Monday, February 13, 2012

Try to be positive, even when you lose


Above: The Harrah's Casino Tunica was the venue for a WSOP Circuit Event that concluded today.

Here's a quote from Lauren Alaina: "I didn't lose, I got second place. There are a million people who would love to be in my position."

Yes, I came in second in the WSOP Circuit Event No. 12 that concluded today. Usually, I'd feel a big fat let-down, but, honestly, I never had a realistic chance to win. I chipped up nicely early, but never a huge stack.

When we got to the final table, two big stacks got into a bidding war and were all in. One turned over K-K and the other A-A, just as anybody who was watching would have predicted. The turn was a king, and this guy now had a humongeous stack. He took out another big stack when the other went all in with 4-4(!) and he called with A-K. At one point, we were seven-handed and he had more chips than the rest of the table combined.

I played cautiously when big stack was in the pot. There was no pushing him around, so I tried to get my chips elsewhere. With four left, he eliminated a guy who flopped top pair. Big stack was on a diamond flush draw that got there. Then the other big stack went all in with A-10 and was called with 3 4. Sure enough he rivered a straight and we were heads up. Big stack was fearless.

At this point he had 2.1 million in chips, I had 380K, ouch. I went all in on the first hand and he folded. I went all in again on the second with J 9. He called with J K, about the worst hand I could run into. I whiffed and it was over in two hands.

That sounds like I went crazy, but if I double up to around 800K, then double up a second time, I'm the chip leader! There's no point trying to play regular poker -- his chip lead is too great. Better to get lucky one or two hands in a row, then revert to a regular game.

“Second place is not a defeat. It is a stimulation to get better. It makes you even more determined.” -- Carlos Lopes

Thanks to everybody who left supportive comments. It meant a lot.


Above is the shot clock when the event concluded. Click to enlarge.

21 comments:

  1. I was wondering last evening how you did. Congratulations.

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  2. Couldn't agree with the gist of your post more. We can even expand on 1-2. The Nov-9 certainly feel like winners. Frankly "I play to win." is most often used as a cop-out.

    Having to play a defensive final table is no fun though. But, we play stacks as well as cards. You did good! Any delusional who thinks they can do better must be from the east coast. ;)

    I agree with Pat -- nice cash! And I believe that 5-figures puts you ahead of you-know-who in the Hendon Mob's DB.

    So close to a ring though... Damn, damn, damn!

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  3. Blah Second Loser. :). Impressive for you anyways. XD. I think your old ass was just too tired to continue at the end... cmon, you coulda picked a better spot than J9 right? Anyways, honestly, awesome job getting that far, very impressive.

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  4. Great job on the cash.
    Sure, it's not a win but it's still a big score and well played.

    From the sounds of it the winner Had his run of cards at the final table and there is no stopping a poker player with luck on his side.

    Very awesome bro!

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  5. Way to go Mojo! You're on a killer streak lately...keep it up!!

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  6. Good for you! And a high five from Ocala!

    Interesting photo; unlike most casinos I've seen.

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  7. AWESOME buddy! Go buy yourself (and your wife) something nice! Congratulations!

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  8. Woo hoo! You go, Mojo! Awesome finish congrats!!

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  9. Nice, nice, nice!

    The final few hours had to be very exciting for you.

    Congratulations on a great tourney : )

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  10. DUDE! I know I am late to the party on this one, but congratulations! A win for one of us is a win for all! Great job!

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