum bet of 600 after a rag river, brought with it a crying call and a comment that 600 was all that his hand was worth. LOL. He turns over A-J and I am back to 10K or so. Jes, this guy plays tight or what!

Six hours gone and we are down to less than a third of the field. The blinds of 400-800 and a running ante of 75 will hurt me now - the time has come to make a stand!

With about the same 10K, seat two seems to feel the same way. But having raised to 2400 with K-J os and being re-raised by his next-door neighbor; this just cant be the hand to make a stand with. But I guess I was wrong and the A-K is gifted a present.

In the meantime, the guy two to my left and in seat 10, is stacked to rafters. The thing is, he hasn’t really played that many hands. It‘s just that when he had a hand, he got the right action. And when he was behind with 7-7 to Evelyn‘s 9-9, he got there. Evelyn departed with a statement that she was happy to end the torture that the table was dishing out. Nice girl Evelyn - hope she wins big soon.

In between me and seat ten, seat nine was down to 750 chips after his bottom two pair were drawing dead to the top pair who tripped up on the turn. But he then doubles up twice before pushing all-in pre-flop with 8-9os. He of course triples up to 10K and is right back in it. Now UTG, he finds 5-5 and pushes all-in again. Seat ten, who had won almost every hand he had played, was more than happy to oblige with his Q-Q. From 750 chips to over 22K as another five hit’s the flop. Surely this cant continue?

Next hand and we are down to less than ninety players. On the SB, I squeeze an A-Q as a late position raise of 2500 is called by the button. With just over 10K, I have enough to perhaps make them lay their hands down. In fact, looking at both the raiser’s and caller’s stacks, they don’t have much more than me. I think this is it - this is the time to gamble. But before I even get to look at the reaction of the raiser and caller, Mr 22K on BB has re-raised. Oh s***; the best I can hope for is for him to have K-K and to give my Ace a chance to get lucky. Imagine my delight when he turns over J-J. Suddenly, I was getting almost 2-1 for a coin flip and a chance to actually have some chips to play with! .

Having gone form 750 to 22K, I very much doubt if I would have played the J-J in that position. In fact, I know I wouldn’t! But I wasn’t complaining. This was my chance and more than I could have hoped for. But the flop brings little joy to my hand. And even though I hit a wheel draw on the turn, it wasn’t meant to be.

Funny game this poker. I must have had Q-Q six times on that table without getting my all-in called - why couldn’t I have had Q-Q that time? I guess like life, it‘s all about timing.