LAS VEGAS–A few people have asked how my own poker is going here at the WSOP. All I can say with certainty is that I\’ve misplayed a lot of hands. Having been here less than a week, I\’ve played eight sessions:
Red Rock – 1/2 NL
Buy-in(s): $420 (3)
Cash out: $421
Synopsis: When down all night, you rock if you can get away anywhere near even.
Rio – second chance tourney (reg. req.)
B: $225
C: $0
S: Bad chip selection proves costly. Out in level 3.
Rio – single-table satellite
B: $125
C: $0
S: 5th place. Shaking off the rust.
Rio – 2/5 NL
B: $600 (2)
C: $1,473
S: I am smart. S-M-R-T.
Rio – single-table satellite
B: $125
C: $0
S: 3rd place. Old Texas cowboy threatens to beat the crap out of hyper-talky obnoxious guy with his cane. One bad call in the end, but I think I\’m getting the hang of it.
Rio – single-table satellite
B: $175
C: $500
S: 2nd place chop. I become dominant chip leader by flopping quads early and playing the 27o with power late. \”That\’s how you play the hammer!\” I shout. But then I get totally outplayed heads-up, and bust out re-raising all-in with the hammer vs. pocket 3s. Oops. (Cursing of all bloggers ensues.)
Rio – single-table satellite
B: $175
C: $0
S: One very bad play early — trying to get clever with 7-8o — leaves me unable to recuperate.
Rio – 2/5 NL
B: $600 (2)
C: $968
S: Very roller-coastery. Get below average cards and play them slightly below average (failing to capitalize on two monsters).
Dan\’s WSOP Net: +$917
There was one hand tonight that I\’m not sure about … Straddle for 10, limp, limp … I limp, too, with JJ (waiting for strong, macho, tilty-aggressive bull rider from Beaumont, Tex., to raise his straddle. But before that can happen, short stack to my left goes all-in for $100+change. Next short stack goes all-in for $100+bigger change. Straddler Cowboy goes all-in for $210 — I\’m convinced the best he\’s got is Ace-rag, or maybe Ace-rag-suited, and presumably one or two of the other aces are gone … so I\’m ready to call.
But before I can do that, solid player to my right — with like $1,400 in front of him — thinks out loud. Short stacks have already showed each other their cards, obvious that they each have an ace with a decent kicker. Big stack reluctantly calls, and thus, with about $500 in front of me and figuring a call here means all-in on the flop … I fold.
Right move? JJ woulda held up against AQ, AJ, KQ, and unknown, shipping me close to $900 more.