20K starting stack and I get people talking in the first 10 minutes, which I always think of as a good thing. I did a hot yoga class this morning, so was jammed into a room with 30 sweaty stretching individuals, all in various degrees of pain and suffering. So, a bit like poker really.
First level is uneventful, and as we hit level 2 there are 96/101 starters. I lose one with 77 when the flop misses completely, and another when AQ suited hits a 567 flop in a four way pot with a bet and a raise. Meh.
First break at the end of level 3, and so far things are going exactly the way they have been for the last few events, so little point in embellishing the updates with the details. I was on 20K, and am now on 15K. There we are.
Back from break and I call a raise with 10 10, it comes KQ3 and a player bets half of my stack, so I fold. Next hand I fold K3 on a JJK flop with 3 way action, the turn makes a flush and the river is another King. One has three Jacks, and the other a flush. I guess I still have a lot to learn!
Qs 10s on an As Ks 4h flop looks like a good spot for me to play a big pot three way. I miss everything but it comes running 10 10 to make me trips which is good for a small pot. Currently still on 16K and trying to keep the upbeat attitude, as I am joined by a pretty and friendly Ukrainian girl on my left.
119/141 remain at 25/100/200.
Woo-hoo. Our boy got Aces and they didn't get cracked. back to 20K again.
I'm doing OK but it's a bit frustrating. I know I keep saying "gee, this is a great table", but once more, this is a GREAT table. I'm familiar with two of the players, who are passive calling stations, a couple of others are reckless and overvalue their hands, and one or two regs who are pretty ABC. The frustrating bit is I need to get some momentum going, and without winning a few pots, that isn't happening.
I decide that I'm not going to stand on ceremony, and just preflop raise and fire at the flop to win one uncontested. Feels good. Maybe we need more of that then.
Frustration continues. The play on this table is about as ABC as it gets, and yet I can't win a hand. In two hands people have got up to leave the table, not realising they have actually won an all-in. People keep discussing strategy, and how for example "he has to have AQ in that spot" or "he wouldn't reraise with 99". It drives me up the wall, as they not only openly display how basic their thought process is, but also they manage to get it wrong just about every single time! I let them get on with it, and soak up the free info.
Level 6, and back to 14K. Missed all flops, and conserving chips and waiting for the gift. Ukrainian girl gets given a virtual treble up with AK, when it was obvious she had AK to everyone nearby, including the girl cleaning the trash cans, yet she still gets paid with nothing at all but an ace on the flop. What a life.
25K now, I raised with 55 and hit the slotter on the river for a straight. Ukraine paid me off.
Well, maybe things are finally turning for our hero. I seem to be running better, and finally hitting some hands.
No. Of course not. We don't want that, do we?
I look down and find Kh Kd. Thank you Lord. I don't believe in any Gods, but maybe one somewhere is finally smiling down at me. There's a raise (we're on level 8) to 1800, and I flat. Yes. I flat. There are people behind, and the raiser will fire again, 100% on any flop. We can disagree on it, but I'm the one with the chips, and you're the one reading the updates, so let's just crack on.
Four of us see a flop, and I'm ready to get aggressive given the chance, or bail if it looks really unfavourable based on the action.
Flop comes 236, with two diamonds. Innocuous enough maybe. The original bettor leads out for 3K as I felt he would. I call, and the others both fold.
Turn card is the 3s. I like that card. He bets 6K, and I tank, and then shove for 14K more.
He asks for a count, looks at the board, twiddles his chips. So, he clearly has none of this at all. Great. A crying call from 10 10, JJ or QQ would be just great thanks.
He calls. I instantly table my hand, as I always do showing KK.
He looks at my cards, looks back to the board. Sighs a bit.
Then turns over Ac As. Great.
No love on the river, and I'm out again in a pot that would have put me as comfortable chip leader on the table. Never mind. It was only 56K or so, and now I have all this free time today before day 1C starts tomorrow. So I guess it's actually a blessing.
Over. And out.