Day 2
A total of 70 of the 132 original players were fortunate enough to make it to day 2. I was in a very modest position with only 18,4k in my stack, ranking 56 out of the bunch. Blinds would start at 600-1200 my plan was to make something happen fast!
Fairly early I pick up KK and with only 15.3k left there is no reason to try anything fancy. All in it is and I get a call from a player with AQ. The last hand of the final table last year in Amsterdam comes to mind where I had KK all in versus AJ. The flops brings no surprise, A97 and not looking good for my team. Turn 7, but river is a beautiful king and I was later told, the last king in the deck :) Guess it wasn’t my time just yet…
In the next level a very weird hand takes place. I’m in SB and the first card that is dealt is dealt to me and it almost flips over. I’m pretty sure that the players next to me saw it (2c), but I say nothing not wanting to give away the “strenght” of my hand in case I wont get another card. The dealer however points it out an d gives me another one. One player makes it 4300 and another one calls. I look at my hand when it’s my turn as I always do and the first card is Ac. Doh, I could’ve played A2s there, but the next cards is even better, another ace :) I think about my best move and decide that it is all in with a total of 24.3k I can win almost 11k uncontested or isolate one player and be in a great position to double up. I move all in and the first player folds immideately and just as fast player number 2 calls. He had slowplayed his QQ and was devestated when he saw my aces. Flop AJ938 is good enough and I double up and have over average for the first time since level 1.
I run into a two pair and lose a big portion of my stack and it’s not long before I’m back down to 17-18k. However I have plenty of patience and defenately not ready to give up! I’m all in 3 times in a short time and win two pots uncalled with A8s and AJ. The third time I move in from SB with A6 and the player in the SB calls with K9 and doubles me up. Blinds blinds blinds and absolutely no good spots or cards and I can soon smell the felt again. I’m down to 21.9k and decide to move all in on the button with A4s when it’s folded to me the last hand befor the break. I get called by A6s which is fine and very likely a split. Unfortunately he flops Q76, but at least I pick up a flushdraw. Turn gives me even more hope, 8, since I can now make a straight with a five. The river completes both draws with 5s and I double up and can go to dinner with a slightly better cip position; 47.6k, 27 players left and average 97.8k.
Well fed I’m ready to get back in the action, but still no cards or good positions to make moves and I find my stack getting lower and lower. I go all in with A7 with only 33.1k left in level 15 with blinds 2k/4k/400 ante. I’m called by AKs and it’s not looking good. Flop T75T3 and I get lucky and double up. Almost wasn’t worth it cause I have to hear about how lucky I was for ages after the pot. Suck it up dude, it’s happend before and it’s gonna happen again. 50.8k in my stack, 22 players left, average 120k.
I move all in with 33 on button and TT after a player limps back-2-back and add a lot of chips to my stack uncontested. I’ve never been all in so many times in a tournament before. I finish the level with 85k, average 176k och 15 left. Now I no longer smell the felt, I can smell the money… Only top 9 get paid tho and I still got work to do.
Level 17. Feels like it’s the do or die level with 4/8k blinds and 500 ante the short stacks have to make a move, especially with the tables being short handed. A good and active player raise to 22k in the cut off position. I find AKs on the button and with only about 9 BB left it’s go time. 12 players left and I defenatley need a double up to make the final table and make some money. I go all in for a total of 70.5k and after the blinds fold he calls pretty quickly with 77. I can’t remember the last time I hit with AK in an important stage of a tournament and unfortunatley the trend was not broken today. The board reads 5225Q and it’s over, sigh. I feel that I played my stack and chip position well during the whole tournament and don’t have many regrets. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough this time, but I’ll be back! I actually don’t feel bitter at all even though I got so close. It’s not the first or the last time I will “bubble” in an avent like this. Hopefully next time I hit my hand and make it to the final table. It’s great to have a sponsor backing me in the event and obviously that eases the pain a bit as well. Thanks PokerTime, for your support =)
An interesting footnote is that I had an income of negative $155/hour in this tournament. Something to think about for those out there who think pokerplayers always make money…
Fun fact of the day: I ate 22 pears during 2 days play, evidence in the picture below:
Photo from Poker.se
