JUST ONE DAY

 

My schedule was tight. It usually always is. Because apart from being a poker amature and poker writer, I am also an artist, a chef, a biker, a single dad and a writer for other things. So, the only moment I had to play the PHP 1.5 Million Guaranteed tournament of 9D Poker Club was on Day 1A, a Wednesday. And if I missed out on that, then that was it. I had other commitments on the other days, including an out of town weekend trip, but if need be - I'd be back for the 2PM Day 2 Final on Sunday.

I jumped in at Level 7 with the 25,000 starting stack and the average at 49K. I more-than-doubled in my first orbit, scooping some uncontested pots, then braving 9-9 against A-K. The nines held and I jumped up to 72K with the average at 52,000. By the last break before end of registration, I had amassed 105,000 (70BBs) with the average at 63,000. There were 42 still playing out of the 111 total entries. My stack moved up to 113,500 and I just played a bit conservatively.

Then, I got hit by set over set. My set of fives not good enough against a set of sevens. We both flopped it. Went down to 30,000 (20bbs). Doubled to 61,500 soon after with Ace-Queen taking it from Ace-Ten. We both flopped the Ace, but I turned the queen. He shoved and I just had to call. 

Grinded my way back to an 85,000 stack, then was in a small blind vs big blind preflop when the small blind raised x3 and I moved all in with A-J. He snapped with 9-9. I spiked the Jack on the flop to take the lead, but when the board was completed, dude made a straight and left me with 4,500.

Shoved all-in with Queens and got called by K-9 suited. He found his flush and I found the exit at 30th, 13 places short of the 17 to make ITM.  Some unlucky moments, but I believed I played well, considering the outcome. All you can ask for is to be satisfied with the decisions you make and have fun. Yes, we had fun.