my first wpt final table
I was obviously very pumped up for my first WPT Final Table. When I heard Linda Johnson say that this LA Poker Classic was the largest WPT field ever, I got even more excited. I would have preferred any other seat to the one I drew (immediately to J.C. Tran’s right) but after a day filled with make-up, interviews, and 200 phone calls from well-wishers, I couldn’t wait to sit down and play some cards. After a few sound checks, the cards took to the air.
Blinds 30k/60k with a 10k ante:
Jacob makes it $160k in the high jack (one spot off the cutoff). I called on the button with the 8, 6 hearts. Flop came 7, 4, 2 with one heart. He bet $180k and I called. I felt that if a heart came or my gutshot came, I might be able to stack him. I was also hoping for a free card on the river. Also, if I hit an 8 or a 6 it might be the best hand. Turn in a J of clubs. Check check. The river was a 3. He bets $400k and I just fold.
After an early position limp and a small blind limp, I checked my K, 2 of spades. The flop came J, J, 3 with two spades. I bet $120k after the small blind checked and both people folded.
Blinds 50k/100k with a 10k ante:
I folded every hand in this level. Brutal.
Blinds 80k/160k with a 15k ante:
I raise under the gun with KK to $350k. Chao Jeng called in the big blind. I expected a stop and go here. When he checked the 7, 4, 3 board I was afraid he’d actually hit it, but I went all-in for a pot sized bet and he folded quickly. I have no idea what he had.
Blinds 120k/240k with a 30k ante:
I shove under the gun with AA. No callers…devastating.
The very next hand, Eric limps into the pot and I check my K, 3 big blind. Flop came Q, 3, 3. Check check. Turn is a 10, bringing two spades on board. I bet $300k, trying to induce a bluff, however he just calls. The river is a jack of spades with looks pretty ugly for my hand. I check and he reluctantly checks his J, 10.
The next hand, it folds to me in the small blind. I make it $600k more with 9, 9 and J.C. folds.
Eric limps in first position. I check my big blind of Q, 8. I was planning on shoving any two decent cards or just a goddawful hand, but I actually got a hand where I didn’t mind seeing a flop. The flop came A, K, 2, with two diamonds. I was pretty sure he didn’t hit it but I just check folded here.
First position (J.C.) makes it $600k. At this point I’d been folding every hand so when I saw an A, I went with it. I went all in with A, 7 in the big blind for $1.7 Mil. He called quickly, but at that point in the tournament, no one’s folding a pair. He was getting better than 2:1 on his money so he basically had to call. He showed 3, 3 and nothing dramatic…he flopped a boat and by the river, I was drawing dead.
On the plus side, I’m holding $455,600 dollars in my hand right now. New shoes for Kwickfish.
paul wasicka’s blog
Saturday, March 3, 2007
