The World Series of Poker Main Event did not go as planned. I sat down at the poker table at noon and was ready for a long successful day of poker. I took a quick glance around the massive convention center and spotted a few big name pros. Unabomber Phil Laak, Mike Matusow and Jennifer Harmon were all playing at tables within eyeshot of me. As far as my table went, Brian Wilson, Pot-Limit Holdem champion from last year sat two to my left. I knew going after his blinds was going to be tough.
During the first two hours of action, I was dealt Q-Q once, which won me a decent pot and 10-10 which I did not play because Brian Wilson raised big from under the gun and I didnt want to tangle with him early. Other than that, I think I was dealt 10-3, K-4, J-2, 8-5 a thousand times. It was frustrating to continually look down at awful starting hands, but I played tight, stuck to my game plan and ended the first 2 hour level about even at 10k in chips.
After a 20-minute break, level 2 started and I actually started to pick up hands. A-K, K-Q suited, 9-9 and more. BUT, I couldnt hit a flop to save my life. I would open it up with a raise and of course continuation bet, hoping to take the pot right there. Unfortunately, each time it was as if my opponent could see right through my cards and knew exactly what I was doing. I was raised and check-raised out of every pot I played during the first hour of level 2. I kept folding and laying down when I thought I was beat.
I made one play which I thought at the time was a good one, but I temporarily forgot that no one ever folds. I was dealt J-J and raised with one caller. The flop came down A-Q-7. I checked hoping the clown in the hand would check behind me and I could see another free card or I could check-raise him to represent a big Ace and take the pot down. (I did not continuation bet because I had been doing that and was raised out of the pot and wanted to mix things up) The guy bets after I check and I check-raise him a decent amount. Of course he calls, then calls my turn and river bets. He shows A-4 offsuit and wins the pot. Why was he playing that hand in the first place? Why is he not folding to my check-raise and then calling my turn and river bets? Some might say he made a great read, but I chalk it up to just calling and hoping. I highly doubt he had any idea where he was in the hand, but was just putting chips in the pot and praying somehow he could win the hand. You would think that a $10,000 buy-in tournament would mean better play and better players but it was no different than playing in your local home game. No one folds and there are suck-outs galore.
So no I am almost 4 hours into the tournament and frustrated with around $6,500 chips or so. I hold A-10 of diamonds and see a flop with two other guys. The flop comes down 10-10-8. I was so cised and was relieved that I was finally going to take down a pot. I knew that all it would take to double up would be to hit one flop, because like I said earlier, no one folds. I am in middle position and to my delight, the maniac first to act bets the flop. I smooth call thinking I am setting my trap perfectly. I fully expect the guy acting behind me to fold after a bet and call on a flop like that, BUT he raises! I was blown away and started to run through the hands he could possibly be holding. My guess was that he had a decent pocket pair (maybe 8s or 9s) and was trying to represent like he was holding a ten and taking advantage of position. The guy who first bet, folds and now its to me. I thought that if he was playing 10-8 suited and flopped a full house that he wouldnt have raised. Why raise when you flop a serious monster? Whats the point of raising and not milking for more chips if you virtually cant lose? Now its time for me to make a play and I move all in for another 5k or so in chips. The guy had me covered so I am hoping for him to make a donkey-call and double me up. I knew this guy couldnt lay down JJ or QQ on a flop like that so I am waiting for him to fold or hand me his chips. He asks the dealer for a count of how much he owes and makes the call after 10 seconds or so of thinking. I was amazed when he turned over 8-8 giving him a full-house which of course pummeled my three 10s. I couldnt believe how the hand played out. I missed on the turn and river and I was eliminated. Dagger.
Although that was a tough hand to deal with, I wasnt happy with how I played. I never really got into a comfort zone and was uneasy the entire tournament. I really expected to play much better and was very confident I was going to make it through at least day 1. I spent 8 days in Vegas and only played 4 hours in the World Series- backbreaker.
While I was there I played a few other tournaments- finished 97th out of 436 in a $1,000 buy-in at the Bellagio (which The Grinder went on to win) and 35th out of 260 in a $220 buy-in at Ceasars. Luckily I played well in the cash games and broke nearly even on my poker expenses. I love playing live tournament poker, especially in that environment, playing against the best players in the world. I guarantee I will be back next year and hopefully last longer than 4 hours.