WPT $15000 Doyle Brunson Classic

This was a real nightmare! I busted in the last 10 minutes of the last level of the day, and I have been totally outplayed all day by a bunch of crazy players making moves after moves.
After such a disaster, you want to quit poker!

Level 1 - 50/100 - 10000 chips
I don't know anyone at the table. I see some old indian guy with a WSOP bracelet but I don't know who he is. Two chairs are empty: David Williams, and one crazy scandinavian player.
My goal is to play tight and try to find one occasion to double up.
EP raises to 300, 4 callers, I call my SB with Td7d. Flop comes T95 rainbow. It's checked to button (WSOP guy). He bets 1400. I suspect a steal and I raise 3500. He reraises 10000 and I have to fold. A nice start!
I splash in a few pots in position with KJs, ATs, AJs but there are always raises and reraises on the flop before it comes to me and as I flop nothing, I have to fold.
I raise EP to 350 with AKo. One caller. SB (WSOP guy) reraises to 3050. I call, as the other player. Flop comes A35o. SB checks. I bet 8000 and they all fold. WSOP guy shows KK. I guess I was lucky on this one! This puts me back to 30K chips and I feel a little better.
EP raises to 300. I call MP 99. Button raises to 1300. We both call. Flop JJ4. It's checked to button who bets 2500. He seems quite solid (one of his first hand), so I fold. He shows QQ.
I raise 300 with 44, one caller. I cbet the 238 flop and take the pot.

Level 2 - 100/200 - 29350 chips
LP raises to 800, SB calls, I call from BB with 99. Flop 945. The dream! We all check. Turn K. Checked to button, who bets 800. SB calls. I raise to 2800, to build up the pot, only SB calls. river is 8. BB checks. I value bet 2000. He whines and finally calls. He mucks to my set.
MP raises to 600, I raise to 1600 OTB AKs. MP calls. Flop 965. He checks, I cbet 1600 and take the pot.
I bluff some chips when my moves are killed by other moves. David Williams and the scandinavian are now at the table, and the dynamic changed a lot. Much more action now!
EP raises to 600. SB calls. I call from BB with K5. Flop KK3. Check check. EP bets 1000. SB reraises to 3000. I call, and I see that it was a move from the SB. EP laughs and folds. Turn is 5, SB checks and insta fold to my 3K bet.
MP raises to 600, I raise to 1800 (waiting for other reraises) but they all fold.
Now the scandi guy calls absolutely all raises in position, and raises all bet on the flop. He is quite good, because it works and he makes a lot of chips.

Level 3 - 100/200, 25 ante - 40500 chips
I raise MP to 700 with AdKd. Scandi player calls on the BB. Flop comes AhQh5s. He bets 1200. I'm 90% sure he has the flush draw. I raise to 3500, but he calls. Turn is 3h. I now I'm beat. He bets 3K. I still call, I just can't fold, even if I'm drawing dead to a flush. River is 5 and pairs the board. Scandi checks. I now he will call even if I go all in (he has a ton of chips now - and anyway I don't have enough balls to take the risk) so I check and lose to Jh8h.
I start to be slightly on tilt.
I raise UTG to 600 with KsQc. Button calls. Flop comes Jc8c3c. I check call a 800 bet. Turn is 9c giving me a flush. I check, he checks. River pairs the board. I check, he checks and mucks.
I limp with KQo. Tight player reraises to 700. I call. Flop comes AK7. I check fold to 1200 bet.
EP raises to 700. Button calls. I call SB wih As9s. BB calls. Flop 567 with 2 clubs. Checked to the button who bets 2200. I call, planning to bluff the turn. Turn is 4h. This is a very nice card for me (virtual out). I bet 3000. Button goes in the tank and finally folds.
I raise EP to 750 with AKo. 3 callers. BB reraise 8K. I think I have many callers with already an ace, and I'm pretty sure the BB has a big pair. I fold. Only the crazy scandi calls. Flop comes QT4 all spades. BB goes all in. Scandi calls! BB shows JJ (no spade) and scandi 66 with one spade. They are all sick!
WSOP limps UTG, I raise to 1000 with KK. 3 callers. Flop T66 with 2 clubs (I don't have any club). WSOP guy bets 13000! I can't call here, it would be for all my tournament, and I have 3 players behind who could also have a 6. I fold, it's very weak, I know, but I still have some chips and we have time.

Level 4 - 200/400, 50 ante - 32850 chips
I raise UTG KdQd to 1500. One caller. Flop J74 all clubs. I bet 2K, opponent calls Turn 7d. I bet 4K and opponent folds. I thought he was waiting for another club (and he was a quite player, not the crazy scandi who would have put me all in in a flash).
I splash in a few pots but nothing big. I'm quite card dead all level, and I try to avoid the crazy battles between two scandis and David Williams.
One short stack raises to 1500 UTG, it's folded to my BB. I see AQs I put him all in. He insta calls with JTo but I lose the 65/35.

Level 5 - 300/600, 75 ante - 23950 chips
I raise EP 1700 with 77. Scandi calls on the button. Flop A35, I check fold to 3K bet. Maybe he had the ace, maybe not, but if I raise, he reraises and I can't call.
Our table is broken and I'm moved to a new one where I only recognize Max Pescatori.
I raise three times in a row, and take the blinds (AT, QQ, A8s).
Button raises to 1600. I call from SB with KQo. BB folds. Flop comes 99T. I check call a 2K bet. Turn is 7. I bet 3K, button raises 13K. He has a ton of chips, I don't have any fold equity, and he may also have the goods, so I fold.
I'm down to around 16K.
Next hand, I'm on the button. I see KhQd. I raise to 1800. SB folds, BB calls. Flop 2d8dQh. BB checks, I bet 3K. BB raises 8K. I have 12K left. I'm tired, and depressed by the fact I have been again a small stack all tournament. I go all in, this is a surrender move. BB shows 22 and I'm a 6% dog. No miracle and I'm out.

Of course, I regret my last all in, but I was really depressed about my play so far, and I guess I was on tilt. I never had a chance to do anything in this tournament. I have been outplayed a lot, and even if I have managed to have a few nice hands and do a few nice bluffs, this wasn't enough.

I can't find the recipe to build a stack early in a tournament. Maybe I should shove and 4 bets people with 46o but I'm not sure I have enough heart to do that. I believe more in survival, building a tight solid image, and use it. Of course, you need cards at a point, and some luck to win the coin flips or have your hands hold.

Anyway, I was pretty washed up after this defeat, and I think I need some time without poker. Next big tournament for me will be EPT Dortmund on January 29th.

Tomorrow is the big one!

I have tried my luck in two $1500 super satellites, but I wasn't able to go very far. So I directly bought my ticket for Day 1A of the $15000+$400 Doyle Brunson Classic (WPT event).

We'll start with $30,000 chips, 90 minutes levels (first level being 50/100), and first day will play 5 levels.

If there are more than 400 players (and I'm certain there will), 100 places are paid (and I think top 70 will take $30K, which is quite nice).

Many top names will be there, so I hope not to draw a too tough table, and make my way to Day 2!

$5180 event #10 at the Bellagio

$5000+180 NLHE. 307 players, top 27 paid. First place 523K$.
10000 starting chips stack.

I skipped the first level (I was sleeping), and I was completely card dead for the next three levels. I try to do some moves, but I'm always reraised by the blinds or late position player who wakes up with a big pair.
I'm down to 5150 chips with the 100/200 25 ante level. I see my first pair (88), I raise, short stack goes all in for 2800 and I win the coin flip against KQ.
I make one move to steal some chips, and then there is a table redraw. Level is 200/400, 25 ante. I'm UTG and I'm dealt my first hand here. I see KK. I raise to 1250. One caller in position, and BB calls. Flop Jh4h8d. SB checks. I go all in to protect my hand (around 6000), and I'm called by A8 of hearts. Turn is a heart and I'm drawing dead.

I think I have played well on this tournament, no mistakes at all. I could have doubled up with my kings (I certainly play this hand perfectly, so no hard feelings).

Now all the preliminary tournaments are over.

I will play one or two super satellite to the $15K WPT, hoping to save the entry's price. First try tonight at 10PM.

$5180 event #9 at the Bellagio

$5000+180 NLHE. 287 players. 10000 starting stacks. Top 27 are paid. First prize: 490k$

Level 1 - 25/50 - 10000 chips
I miss the first level, I was sleeping.

Level 2 - 50/100 - 9700 chips
I limp UTG 9Ts, miss and fold.
I raise UTG to 300 with KK. 3 callers. Flop comes a magic KK6 with two clubs. I make quads! All check. Turn 5 hearts. SB bets 1200. I call. Another caller in position. Nice! River 2c. SB bets 2000. I min raise 4000. Other player folds and SB calls. He shows 78s and I win a nice pot.
I limp after a limper with 99. 4 callers. Flop AT2. I fold after a 500 bet from ultra tight player.
I call a 300 raise from SB with Q9o. 5 on the flop. 8cTcJd. I bet 600, hoping for a reraise. It works and BB reraises 1500. I reraise 4500, hoping to be against two pairs or a set, but he insta folds.
I limp 9Ts, 2 callers + the blinds. Flop T3Q. I bet 300 and take the pot.
I raise UTG AJo 300, and fold to 2400 all in (QQ).
MP raises to 300. I reraise 900 with AA. He calls. Flop Q84 rainbow. I bet 1000, opponent calls. Turn J. I bet 2000 and he folds.

Level 3 - 100/200 - 21350 chips
EP limps. SB calls. I raise to 700 with AQo. Limper calls. Flop 875. I check fold 1200 bet.
EP raises to 400. I call with 33. I miss my set and fold.
LP raises to 600. I call with AQ. BB calls. Flop Q22. Check check. LP bets 1200. I raise to 3200 and he calls. Turn 7. I check cakk 2500 bet. River is 8. I check, opponent goes all in and I fold (he shows 42). This wasn't a good idea to slow play my AQ against a loose player (but at the time I thought he was very tight!).
CO raises to 600. Button raises to 2400. I suspect some steal, and I raise 6000 with JJ from my SB. They all fold very quickly.

Level 4 - 100/200, 25 ante - 16200 chips
210 players left, 13600 average stack.
I limp with 78s but miss and fold.
I call a 600 raise with KQ on the CO. I miss and fold to 3K bet on the flop.
I limp with 33 and fold to 1050 raise.
EP raises to 600. I call from BB with A9o. 5 on the flop. AT9. I check. Initial raiser bets 1000. I raise to 3000 and he calls. Turn 3. I bet 5K and he calls all in. He shows AQ and river is 3. This was a nice gift!

Level 5 - 200/400, 25 ante - 26025 chips
170 players left. 17K average stack.
I steal with A7. I try again with A5 but fold to a 3500 reraise all in bet.
CO raises to 1250. Button calls. I call SB with 66. BB folds. Flop QJ6 all diamond. I bet 3000 and they all fold.
I raise 1200 with AK and take the blinds.
I raise 1200 with QJs. 3 callers. Flop T87. I bet 2500 and fold to a 8000 raise (he shows TT).

Level 6 - 300/600, 50 ante - 22700 chips
EP raises to 1900, I call with 66. Button calls. Flop ATT. I fold to 4000 bet.
I steal with A9 UTG.
LP raises to 1750, button reraises to 3500. I call from SB with AQs. Flop T92. I'm against very lose players, and I have a very solid image. I bet 5000 and they all fold.

Level 7 - 400/800, 75 ante - 25425 chips
109 players left. 27K average stack.
Loose player raise to 2700. I call with TJs. Flop 776. He checks fold my 3500 bet.
LP raises to 2500. I reraise to 6000 from BB with 57 and opponent folds ATo.
SB calls, I raise to 3K with 77 and he insta folds.
MP raises to 2200, I raise to 6K with 66 and he folds.
I'm using my image to steal and it works. Of course, I select my spots.
I raise OTB 2200 with TJo. Blinds call. Flop AQ7 2 diamonds. It's checked to me. I bet 4000 and SB goes all in. I fold. I should have checked to see the turn with my draw.

Level 8 - 600/1200, 100 ante - 28800 chips
83 players left, 35K average stack.
I'm card dead and blinded down to 25K.
UTG limps, button calls. SB calls. I'm on BB and I see 99. I decide to make a move and raise 10000. UTG insta goes all in. I hope he is on AK and I call. He shows QQ and his hands holds.

I'm out in 79th position

I made a terrible misake on my last hand. I should have raises 5K, not 10K! Then, I could have folded to his all in bet. By putting 10K, almost half of my stack, I was committing myself! This was a really stupid move. 5K would have sent the same message.
I was really angry at myself for a while after this donkey move.

Once again, I had a good start, and got totally card dead at level 6/7. I made some steals to survive and keep myself in the average, but I never got any opportunity to build a nice stack. This is a persistent problem: I do well during first three levels, and then get totally card dead when blinds go up and I have after to survive.

I don't think I ever have been in commanding chip position in any tournament I have played (except when making it to the final table where I suddently double or triple). Maybe I play too tight and scared, waiting for the right cards. I should use my solid image more and take more risks, especially by reraising suspicious raises (which is better than just trying to steal the blinds).

Tomorrow is another $5K event. I'll try to make much more resteal from level 6 (if I make it to there, of course).

$2620 event #8 at the Bellagio

$2500+120 NLHE. 319 players. 5000 starting stack. Top 27 paid (1st prize 280K$)

Level 1 - 25/50 - 5000 chips
I come 20 minutes late.
I limp EP 22, MP reraise 250. I call.I miss my set and check fold to a 500 bet.
I raise UTG AcQc 200. 6 callers. Flop JJ4. Blinds check. I bet 1000, representing a big pair, and they all fold (only a jack would pay me, and I took the shot).
MP raises to 175, button calls. I raise to 700 from BB with AsKc. 2 callers. Flop Ks7c8c. I check, planning to raise any bettor, but it's checked. Turn Qd. I bet 1500 and take the pot.

Level 2 - 50/100 - 7300 chips
I raise UTG to 300 with 77. One caller. Flop K83 rainbow. I bet 525, opponent raises 1500 and I fold.
MP raises to 250, I call OB with 34s. Flop 2J7, I fold to 600 bet.
I raise to 300 in LP with A5s and take the blinds.
2 limpers. I limp OTB with Q8s. Flop AJ7 suited, not mine, and I fold.
I limp with 76s. Button raises to 375. BB calls. I call. Flop 233 rainbow. I check fold 525 button bet.
I limp UTG A8s. 3 callers. I miss and fold.
Max Pescatori raises 200 OTB. I reraise from SB to 525 with AA. He calls. Flop 369 all spades. I check, he bets 500, I raise 1500 (I have the ace of spades) and he folds.
UTG raises to 300, one caller, I call OTB J9s. Flop TQ3 rainbow. It's checked to me, I bet 600 and they all fold.
EP raises to 275, folded to my BB. I call with JcQc. Flop 9cTc2d. I check, opponent bets 475. I raise to 1500 with my straight flush draw. He insta goes all in! I'm a favorite against AA, so unless he has AKc I have a ton of outs. I call and he shows 5c8c! I'm 90% favorite and my hands holds.

Level 3 - 100/200 - 13900 chips
240 players left, 6600 average stack.
I raise to 600 in MP with 88. One caller. Flop A35 rainbow. I cbet 800 and take the pot.
MP raises to 525. SB calls. I call BB with A9o. Flop A84 all diamonds. I check. Raiser bets 1025, Max Pescatori raises to 2100. I fold (no diamond), and they both finally go all in. Raiser shows 87 diamonds and Max AJo (no diamond). So Max Pescatori is out in a flash.
I raise CO 600 with QJs and take the blinds.
I raise LP 600 with 22, BB reraises 2000 and I fold.
I raise MP 600 AJo and take the blinds.
I raise UTG 600 AQo. Button calls. Baby flop. I bet 800 and button calls. Baby turn. I bet 1500 and he calls. Baby river, check check and I lose vs JJ.
SB raises 700. I call A3s. Flop 438. I bet 1000, opp calls. Turn 5. Check check. River K. Check check and I win vs AQ.

Level 4 - 100/200, 25 ante - 12000 chips
190 players left. 8500 average stack.
Button raises to 625. I reraise to 1625 ATo. He calls. Flop AcJc3d. I bet 1500, opponent calls. Turn Jh. I check call 2500 bet. Turn 9d. Check check and opp mucks.
One limper, I raise 900 TT and they all fold.
I raise UTG AJo 700, one caller. Button reraises 2000, I fold.

Level 5 - 200/400, 25 ante - 17700 chips
140 players left. 11400 average stack.
Sorel Mizzi is moved to our table and he raises 80% of his hands. I'm totally card dead and stay out of the way. Sorel finaly gets trapped by AA and he his out. He is replaced by Barry Greenstein.

Level 6 - 300/600, 50 ante - 14300 chips
99 players left. 16000 average stack.
I raise OTB 9To to 1625. SB reraises 4500, I fold. I had a very tight image, I could maybe have push all in, but I didn't put him on a resteal (he knew it was the first hand I was playing for one hour and half).
EP raises to 1800. One caller. I go all in from BB with J2o, and they fold. At least I could use my image on this move!
I raise MP J8s to 1600. BB calls. Flop T62. Check check. Turn A. BB 2200 and I fold. I should have cbet this one.
I raise EP to 1600 with QhQc. BB calls. Flop KcTc6d. BB checks. I bet 2500, and he calls. Turn Js. BB goes all in. I have a lot of outs (40% underdog against two pairs). I'm priced to call, so I push my chips in the center. River is a brick and I'm out.

I'm out in 80th position.

Once again, I had a nice start, doubling early, but getting under the average around level 6 and in survival mode. Maybe I shouldn't be so passive when I'm card dead. I could make more moves and try to steal some chips. Stealing must be the only way to get me out of trouble when I start to have a small stack.
This is a difficult decision: is it better to stay out of the way, survive and wait the perfect opportunity to double, or should I be much more active and steal my way to a bigger stack, taking greater risks of being knocked out earlier?

$2100 event #7 at the Bellagio

$2000+100 NLHE, 362 players, 4000 starting stack.

Level 1 - 25/50 - 4000 chips
MP raises to 150, SB calls, I call from BB with A8. Flop AKQ. All check. Turn K. SB bets 300. I call. River 3. Check check and I win vs QJ.
I limp UTG 55. 4 callers. I miss the set and check fold.
MP raises to 150, button calls. I call from BB with 77. Flop QQ3. Checked to button who bets 200. I call and MP calls too. Turn 2. Checked to button who bets 400. I call. River is 5. I'm pretty sure I'm ahead so I value bet 500 but button folds. I maybe should have check call here to let button bluff one last time.
UTG limps. I call from SB with KQ. BB checks. Flop KJ7. I check. BB bets 100. UTG calls, I call. Turn 8. I check call 300. River 5. I check call 900 and lose to K5. I played this hand horribly. I should have check raise on the flop.
MP raises to 150. I call BB with 66. Flop comes 2Q9. Check check. Turn 9. I check call 300. River K. I fold to 1000 bet.

Level 2 - 50/100 - 4350 chips
MP raises to 300. I reraise to 950 with QQ and take the pot.
I raise EP to 300 with 78s and take the blinds.
I raise MP to 350 with 88. BB calls. Flop 9s2s7d. BB checks. I bet 600. He calls. Turn 8d. BB checks. I bet 1050 he goes all in 1500 more. I call and win vs Kd3d (no diamond on the river).
I raise UTG to 275 with AKs and take the blinds.
Tight player raises on the CO to 300. I call SB with AJo. BB calls. I check fold the baby flop.

Level 3 - 100/200 - 7100 chips
270 players left. 5300 average stack.
I limp EP TsJs. One caller. Flop 6d7d9h. I bet 450, BB reraise 1500, I fold.
3 limpers, I raise 1200 JJ. Short stack calls 68s for 500 and I win.
I'm quite card dead for all the level.

Level 3 - 100/200, 25 ante - 7000 chips
180 players left. 7000 average stack.
Folded to me on the SB. I see KQ and I want to raise to 600 but I make a mistake with my chips and it's a call. BB checks. Flop QJ5. I bet 400, BB calls. Turn A. I bet 1000 and BB calls. River is 5. Check check. I win vs K9.
I raise OTB AQ and take the blinds.
EP raises to 550. I call OTB with A5s. Flop Kc8c5h (I don't have clubs). Check. I bet 800 and opponent folds.
EP raises to 500. I call with 77. Flop Q96 all diamonds. EP bets 600, I fold.

Level 4 - 200/400, 25 ante - 8500 chips
140 players left. 10000 average stack.
I raise LP to 1200 with KQo and take the blinds.
Idem with 55.
MP raises 1150. I call from SB with QJs. Flop K93 rainbow. I check. MP bets 1700. I raise 4000 and opponent folds.
I raise LP with KQo and take the blinds.
EP raises to 1050. SB goes all in 3500. I go all in from BB with AQs. EP folds and I win vs AJ.
I'm at 17000 chips and feelling good.
I raise in LP to 1200 with KQo. Button calls. Flop JTT. Check check. Turn K. I check. Button bets 3000. I go all in and he call with AQo (I thought only very few hands could call my all in, and he unfortunately had one). I'm saved by ace on the river and we chop the pot!
I raise 1200 EP with KK and take the blinds.
EP raises to 1050. I reraise to 3000 from BB with TT. He insta goes all in for 11200 more, I fold.
I raise 1200 with AJ, BB reraises 3200. I fold and he shows AA.

Level 5 - 300/600, 50 ante - 13800 chips
93 players left. 16K average stack.
I raise UTG to 2000 with QQ and take the blinds.
I raise OTB to 2000 with AA. BB makes a move and goes all in. I call and win vs QJo.
I raise LP to 2000 with AK. BB goes all in 4000 I call and win vs KQ.
I have around 28000 chips. Very nice run!
But disaster stikes: EP raises to 2000, short stack goes all in 3500. I go all in with QQ from BB. EP calls! EP shows KK, short stack shows AA and I have the worst hand. King on the flop and I lose 12175 chips in total. Back to short stack again :(
I raise EP to 1700 with 66 and take the blinds.

Level 6 - 400/800, 75 ante - 14500 chips
64 players left. 23K average stack.
I raise LP to 2200 with A9s. BB calls (short stack). I cbet the flop after his check and win.
I raise MP to 2200 with 66 and fold after 2 reraises.
I raise my SB to 2400 with A5 and BB folds.
I raise LP 2200 ATo and take the blinds.
I raise MP 2200 AQo. SB calls. Flop AcQc8s. SB checked blind. I bet 3000. SB raises 10K. I go all in and he insta folds.

Level 7 - 600/1200, 100 ante - 25900 chips
49 players. 30K average stack.
MP raises to 3300. I call with KQs from BB. FLop A34. check check. Turn 4. I check fold to 5K bet.
I raise to 3300 with 78s. Short stack reraise all in for 3500 more. I call and lose vs AQo.
I'm card dead and get blinded. I have around 13K.
I shove LP A5. BB calls with AK but I suck out and double.
I raise EP to 3500 with 99 and take the blinds.
EP raises to 3200. I call with 88. Flop J33. Opponent bets 4000. I call. Turn Q. Check check. River K. He goes all in. I have three overcards, but I suspect him to make a move. The problem is he could make a move with 99 or TT. Some moron calls the clock on me after one minute and I eventually fold. He shows 66. It was a great play from my opponent.

Level 8 - 800/1600, 200 ante - 15800 chips
39 players left. 37K average stack.
I shove on the CO with J9s. SB calls with KK and I make a flush on the river for a massive suck out (against the same guy A5 vs AK). I'm really lucky on this tournament.
I call SB J9. BB checks. Flop KQJ. I bet 2400, BB calls. Turn 3. I check fold to 8K bet.
I raise MP to 4500 with AQo. SB raises 10800. He seems to be ultra tight, so I fold.
I'm card dead and get blinded down. I can't find a spot to steal.

Level 9 - 1000/2000, 300 ante - 19700 chips
33 players left. 44K average.
I get lucky again and double AA vs TT.
I'm card dead and get blinded down.
We are now on the bubble. I have 27000 chips. I can't do anything. Big stack reraises everyone and bully the table.
I take my chance and shove UTG with ATo. No callers!
Bubble finally busts. We are in the money!

Level 10 - 1500/3000, 500 ante - 27000 chips
26 players left. 55K average stack.
EP raises to 6500. I suspect weakness and I go all in OTB (20K) with rags. He folds.
UTG raises 8K. One calker. I call from BB with K9. Flop 455. I check. UTG goes all in and I fold. He shows A9.
I go all in OTB with K2 and take the blinds.
Idem with QQ.
I try to survive, I can just shove and hope for a double.
I shove OTB with K8. BB calls with AK and no miracle this time.

I'm out in 19th position, for a $4000 cash.

I got extremely lucky on this tournament. I made three suck outs to stay alive and make my way to the money. I couldn't play any real poker, not having a big stack enough. It was just about surviving.

It seems this is always what I'm doing: surviving. So far, I have never been in any position of dominating the table with my chips, in any big tournament. I may have a big problem in my game, and I have to figure it out.

$1590 event #6 at the Bellagio

A huge 520 players field gathered for the $1500+90 event at the Bellagio. 3000 chips starting stacks and 1 hour levels.

Level 1 - 25/50 - 3000 chips
LP raises to 125. I see AA on by SB. I reraise to 325, BB folds and raiser calls. Flop comes 79J rainbow. This is quite a dangerous flop for my aces so I don't want to slowplay anything. I bet 350 and opponent calls. Turn is 2 and put a flush draw. I bet 700 and I get a call. River is J and put a flush. I hate this card, as I put my opponent on something like KJ or QJ. I check, planning to call any reasonable bet. He checks and mucks to my aces. Maybe he had TT.
EP raises to 150, there are 2 callers. I'm on the cut off and I call with As9s. Button folds, BB calls. Flop comes KcJs7h. It's checked to me, and I check too. Turn is Ts. I now have a flush draw. Initial raiser bets 500 and there is one caller. I definitely have the odds and call. Miracle 3s comes on the river. It's checked to me and I value bet 600. I get one reluctant caller, who mucks two pairs.

Level 2 - 50/100 - 7000 chips
One limper. I'm on the button and I see AT. I raise to 400, BB cals and limper folds. Flop comes 7TJ rainbow. BB checks, I bet 650 and he calls. Turn is 2. He checks, I go all in (he has 1900 left) and he calls with the nuts, 89. I'm drawing dead. This was a really bad play, I should have folded AT preflop (or limped, but not raised; no value at stealing at this stage of the tournament).
I'm now on tilt and I raise to 300 in MP with KTo. I get 2 callers (button and BB). Flops comes Kh8d3d. BB checks, I bet 650. Button folds and BB raises 1650. I can beat only a bluff so I fold. Another great play!
UTG raises to 300. I call OTB with Ac7c (I'm on tilt). Flop comes 8s7s4s. Check check. Turn 2h. UTG bets 400 and I insta call. River is 6d. UTG bets 600. This is a really strange bet. He either has the nuts, or this is a second level bet. I go in the tank and I finally call. He shows QsQc and I muck.
One limper, I see AJs and decide to smooth call. One caller in position. Flop comes A54 rainbow. UTG bets 200, I raise to 700 and player in position reraises to 1700. UTG folds. If I call I commit myself, but I really can't beat anything but a bluff, and I can't imagine he is bluffing in this spot. I open muck AJ and he shows A4. Good laydown, but the preflop slowplay turned against me.
I have now 1575 chips... UTG limps, I go all in with 99 and they all fold.
It's the last hand before the break: MP raises to 300. Button calls. I'm on the BB and I see AKs. I insta go all in. Initial raiser folds. Button goes in the tank. He asks me if I have a pair. I'm pretty sure he has AQ or AJ. I want a call anyway. He finally calls and shows AQo. Flop comes QQJ78 and it's over for me.

I had a good start, but I really lost my mind when I got all these chips. I'm not used to have lot of chips early in a tournament, and I lost all notion of patience and solid play. I played like an idiot and I deserved to lose my chips. The final bad beat was just the icing on the cake.

$5180 event #5 at the Bellagio

After a very short (and bad) night following my victory in the $1000 nightly event, I made my way to the $5000+180 event #5 of the Five Diamonds.

197 players in total signed up for a nearly $1,000,000 prize pool. Top 18 are paid, first place of $360,000. A very nice tournament!

10000 starting stacks, one hour levels.

When I sat at my table (40 minutes lates, I had a breakfast) I understood very quickly it wouldn't be the same easy ride than yesterday! On my right, Barry Greenstein, on seat 9 Max Pescatori and on seat 10, David "The Dragon" Pham. I look around and I see Seigel, Cuningham, Devilfish, ... I stop looking and focus on my cards.

Level 1 - 25/50 - 9775 chips
Nothing happens for the last 20 minutes of the level. I win two small pots.

Level 2 - 50/100 - 10275 chips
David Pham limps (he has 525 in total, after losing a huge pot). Barry Greenstein raises to 525 to put him all in. I see QQ. Well, I'm certainly not going to smooth call that! I raise to 2000, David folds and Barry quickly folds.
David Pham raises to 400 (he has 75 left), I reraise to 1500 with AKo. It's folded to him and he calls. He shows AT and I'm on the way to bust a great player! A nice story to tell. But a ten fells on the river and I double him...
Barry Greenstein raises to 300, one caller and I call on the button with 57s. BB calls. Flop comes 955. Bingo! Barry bets 525. I smooth call, I'm sure I'm ahead and I don't want to scare anyone yet. BB folds. Turn is 9. It's not the best card for me. Barry checks, I check too, to keep the pot small (and I doubt I would get action except from 9 or 5 for a split). Turn is K. Barry bets 1500. I can beat only a bluff, but I can't fold either so I call. He mucks.
Davd Pham raises in EP to 300. I call on the button with 57s (maybe I'll be lucky again!). Flop comes 338. He checks. It doesn't look like the flop could have helped me very much so I bet 550. He goes all in (total 2000). I fold. Who am I to think to outplay the dragon?
Our table is broken, and I'm now with Noah Boeken, Devilfish and Jonathan Little (second in the player of the year competition).
We are on the last seconds before the break, everyone starts to leave the table. I see A8 on the cut off, not a powerhouse but I decide to steal using the break effect. They all fold.

Level 3 - 100/200 - 13350 chips
170 players left, 12K average stack.
I'm card dead for 20 minutes.
Devilfish raises to 600, I see A9 on my SB, but I fold. This to say that I'm playing very tight, or in position.
I'm again changed of table, but I don't recognize anyone.
One limper, button raises to 750. I call from my BB with AJs (this time, this would be too tight to fold). Flop comes 99T. I check, opponent bets 1050. I decide to make a move and raise to 3000. He goes all in and I fold. Not easy!
I'm down to 9175 chips.
I raise in MP to 600 with AKo. Button calls. Flop comes AT8 rainbow. I check, button bets 1100, I raise 3300 and he insta folds.
One limper in early position, I call on the cut off with 23s. Button raises to 1200. EP calls. I decide to gamble and I call (if I hit hard the flop I can win a huge pot). Flop comes Ah4h7d. I have a gutshot. EP bets 1500. I follow my gamble idea and call (no sense to call the raise preflop and fold when I get the flop I was looking for). Button folds. And then, the miracle: 5h on the turn. Opponent checks. I don't think he has the flush as he must have a non heart ace. I bet 4000. He goes all in. I insta call and I win vs AJ. Nice hand!
EP raises to 600, I reraise to 1800 with AdQd. He calls. Flop comes 7d2d8c. He checks. I check (I don't want to be check raised, this is a tough table). Turn 9h. Check check. River is Js. I have missed everything. Opponent bets 4K and I fold. I'm glad I have seen the all flop for free.

Level 4 - 100/200, 25 ante - 211150 chips
140 player left, 14K average stack.
I am moved to a new table, with Alan Cuningham and Kathy Liebert.
EP raised to 600, I smooth call with AJo. Flop comes 755. Opponent bets 700. I smooth call, planning to take the pot on the turn. Turn is 4. Opponent checks, I bet 1700 and he folds.
I then lose some chips with a bad river call against an opponent who slowplayed a monster.
Kathy Liebert raises to 600 in EP. 2 callers. I call on the cut off with KTo, button folds (this was the key event) and BB calls. We are 5 on the flop: J64 rainbow. It's checked to me, I bet 2000 and they all fold.
Jonhatan Little takes the place of Alan Cuningham who busted JJ vs KK all in preflop.

Level 5 - 200/400, 25 ante - 21675 chips
117 players lef, 17K average stack.
I'm feeling good about the tournament. I'm in the average and I know everything is still possible. I just need a nice rush of cards and I can secure myself to the last 3 tables.
But then, disaster came. I got the aces.
MP raises to 1200. It's folded to me on the BB. I see AA. I think to smooth call, but opponent has 10K so it's not time for tricky play. I want to commit him. I raise to 2500. He insta goes all in! This is perfect! I beat him to the pot and he shows... Q8s. I have a bad feeling... I see two clubs on the flop, and a third on the turn seals the deal. My aces have been cracked. Strangely enough, I don't get mad or on tilt. I guess I'm too tired for all these emotional rollercoasters.
I'm down to 10K chips. But I will not go down easily! I know everything is still possible. But it will be difficult.
The Q8 guy raises EP to 1350. I call on the button with KQ. Flop comes JJJ. Opponent bets 3500 and I fold (he shows AK; KQ is really a bad hand).
I raise with 77 and take the blinds.

Level 6 - 300/600, 25 ante - 9200 chips
88 players left, 22K average stack.
I steal with KQo, and with 58o.
I win a pot AQ vs QT against a very short stack, and I'm up to 13200 chips.
I try to survive, but it's action table so opportunity to steal are very few.

Level 7 - 400/800, 75 ante - 13150 chips
69 players left, 28K average stck.
The Q8 guy raises to 2100 in EP. It's folded to me on the BB. I see KK. Same scenario! I raise to 7000 and this time he folds.
I steal with A8 in LP.
And then, I make a very donk play.
Short stack (9K) raises OTB to 1800. SB folds. I call with 8Ts (I want to see the flop, I can't really fold, and if I raise he will certainly call me). Flop is K95. I bet 2500. By doing that I want to represent a real value bet, and incude a fold (I think this looks scarier thant an all in). He calls, and he has 5K left. Turn is A. I go all in and he calls with 98. I'm down to 7150 chips.
Being myself a short stack, it was really lame to try to outplay some guy. I should have folded on the BB and wait for an opportunity to double). Now I'm really completely desperate and I have to make a move extremely soon.
I go all in UTG with A9s and they all fold.
Two rounds of blinds pass, and I couldn't do anything (really really card dead).
It's folded to me in LP, I see 97o. It's the best hand I have seen since A9 and also the first time I'm in LP without any raise in front of me. I go all in with 6K. Also, I prefer to make my move with cards which will probaly live. Jonathan Little calls with AJo and no miracle for me, I'm out.

I'm out in 46th position.

It's not a so bad result, I managed to survive quite a long time with my short stack. For me the key is patience and survival. Anything can happend: a good rush of cards and from desperate you can come back in business! That's why I tried to nurse my short stack as long as possible, and wait for the right opportunity. It didn't come, and I didn't get lucky on my first and only all in (and called) of the tournament.

This means I can go deep in a tournament without getting good card (my lucky straight with 23 being nullified by my bad beat AA). Of course, you need to get lucky at a time and double two times in a row to have a playable stack, but there is definitely +EV in being very cautious and patient vs shoving ATC as soon as you are less than 10 BB.

Today (Sunday) I plan not to play poker. I need a break. Next tournament: Monday with $1500 at the Bellagio.

Winning the $1080 NLHE at The Bellagio

After my bad play in the Venitian, I registered for the nightly $1000+80 NLHE at the Bellagio. 116 players in total finally registered and there was therefore a nice $116,000 pool with top 9 being paid.

I am in a good state of mind, but I'm a little bit afraid to be very tired if I go deep, as I'm in total jetlag (it's like starting a big tournament at 5AM after a full active day and no sleep).

I plan to play solid ABC poker, and to be patient.

Starting stack is 5000 chips, 40 min levels. I didn't see any known face in the tournament.

Level 1 - 25/50 - 5000 chips

There are 3 limpers and I'm on the button with Q9o. I want to limp (good position and pot odds) but I raise by mistake to 125 (100 and 25 chips are very similar). Every one call, including blinds. Flop comes Jc9dKc. Early position player bets 200, there is another caller (a lady with lot of jewelry). I call with my pair and my straight draw (big pot odds). SB calls too. Turn comes Qh. I have now two pairs but I lose to any T. It's checked to me, and I make a probe size bet of 350. Only the lady calls. River is miracle Qc. The lady bets 500. I raise to 1500, hoping that she made her flush, and she finally calls. When she sees my cards she goes in rage "how could you call on the flop with nothing?!" and she mucks what I believe is KT. I got a lucky river, but she played too much passively and allowed me to get there. So it's a nice start!

Level 2 - 50/100 - 7125 chips

One limper, I raise to 400 with AA. Limper calls. Flop comes J66. Opponent bets 700. I put him on either a pocket pair, either QJ/KJ. I smooth call. Turn is 7. He checks, I bet 1000 and he folds 44.

I lose around 2500 chips with a bad river bluff when my opponent makes a good call with second pair (I had AJ and tried to represent AK on the K river but he didn't buy it).

Level 3 - 100/200 - 4500 chips

MP raises to 650. I call OTB with 66. Flop comes 255, a good flop for me. Opponent bets 1200, I go all in and he folds 44 (the same guy than previously). I guess I got lucky on this move, he could also have had a bigger pocket pair than mine (and I wasn't sure of anything when I moved all in).

One limper, I call OTB with 56s, blinds check. Flop comes 347 rainbow. I flop the nuts! BB bets 300. Limper calls. I want also the SB in the pot so I smooth call, but SB folds. Turn is J. BB checks, limper bets 1000. I smooth call, BB folds. River is A. Limper bets 2000. I go all in for 2000 more and he calls with 33. He had bottom set, I had the straight, all the money had to goto the river! I got lucky the board didn't pair, otherwise I guess I would have been left with few chips.

Level 4 - 100/200, 25 ante - 13025 chips

I'm card dead for all the level and I play only the following hand at the end of the level.

I raise with A9 in MP to 700, I get 2 callers (I wanted to steal, using my tight image). Flop 335. It's checked to me, I cbet 1100 and they all fold.

Level 5 - 200/400, 25 ante - 12500 chips

I raise in EP to 1300 with AA but they all fold. Snif!

UTG raises to 1050, I call OTB with 33. Flop comes 489 rainbow. UTG bets 1200. I put him on a cbet with high cards, I go all in and he insta folds.

Level 6 - 300/600, 50 ante - 14000 chips

55 players left, 11000 average stack.

I steal UTG with KJo, using my image.

I do the same again two times in a row (QJ and AJ).

Table is quite passive, but I still pick up my spots, I don't want to take any stupid risk.

2 limpers, I have A3 on my SB and I complete. Flop comes A24 rainbow. I check (preparing a check raise) but they all check. Turn is T. I bet 2000, one caller. River is another A. I check, opponent bets 2000. I raise to 4000 and he folds.

Button raises to 2500, SB calls, I call from BB with AJs. Flop A89 rainbow. It's checked to button who bets 4000. I raise to 11000 ands he folds.

Level 7 - 400/800, 75 ante - 33000 chips

36 players left, 16000 average stack.

I'm moved to a new table and during all level I'll be very active, raising a lot of hands. Not any interesting hand, all play is preflop or on the flop.

Level 8 - 600/1200, 100 ante - 34700 chips

26 players left, 22000 average stack.

I raise in LP to 3500 with K9o. BB calls. Flop is 965. BB checks, I bet 7K and he folds.

It's around 1AM and I start to be very, very tired. I almost feel that I'm going to fall on the table. I feel quite bad, and I think I really want to go to sleep, the hell with the tournament. So in a way, I become a little bit kamikaze and I don't care at all about anything.

MP raises to 3500, I see 77 and I go all in. Opponent calls with AT (he has 14K total) and he wins the race.

The same happens a few hand later, but this time I win 66 vs AK (he had 17K stack).

I'm now the maniac, saying "all in" every other hands.

Level 8 - 800/1600, 200 ante - 39000 chips

17 players, 35000 average stack.

I still feel awful, but we are getting close to the final table... So I try to put myself back in the tournament, it would be awful to bust with a stupid move now. I'm in the middle of the pack, and I have my chances to sneak in the money.

I raise in EP to 5500 with AKo, I get one caller in position. Flop is K22. I check. Opponent bets 10000. I raise all in and he folds AQ (I thought he had a pocker pair, hence the all in).

I raise in LP to 5500 with A6. BB calls and I take the pot with a cbet on a T95 flop.

I raise in LP with AQ and take the blinds.

Level 9 - 1000/2000, 300 ante - 54700 chips

13 players left, 44000 average stack.

Battle of the blinds: SB raises to 6000, I call in my BB with A4. Flop comes 962. SB bets 8000, I call. River is J. Check check. River is A. He checks, I check too not seeing any value. I win to 95.

2 limpers, I check my K8 BB. Flop comes 489 and we all check. Turn 3. SB bets 5000 and I call. River T. Check check and I win against 3x.

Final table! We are 10 handed and on the money bubble.

I have around 70K and we are still in the same level.

UTG raises to 7K, I reraise to 22K with 77 and he folds (weak player, I knew he wanted badly to be in the money so I could take advantage of the bubble).

LP raises to 13K. I go all in from BB with A3 and he folds.

Level 10 - 1500/3000, 500 ante - 81000 chips

10 players left, 58000 average stack.

It's now 3AM, but I feel a little bit better. The adrenaline is pumping back, I now have a shot for a decent payday.

I lose some chips when I reraised when I try to steal.

Chip leader (250K) raises to 9000 UTG. I'm on the button with AQs. I decide to smooth call (if I raise, he could put me all in and I would have to fold). Flop comes Q62. He checks, I bet 20000, and he goes all in! I can beat only a bluff, but I still call, I can't really fold in this spot (I'm commited anyway). He shows... A7! What a gift!!! The guys went mad: "how could you not reraise me with AQ?!". He couldn't put me on this hand... But I can't understand why he raised me with trash when I was commited.

So I double, and I'm not feeling very confident and this final table. I'm not tired anymore.

Bubble bursts, and another player busts.

Level 11 - 2000/4000, 500 ante - 137000 chips.

8 players left, 72000 average stack.

UTG raised to 9000. I smooth call with 77. Flop comes K79. UTG checks, I bet 10K and he mucks.

I make a few moves and win some chips.

Level 12 - 3000/6000, 1000 ante - 200000 chips

5 players left, 116000 average stack.

SB raises to 16K. I call from BB with 88. Flop JJ6, he checks, I bet 30K and he folds.

I lose a 21K race K9 vs TT.

I bust a player 88 vs QJ.

I bust another player AJ vs KQ.

I'm up to 400K and we are now heads up. Opponent has 200K.

The battle will last 20 minutes, I played a very solid game and I grind his chips little by little.

The final hand: he limps, I check my BB with J8o. Flop comes 67J. I bet he reraises go all in he calls. He has 89 for a draw, but my hand holds and I win the tournament!

1st place $41,680. I give $1680 in tips to the dealers.

The nice trophy, with the prize paid in chips :)

I went to bed tired, but very happy!

$5000 NLHE at The Venitian

Today was the $5000 no-limit hold'em event of the Vegas Open at The Venitian (National Poker League). I bought the ticket early, and when I went to play at 1PM I was quite upset to discover that only 24 players registered for the event!

There was still some good names: Chris Ferguson, Jerry Yang, Max Pescatori, Hoyt Corkins and other big pros.

60 minutes levels, 10000 chips, first level 25/50.

We started the play 6 handed, and only after one level we were 8 handed (because of late registration).

When 6 handed, I played quite aggressively but had to fold some hands when reraised big time, so I was around 6500 chips for level 2 (I folded AJ on A378 after a big reraise, guy had 77).

Second level (8 handed) was much tighter and I played only two hands:

• UTG raised to 300, I smooth call with 44 OTB. Flop comes 9c9d6h. UTG bets 400. I put him on high cards, so I raise to 1200. He goes in the tank and finally calls. I'm now afraid of 88 77 or 55 (I think high pair or A9 would reraise). Turn is 5h. He checks. I check too to keep the pot small. River is 7h. He checks. I check too, no value bet possible here. I win against AQ.
• I raise in MP with JJ to 325. CO calls, as well as BB. Flop comes T67 rainbow. BB checks. I bet 800 and I'm left with 5000. CO folds and BB raises to 2400. I don't believe him and go all in. He calls with T6 and his hands holds. I'm out.

I'm not sure my last all in was a total mistake, but it's true that with such a dry flop there weren't many draws out there. I could have also easily folded (to smooth call woud have been awful).

Anyway, I wasn't in super mood and pissed about the small field. Only top 3 were paid so it was a very tough tournament to get anything. I'm not sure I'll play in the 15K$ event at the Venitian! I'll make sure there are at least 200 participants before signing in.

In a few hours there is the $1000 night tournament at the Bellagio, so I may try my luck there.