News / Imper1um / 01 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Day 1 was uninteresting in the early levels. I played a solid game in the beginning and got up to 40,000 within the first hour by playing very standard. However, during the later levels of Day 1, there were some serious chip movements.

This is one of the hands that I made a fundamental mistake. At 100/200, 'TheNorfman' raised on the cut-off to 600, I called from the button with 8c9c and so did some old guy from the big blind. Dan "Kingdan" Smith, who I had played recently in a 25,000 FPP satellite for a winner takes all seat to the High Rollers event in London, reraised to 3,300.

As soon as the older guy called from the small blind, I was sure that Dan was likely going to make a move from the BB with several different holdings. When I played with him in that satellite, he was the only player I have played in a long time where I really had to slow down three handed and heads up. After Dan reraised to 3,300 with about 33,000 behind, I elected to call in position with my 45,000 stack and the guy in the SB decided to call as well.

The flop came down Ad7d6x and Dan fired out 5,500. At this point, I should have shoved all in and it is not even close. I put Dan on air preflop, there is already about 14,000 in the pot, the SB should not be a threat unless he woke up with a set (unlikely). I was not really thinking, and instead of shoving I just called which is absolutely horrid and I am still disgusted with myself to this day.

The small blind folded and we saw an off suit 8 on the turn, Dan checked. Now I had middle pair and a straight draw, a hand with great showdown value versus his range. I decided to check behind which is fine after making the terrible check on the flop. The turn came 9d, a terrible card for me. Not only did it complete the four-card straight but it also put a flush on the board. Dan fired 8k, and immediately I felt sick to my stomach and said, "I know you have something stupid like QT."

I convince myself to call, which I do not think is that bad considering I know this player is capable of making a bet that looks like a value bet on the river with air, and he flips over QT for the ten-high straight. So disgusting! I wish you could see the pot size in the middle of the table as you can in online poker! I would have insta-shoved that flop. Oh well! After this hand I am back down to 30k.

I maintain my stake until the blinds were 300/600, raise AT in middle position to 1,600, get called by three players. The flop comes down AQ2. BB checks to me I fire 4,200. The two late position players fold and the BB thinks for a very long time and shoves 12,000 total. I call and he has A6 and we manage to chop. Ironically, the same guy ends up winning a big flip against me after that hand my JJ vs his AQ and ends up crippling me to 9,100.

I end the day with a stack of 9,100 chips and have a lot of work to do on Day 2.

Niagara Intro - Cutting down on mistakes
Day 2 Niagara - Short-stack to top ten stack
Day 3 Niagara - Ups and downs and pleased with a cash.