Just thought I"d share my experiences of the weekend in Cardiff with you all.
As the title suggests this was my 8th National Event and at last I managed to make it to day 2.
Played quite loose early on and managed to donk off half my stack by the middle of level two, but then the poker gods decided to smile on me. Dealt KK in BB and with an early pos. raiser and a call I raised it up and both called. Flop
and two diamonds. I bet a small amount (i think) and fold and a raise from the late pos so I pushed all-in and got called by a flush draw. So here we go I thought out in the 2nd level, but the turn brought a very welcome 4th King and a double up.
Shortly after I was dealt the pocket K"s again after a raise a call, a Q high flop saw a push with the guy holding AQ after I had raised and with no Aces in sight another big pot came my way. After this I managed to build my stack upto around the 30K mark when our table was broken. (damn).
I then ran into pocket aces twice once holding JJ and the other holding Q9s on a 9 high board and was down to about the 17K mark. What the poker gods give they taketh away.
After this I played ABC poker and the prospect of making day 2 was getting nearer and nearer. Was moved to Duncthehat"s table late on, just after he had suffered a beat by the empty chair, and once again my presence bought his downfall. Although it was Liv who hammered home the final nail. I then moved to Dewi"s table and managed to talk him into calling my Aces with AQ and this double up meant day 2 was within my grasp.
If they gave out medals for the most folds in the last 2 levels of day 1 then I surely would have won the gold. I even thought about going to the bar and just posting the blinds in the last level just in case I got tempted. I know people are going to say I should have tried to build my small stack so I could have had more of a chance on Day 2 rather then coming back as the shortest stack, but you have to remember this was my 8th National event and day 2 had so far eluded me.
So as TK annouced the end of the days play I had a nice smile on my face as I bagged up my 17k in chips and headed for the bar.
Day TwoSecond hand of the day pushed with Q,10 and was called by Jack Prime (Scooby Doo) holding AJ in the BB and that was that. At least I can say I was there.
Just like to say a big thank you to my mate Nigel for railing me and for driving to London and back, thanks mate.
Also another big thank you to everyone involved for making it yet another great weekend.
See you all in Kustria!
