Today is Monster stack day at the WSOP, and they really do appear to have created a monster. What started as yet another gimmick to make their poker offerings more varied for the audience, this time by offering a more traditional(at least nowadays)starting stack of 15k as opposed to the normal 4500, appears to have been a massive hit before it even starts. Mostly people with limited understanding bleat about having too few chips in the smaller WSOP events(only 180 big blinds in the $1500). My opinion is that if they actually looked at the structure, and didn't need to feel the need to just spazz out anytime they saw ace-king, then they'd realise that they have plenty o f chips. Learning how to play them of course is a problem I can't help them with. Anyway, this format started out as a novel idea, and has already proved so popular in terms of entries that they've had to add a second flight at 5pm to the start day because they anticipate a huge player turnout. I'll keep you posted on the numbers as they unfold, but either way I'd guess it'll be a very nice one to win, or even to final.
I had a late one yesterday evening, and some errands to run earlier today, so I skipped level one of today's event, and sat at the start if level two.
I'm not sure how to get the lost chips back, I'm down to my last 594 big blinds.
I've madly spun my 14850 up to 15,350. I feel I can relax a little again.
Currently we only have 7000 entrants. I'm pretty sure I can get this wrapped up before tea time.
First 20 min break and I'm sitting on a tournament winning 15500.if they could just give me the bracelet now it'd be so much more convenient.
Now half way through the next level and I'm not getting super busy.the table is a little quiet but pretty friendly. I'm not getting super creative with either poker or table antics right now. This looks like being a LONG day.
Hopefully anyway.
My cutting-edge reporting skills aren't really being tested on the table right now. No real swashbuckling or acrobatics, just plodding along and waiting for the next blind increase. Currently I'm still around the 15k starting stack approaching the second 20 min break.
Immediate fireworks on return from the break, where I flop a set of 8's on an 8 10 J two spade flop. First guy bets out heavy (1k), his neighbour makes it 4k, I fold(I know, I'm so bad) and they go to war and get it in.
They table 79 for the straight, and 7s10s for a gutshot straight flush draw.
The board runs out a straight anyway and they chop. I lost 500 chips.
Halfway into level 5 and STILL little to say about anything. I've drifted down a bit to 14k or so but it's still a slow walk until the blinds get bigger, or we lose some of these coconut-heads playing every pot like it's their last.
Just got wounded in the 3rd of these monster draw spots on the trip. Flopped a pair and a straight draw, turned a flush draw as well, bricked the river. KJ didn't find a one pair fold, and was good. Down to 11k starting level 6.
Nearing the end of level 6 and I'm currently a bit disappointed with the way things are going. I'm now on 8500 from 11k. Apart from my laydown with the 888 earlier, none of my hands have materialised into anything meaningful at all. The table isn't terribly tough, nor is it particularly easy. I'm just no catching hands. The 25 antes kicked in a while ago so at least there's a bit in the middle to win, but it's still way too early to get too flairy and generate chips. Just have a proper hand at showdown is the MO here.
Back up to 10500 after my 76s turned out to be the best hand. Now on 20 min break.
Right. New rules. My table just broke and I've been reseated in the Brasilia room on table Red #75.Again they seem a nice bunch but the French guy on my right has a MASSIVE stack, of probably 60k. The table so far seems normal but we shall have to see what happens.
Perfect.
I've just had my daily dose of Rio WSOP pain and I'm out.
4 people limp and I'm on the button with Qc6c, I steal raise to 1200, 3 of them call.
The flop is a pleasing Qd6d7s. First two check, one woman at the table bets out for 2k, I have around 9700 and I just jam. Everyone folds to her and she sigh-calls and tables Kd7d for a pair and a flush draw.
She misses the flush.
Unhappily however she rivers the 7 to make trips and beat my 2 pair and bust me.
Not a happy outcome, but again I was not unhappy with the action, and the win there puts me on a very heathy 23k or so. Maybe I'm just unlucky. I guess I need to play better.
Sigh.