Video seems to bea bit tricky at times to upload to the website, though I do think it's a very good addition to updates. What'd be better is an update(video or typed) where I say "right guys, we're in the money and now through to day two". Regardless I don't want to rely on video and just be lazy, I'd rather talk about something specific, or do a pre or end of days poker post. Anyway, I will get back to writing actual stuff today.
I can be brutally realistic about tournaments. A bad spell can seem to go on forever, and sometimes afterwards it's easy to question whether the move made at the time was the right one for that time. So far on this trip I'd give it probably 63/35in favour of the hand just playing out naturally, with the 35 being either a misstep, or the right move that maybe I didn't need to do at that time. Hindsight of course is always 20/20.
Today's $1k as we know is normally quite busy, and you never know what to get in terms of some guys will happily ship 3k in immediately, and some will play it like it's actually a WSOP event. I feel OK and am up and about nice and early so let's see what unfolds. More to come soon.
A couple of new and aggro players have sat down. Most pots are getting opened and re popped. Pots a bit bigger than I'd normally expect at 25/50. I went from 3k down to a less than ideal 1200. Now back to 3100 by virtue of finding the aces and the other guy missing his monster draw. Shows I'm not the only one who misses those then.
Up to 5k. Playing small-ball pots.
"You'll never win this tournament folding some of those hands".
The nice aggressive kid on my right plays almost every pot and is incredulous at some of the folds I've made and the way I've played some hands. Luckily on his first ever WSOP trip he's willing to educate me for free. I very visibly made notes of his tournament advice on my iPad, much to the amusement of the rest of the table. A bit late someone Googles me and informs him this may not be my first rodeo after all.
Just played a pot with him and gave him the treatment. Now he's not sure whether to shit or wind his wristwatch. Up to 6k.
Even though my stack's OK, it still feels like it could all go in on this table anytime. We're 15 mins into level 4. Players coming and going, the mood is still fairly good, and no one can really put me on a hand because of my style of mixing it up.
Currently about 1700 players and I'm still on 6k.
Down to 4500. Saw a few flops that turned to dust. No major complaints. Break in a bit for 20 mins before level 5.
I just popped up to 7k before the break. Against the only player at the table who I think is irritated that everyone's having a laugh and a good time, I raised his blind with 55. He ships his last 1800 with K8 offsuit and I decide to try to replace him with a more cheerful player instead. I hold and he leaves, after having said 3 words all day.
20 min break.
Back from break and up to 100/200. I'm quickly up to 8200. Gaining a little momentum now.
Players still busting out fairly fast. I'm feeling ok and not going too crazy. Just keep plodding. We're already down to 800 players from 1738.
Down to 6600. Missed a bunch of flops.
Back from break and the screen says 550 players remain from 1841. Not sure if these are the final numbers but must be close.
Lost 2 small pots immediately on return, now on 7k at 150/300/25.
Down now to 5500. Hands ok just no flops that correspond. Some deep stacks on my table and lots of 3 and 4 betting. Patience.
Going down pretty fast, both my stack and the players. Now 470 left. Pretty aggro table with no easy spots. I'm on 5k. I think the best approach here is to find a hand and play it hard, rather than try to see flops when the standard raise is 625-700. Too expensive with this stack. Wait it out and go with the hand.
Just found the aces, vs an over aggressive AQ, and am now up to 11,500, my high point of the tournament. My table then broke just as I was about to post the big blind. Weeeee. Average is 13k, and 410 remain.
Just had to lay down AQs and AK when the preflop action went mad on my new table. I would've lost both times. One guy on my new table must have 70k. Back to grinding again I guess.
We just all went to 9 handed instead of 10, which is obviously more comfortable,but also means the blinds creep in that little bit quicker.
We're still probably 200 players from the money, and whilst I've no desire to have another long day for absolutely nothing, I still feel playing as the aggressor and not being passive reaps better long term rewards. The big stack on my table just proved that with his AQ, smashing the short stacked allin guy with JJ to pieces and adding probably another 12k to his already huge stack. He's opening lots of pots and using his stack well, so if I get it all in the middle with him, I may have to clench and pray because he looks willing to gamble a bit against the low men.
My bad on the antes. It's 300/600/75, not 300/600/50. Which clearly will make a huge difference to my strategy
Just had one of those "life" moments. Almost shipped AQ, but there were 2 All-ins before me, and despite it being a good treble up spot for a shorty, I let it go. They show 77 vs AJ and the AJ proceeds to makes trip jacks. Whew.
Sigh.
Poker really can be more brutal than any bad relationship, and believe me, I've had far more than my fair share of those.
I flat an early min-raise with AhJh in middle position. Everyone else folds.
Flop As 3d Js. He immediately open shoves with 8s9s, I call for 5k. He rivers a scabby flush and I'm out. Well played Kevin.
I'll tell myself it's all character building stuff. Busted after yet another 11 hours, this time 110 spots off the money and surviving through some 1400 odd players. Some of them extremely odd. Little to do unfortunately but wish everyone luck and leave.
Will maybe write a bit more if I get home in one piece. Thanks for the supportive messages x