Writing Because It's Been Awhile

I have been quite lax in blogging lately, but such is life. I was thinking about getting knocked out of the tournament for the seats to first annual Washington Gold tournament on the west side.

In the qualifying tournament I ended up making the final 10 so that I could move on to the final qualifier the next day. Barely. I was very short stacked, hadn't been feeling well at all for over a week (was just finally getting over the flu) and there were still 12 players left. I knew I had to do something quickly because I would be in the big blind in about 4 hands and I just wanted to go home to take a nap. However, I had to fold my hand pre-flop as it was something totally disgusting like Q2 or whatever and wasn't even paying attention when 2 people got knocked out simultaneously on the other table and I was a finalist! I only had 12,000 chips. The final tournament would start with blinds of 500-1,000. At least the nap was in order.

I almost just gave up and slept in because I really wanted to get over the flu bug, but I forced myself to get up and go to the final even though I did not stand a chance. Yeah, yeah, I know - a chip and a chair. Give me a break.

On the very first hand Amanda (under the gun) raised to 4,000. I looked down to see pocket 8s. Why me? If I re-raise, I need to raise at least 3 times what she raised or all my chips. She was under the gun and must have a really good hand. What to do. This might be the only pocket pair I ever see and I am short-stacked. I push all-in. Everyone else folds. Amanda turns over AQ diamonds. At least I am ahead. The flop is K-9-3 with 2 diamonds. Now Amanda is the favorite with her outs of any A, any Q or any diamond. Help! The turn and river are blanks and I survive!! Happy girl! (Side note - Amanda is really annoyed by all this and plays fairly badly thereafter and is out before the first break.)

I was very happy to have doubled up and I played fairly well from then on out, making it through the break and everything. By the time we got down to 11 players, however, I really hadn't had many hands and my chips were basically slipping away. With blinds at 3,000-6,000 I only had 37,000 remaining or just over 6 times the big blind. Not good.

A lady raised (under the gun again) to 10,000. Everyone folded to me on the button. I had pocket 9s. What the hell. This was it. I went all-in and she called immediately. Not good. She turns over AK spades and again it is a race. No spades on the flop. Nothing on the turn. Ace on the river. CRAP!!!!!!

I do not really know why, but I was just heartsick. I calmly said, "nice hand" and quietly walked away. Should I have just called and then shoved when the board flopped? I think she would have called me anyway. But I was just so bummed. There was about 80,000 in the pot. I still wouldn't have had a ton of chips, but I just know I would have made top 5 and been able to go to Renton. PHOOEY!!!!!

I am done venting now. But it took me a long time to write about this and I haven't really played much since. I am busy moving and working on a new budget, so might not play much for awhile, but will try. Hope all my millions of fans (ha ha) don't miss me too much. See you soon!!