Day 2 - All Good Things...

After 14 hours of grueling No Limit Texas Hold 'Em, I'm officially out of the WSOP. I folded my first 5 hands of the day - cards like KQ and K3 suited - and found myself moving up the payout chart, as people were dropping like flies. It was then I decided to make a real attempt to build up my chips and take a shot at a final table appearance. I mean, really, these opportunities don't come around every day. Maybe I coulda just mucked hand after hand to squeak into a slightly higher payout (something I seriously considered), but I guess that's just not how we play. Stewman was right when he said "You just gotta play your game."

First, I got the miracle I desperately needed. The guy to my right - a 21-year-old online pro from Australia - put his micro-stack all-in under the gun, and I looked down at A7 of hearts. I pushed all-in immediately. Luckily, everyone else folded around, and I had the kid's A6 dominated. I paired my 7 on the turn and he was history. Because of the blinds and antes already in the pot, I more than doubled up my stack. This was just what I needed to start my big run. Of course, sometimes things don't work out that way.

On the very next hand I called a minimum raise in the big blind with A4 of diamonds, happy to see a cheap flop. The flop came 8-2-2 with two diamonds and I pushed all-in again, this time on a flush draw semibluff (sorry for the poker geek babble). Unfortunately, the raiser had trips, with a King and a 2! The turn and river failed to deliver my flush diamond, and I was out in 215th place.

It was a great way to bust out, with guns blazin'. I'm glad I talked to the Stewdog beforehand. I definitely woulda felt like a tool if I didn't take a shot at the big score.

As for cards, I think I'm gonna take a short break. If I see another poker chip soon, I just might puke. As for the WSOP, we'll be back, and we're bringing you with us next time.