The Free Roll

I actually think the qualifying semi-final for the Free Roll was more fun than playing in the final.  My favorite hand was when I got all "married" to my aces and called down a bluff all the way to the river on a board of 10-9-3-9-3.  Eeeek!  So many things to beat me & I would have had less than 400 chips left very early in the tournament if I was wrong.  I just felt my opponent was trying too hard.

The worst hand in the qualifier was when I raised with K-K and Dave ("Butter") went all-in.  He'd shown pocket aces at least twice before that after going all-in so I was a tad nervous.  I had to call him though.  I was happy for about 5 seconds when he tabled J-J.  He caught a jack on the river and took half my chips.  However, I was able to take those measly chips & outlast everybody I needed to. 

I got very luck going all in with Q-J hearts and Rafa called me with K-Q offsuit.  I hit 2 pair on the flop and he did not improve and that crippled him.  I put him out a couple of hands later and Dave & Jeff & I were the last 3 standing.  :)

The final was basically just filled with tension for me during the last 30 minutes because I was terribly short stacked & trying to act like I didn't care if there was a chop or not.  I was very happy to get $400 out of the whole thing & it was a fun experience overall.  It was interesting to see the "cream" rise to the top as it were - most of the finalists were regular tournament players.

I hope they do more of this sort of thing.  Roland said they were so we shall see!