WSOP Colossus Flight 1D

We're here and we're seated. Guy to my right just pushed his last 1700 with AJ and was called and busted by JJ. Table seems pretty steady with no nutjobs so far.


Just won my first pot. 5000 now looks like 6400.

Now 7300. Much better start than yesterday, I should turn up four levels late more often.

Level 6 is almost upon us and a few new faces join the table. I'm still on around 7k and seeing how stuff unfolds. Tiptoe gently etc.

The mood has become a bit more aggressive, and having lost a couple of hands, I've now drifted back down to my original 5k starting stack. 15 mins to go until the next break and level 7. Shorter stacks are getting a bit desperate and shoving light. We're currently at 150/300/25 so no major concerns yet.

Things started to get a little squeaky as I slid slowly down the ladder. However it was just raised and called, I found QQ in the big blind, and shipped on a short stack who decided now was the time with 44. Fortunately on this occasion no fours surfaced, so I busted him and elevated to the giddy heights of around 8k. Another bit of footwork and I make the break on 9200.

Back from break and motoring steadily. Up to 11k.

We're playing 11 levels today, and currently we have 20 min to go on level 8. This doesn't mean too much of course. Getting through a WSOP day one always feels nice, but sometimes the cards or the situation dictates how things unravel. I'm currently still on about 11k. The 250/500/50 price tag stings a little, but there are a few spots on the table I can press if things get super desperate. No worries right now.

Decided it was about time I played a pot. Strong-armed my way up to 14k.

Level 9 and the 300/600/75 cost will soon bite if you're under 20k. Time for selective aggression.

Sigh. Bumped back down to 9300 after my AK ran into trip 2's when an ace flopped. Not good but certainly not a total disaster. Got moving a bit next hand or two and am back to 13k again.

My table just broke and I had to bag up and do the procession through to the pavilion where I was assigned a new table and a whole new set of foes. A few of them are smiling and chatty, which for me is generally a good sign. I've Made it to the next break with 12k in chips. We return at 400/800/100 so the pressure is still on with a sub-par stack, but still being in the hunt is what matters.

The pic above is the area out of one of the Rio exits where people congregate during the 20 minutes we get to stretch and pee. Temporary toilets, parked cars, smokers, unwashed kids talking about bad beats, and an overwhelming smell of weed. Yeah, the poker lifestyle sure can be a glamorous one at times.

We've hit the day's final level at 500/1000/100, and I've hit my peak of today at 15,500. Stolen a few but generally just played solid nuts and bolts poker. 25 min left before we bag up for the day. Of course making the next day is good as said, but also you have to play, so fingers crossed and we'll see what happens.

They just stopped the clock at the 10 minute mark, and announced 3 more hands before we bag up and are done for the day. It's been a slog certainly, but I'm happy to have got through. It's currently 3.20 am and we restart at 5pm with the combined flights. Many thanks to the people who were messaging me and chatting to me during the course if tonight. It keeps the spirits up and honestly means a lot. Phase 2 of my campaign will continue tomorrow with me starting with 14,700 at 600/1200/200. My home made curry never tasted so good...