It's jumping into the swimming pool for the first time.
Fine, yes I'm a big girl. You stand on the edge in the desert knowing the damn thing isn't heated and throw yourself in. Let me know how that works out for you. Anyways, as always I did it, and for 5 seconds it was horrifying, then the rest of the time was pretty good as I did some laps and loosened myself up for the day to come, and whatever pain and turmoil it may bring me. Felt like a small victory. I'll take it anyway.
Off to shower, then play the noon event at the Golden Nugget. Updates to follow.
Had a few moments accessing the wifi here today but finally seated and plugged in. 205 players currently and crash helmet firmly on. One young guy already shipped 66 preflop fore 15k at 100/200. The old rock with aces gave him a spin.
Made the first break with starting stack. Won a few tiddly pots. Nowt to report of any note. Talking and bullshitting. The dealer just asked me if I was Australian. The Australian guy at the table laughed loudly.
Currently on level 5...100/200/25. This definitely ain't the WSOP. Some pretty questionable shoves and reshoves on my table, which is all good of course. It's kind of a free country. I'm still in plod mode which some might say is too cautious, but I still find it hard to win these things with 246 players still remaining.
Level 6 and the most excitement I've had so far today is getting very alarmed that the French guy in the 4 seat is riffling his chips, then eating potato chips out of the bag with the same hand and licking his fingers. To coin a phrase...ew. If he wins the tournament good luck to him, he'll need to money to cover the medical bills for whatever he catches from basically licking casino chips.
Level 7 is underway at 200/400/50 and I'm still basically where I began. Less wiggle room now than earlier of course but I'm continuing with the plodding approach, and will hope someone plays bad enough to get me up over 20k soon enough.
197/260 remain on level 8 and I'm up to my old tricks with the antes as can be seen from the stack of quarters obviously. Still not enough room to get too flairy just yet. Seems like a few of the players are loose enough to pay me if I get anything. One French guy just jammed with 10 3 suited (hey, it was suited) and beat AK, so it's a regular laugh a minute here. The AK didn't seem to think so to be fair.
Won a decent pot to get myself back into shape just before the colour up break. 183/269 and I'm on about 19k with average at 21k. 10 mins of fresh air awaits.
We're about to hit level 10, and have lost just over half the field of 275, though people are still buying in (!). I've pretty much had one proper hand all day, but have dodged and weaved my way to stay around average. Still liking my table quite a bit, and I've got a pretty tight reputation (!!!!) so hopefully that bodes well going into the 500/1000/100 level.
Quiet level for me as we approach level 10. I'm on around 25k, and the lovely Sabrina has just appeared parrot-like upon my shoulder to say hi. Pal who worked at the Venetian back in the day and is now doing massage at the Nugget. Always nice to see a friendly face in the room.
99 players left from274 starters. Time to warm up very soon. They seem to have screwed up the prize pool calculations so the screens are blank where the loot should be. I try never to look anyway as most people know, but on this occasion I don't have a choice anyway 😁
I'm told now 81 left and 30 spots pay whatever the mystery prize is. Far from out of the woods yet but still motoring.
Joined at my table by good friend and former PokerStars supremo Dan Goldman. Fun guy to have at the table, even if he does have over triple my chip stack.
We've made the 1 hour dinner break, so we went exploring, and found happy hour pizza in the Grotto restaurant, along with a cheeky cocktail each. Nice company and a good way to pass the hour before battle recommences shortly.
Starting back at 800/1600/200. I'm on 20k which I can live with. Time to spin and grind.
Argh. Shortly after getting back my AQ loses to KJ and I lose about 9k of my much needed stack. Not dead but certainly a move I. The wrong direction. I feel only a bit better because if I'd jammed against the guy I was getting called and would have been out now. Ho hum.
Aaaaaand. The fun of getting it in good in tournaments continues.
Dan has been having a little ding-dong battle with another guy on the table. All good natured stuff. The other guy opens for 3800 and dan makes it 7900 or so. I find KK and jam my 13k out of the small blind. Player A folds and Dan sheepishly admits that he was just taking a shot at the other guy. He kind of has to call, and tables A10. He hits not one but two aces, and that's my day done, again around 30 off the money in a dismaying exit. No point bitching, it is what it is. However I'm disappointed to have played well and ground all day just to go out as I did. Nothing to do but call it a night and try to stay positive and prepare for the Colossus tomorrow at 6pm. Cest la vie and all that. Off to try to find a hug which won't be easy as I don't do the self pitying bad beat story. However, hugs are always good. 😕