Thursday
Took a final trip to the Rio early this evening before heading to Ceasar"s for the 11pm tournament. Managed to rail the limit omaha hi lo, down to 3 tables with Marcel Luske & John Juanda sitting next to each other. Marcel had a mountain of chips and litterally played every hand whilst I watched for about 45 minutes. Even though it is limit he was at his bullying best and was a joy to watch. A great character of the game and a top player too. Juanda is a lot more quiet and reserved but no less dangerous. I sensed he was waiting on his medium stack for a chance to move in and double up. Another top player. The table broke when they got down to the last 27 (I have just seen on WSOP website that Juanda was knocked out in 10th and Marcel is chip leader on the final table, and will be big favourite to win the bracelet). I then watched some of the HORSE final, which is worth seeing when its comes onto TV just for Freddy Deeb"s shirt. He dressed with more restraint when I saw him on Tuesday so it must be for TV that the Magnum PI comes out (Freddy is in the final 3 with Hanson & Futoussi at the moment). The HORSE final is difficult to view with the limit format and the different poker variations. It will be interesting to see the TV coverage of the event. I then headed back on the shuttle bus to Ceasar"s Palace for the 11pm tournament.
105 runners sat down and my new aggressive style led to my early exit in 102nd in only 30 minutes and before the end of level 1. I managed to bluff off 60% of my stack with ace high on a queen high board. I thought matey was week when he called my bluff on the flop and checked the turn. So I fired again on the river and he made a good call after a semi long dwell with pocket
. I am now short and raise in early position with AQ off (I want action), BB calls. The flop is jack high all diamonds and it is checked to me, I smell a trap and check along. A fourth diamond on the turn and I now have given up on the hand. Check check again and the blank on the river induces a small bet from BB. I muck instantly and know he had a big diamond, he may hae even flopped the flush. Now I am really short (800 in chips with 50-100 blinds) and need to double up soon. With 1 limper before me I find 99 in SB. I make up hoping for action behind or a non paint board in which I can get busy. BB raises and limper calls, I move all in and the BB calls, limper folds. 99 vs AK (excellent, off to the races with dead money to juice the pot), flop 10 J Q and its goodnight Vienna. I played way too fast and loose tonight. I need to find a middle ground or a mix of styles that allows for calculated risks and better chip management. Busting out before the end of level 1 is stupid and something I must learn from. It had the end of term feel to the tournament tonight, being the last one in Vegas on this trip. I had also had a very relaxing few hours in the sun so perhaps was not as switched on as I should have been.
Headed back to the hotel to pack for the flight to blighty tomorrow. Also have the live audio of the HORSE final (3 left at moment, this may take some time to finish).
NO BAD BEATS - NEED TO GET PAST LEVEL ONE TO WIN ANY TOURNAMENT
