Know when to hold 'em: The World Series of Poker dynasty

[Honolulu Blue]

BACKSTORY: Hi, I'm back with another dynasty. This one was inspired a couple of weeks ago when, late at night (or early in the morning - whichever) I was flipping through the channels when I came across a highlight show from last year's World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. I was fascinated by it, and remembered the good times I had with a little DOS game of the same title. I scrounged around the house looking for my copy of that game but I couldn't find it. So I looked up Masque Software (http://www.masque.com) and ordered World Series of Poker Deluxe, a slightly more modern game (it's from 1996 and was designed for Windows 3.1). I hope to bring to you some of the excitement of playing poker for the very highest stakes.

NUTS & BOLTS/HOUSE RULES: The game gives me a stash of $5,000 to start, while it takes $10,000 to make it to the World Series. This presents a problem in that I need more money to participate. Ordinarily I'd just put the five grand on one of the even money bets in roulette and restart until I make it.

Not this time. In order to make things more difficult for me, I will be going through a satellite tournament. The entry fee for that is $1,125 and the winner gets and entry into the World Series.

Oh, I suppose I should explain a little about the World Series of Poker. The game is no-limit Texas Hold 'em. In 100 words or less, it works like this - each player is dealt 2 cards face down, bet, three common cards are turned up, another bet, another common card is turned up, third bet, the last common card is turned up, final bet. Each player makes the best hand of the two he holds and the five that are turned up. Best hand wins.

I'll assume those of you who have gotten this far know basic stuff about poker, like what hand beats what others.

With my bankroll I will get four shots at winning the satellite. If I lose, then this dynasty ends and you can read all about my humiliation until The Big One destroys us all.

I actually won the World Series - twice - in the DOS version. I'm hoping for the same luck here.

P.S. Standard CYA disclaimer: The game makes playing high stakes poker easier than it is in real life. So no matter how well I do, don't go running to Vegas unless you're really, really good. Oh, and playing poker for money is illegal in most places in most states.

NEXT: Can my poker playing skills take me to the top?

[Honolulu Blue]

I hand over my $1,125 and am given $2,000 in chips. I'm at a U-shaped table, with me at the base of the U. Four players are on each side of me. The dealer button is given to the player at my far right (he doesn't actually deal, of course; the casino dealer does). The person to his left is the "small blind", meaning he has to bet $25 without seeing his cards. The person to the small blind's left is known as the "big blind", and he has to bet $50.

On the first hand I have K-3 of mixed suits, which isn't much in this game, so I fold quickly. The winner was the one farthest from the dealer, who had a pair of kings in the hole and won an $1,000+ pot. Not bad.

From here on out I won't describe every hand, just when (1) the blinds are raised, (2) I win a big hand, and/or (3) when someone is eliminated.

Hand 5 - Had K-J unsuited, not a bad hand. There was one raise of $100, which I called. The flop was favorable, with a K. Player #3 bet $175, and I again called. The next card was a 6 - I now had kings over 6s. The other guy bet $350 and I called. The final card was useless and he checked. I shoved out $600. He caved like a house of cards in a tornado. The pot is mine! I now have $2,675, second on the board. Player #9 has $2,950. Two players have around $1,000, and the rest have about what they started with.

Hand 9 - Started with Q-J unsuited. The betting comes to me and I raise $100. Everyone folds but player #2, who calls. The flop yields a queen. He bets $150, and I raise the same. He calls. No help on the fourth card and he checks. I bet $300. He calls. Nothing on the fifth card and he checks. My pair of queens with J kicker looks pretty good. I bet $600. He calls. Sure enough, Q-Q-J beats his Q-Q-9. That's a $2,000+ pot, and leaves me with $3,800 and the new table lead. Player #9 is at $3,200 for second. Two players have under $1,000 and are in danger of being eliminated.

Hand 11 - The blinds go up to $50 and $100.

Hand 12 - Big pot won by player #8 as he goes all in. He's now at $1,750 and in much less danger. Three players are now around $1,000. No changes in the top two.

Hand 16 - Player #8 does it again - he called on 2-4 suited and went all in when both showed up on the flop. The pot was $4,100 and he is our new leader. I have $3,700 and player #9 has $3,350. Player #1 is in trouble with only $675, while player #7 is in deep trouble with $375.

Hand 20 - Was dealt A-J unsuited. I raised the blinds $200 and player #9 came back with another $600. Everyone went out but I called. The flop had a pair of 2s. He bet $975. I took a chance and called. Fourth card was not helpful. Surprisingly, we both checked. On the last card I got my jack. Good enough for the win, assuming he didn't have a 2 or pair down. I shoved all my chips in. He folded. I'm up to $5,225 and leading the table. Player #8 is now in second with $4,100. Player #9 still has $2,200, which is good enough for third. Players 1 and 7 each have $375 and they need to make it up quickly or face elimination.

Hand 21 - The blinds go up to $100 and $200. And me on the big blind. What luck.

Hand 23 - Player #1 saves himself by shoving all $375 in. I had A-K, so I called. We were the only ones in the pot, so our hole cards are flipped over for all to see. He has a pair of deuces. No kings show up, but three 3s do, giving him a full house. Too bad he couldn't have won more with them.

Hand 26 - Player #2 goes all in and wins. Player #1 goes all in and loses. He's our first casualty. Been nice knowing you.

NEXT: One down, eight to go. Who will make it through?

[robbgmaier]

I'm a gambling addict in waiting, so let me say I hate you, and good luck :)

[Marmel]

I have this game and played it quite a bit for a while. I ended up winning it a few times. It is pretty fun for an older game.

[QuikSand]

Nice dynasty idea... I'll be reading.

[Honolulu Blue]

Originally posted by robbgmaier
I'm a gambling addict in waiting, so let me say I hate you, and good luck :)

Thanks. I love you too.

And thank you everyone for the kind words. I'll try to keep it interesting.

Hand 27 - Player #3 goes all in and wins with a pair of kings. The pot was over $3,000 so that certainly puts him back in contention. My $4,050 still puts me in the lead.

Hand 29 - Player #2 bets it all and wins a $3,150 pot. That puts him in second now. The once formidable player #9 is down to his last $500.

Hand 30 - Player #3 rakes in a large pot and takes the chip lead with $4,775. I'm still second with $3,650. Players 7 ($675) and 9 ($500) are in serious trouble. Especially since...

Hand 31 - We now have $200 and $400 blinds. This will separate the guys with big bankrolls from the rest.

Hand 34 - Got A-J suited and was able to get a $3,000 pot out of it without much action. That puts me in the drivers' seat with $5,250. Player #3 still has $4,375. Players 6 ($875) and 7 ($75) are in the hole and need deep burrowing equipment to find their ways out.

Hand 37 - Had Q-J suited and called a $400 raise from player #3. The flop was bad - no diamonds, no queens, and no jacks - and we both checked through the final card. He had an ace, so he won with aces up. That puts him in the lead with $5,575. Don't count me out just yet because I have $4,050.

Hand 38 - Player #4 went all in and took a $3,800 pot. That puts him in third, just behind me.

Hand 41 - $300 and $600 blinds. Player #9 goes all in and grabs $2,400. That puts him back in the game. Player #3 still leads with $5,575. Player #4 is in second with $3,800, and I'm not doing too shabbily with my $3,200. Players 6 ($400) and 7 ($150) are on life support.

Hand 42 - Player #4 rakes in a $6,200 pot, biggest in the game so far. That's his chip total and he's now in first.

Hand 43 - Player #6 was on the big blind and lost, taking all his money. Too bad. That leaves seven of us to battle for a berth.

Hand 44 - Player #7 bet all he had in the big blind and lost to me. Not a big pot ($300), but one less competitor to worry about. Thanks to some blinds I had to pay, I'm now in fourth place with $2,500 and only $100 out of fifth. Player #4 still leads with $5,900.

Hand 47 - Player #9 goes all in and collects $3,900. He's now in second place. My $2,500 keeps me in fourth.

Hand 48 - Stole the blinds, $900 worth. I'm in third now.

Hand 49 - Player #2 takes in $2,800, which is his new chip total.

Hand 51 - $500 and $1,000 blinds. Ouch. I'm in fifth with $2,500. Player #4 still leads with $5,850. Player #8 is wiped out. And now it comes down to the five of us.

Hnad 52 - I call with a pair of 6s and despite a nasty flop (no 6s and three hearts), I go all in to call player #2. He had 10-9 suited, giving him a pair of 10s already. Eventually he got a king high straight and wiped me out. No prizes for fifth place here.

NEXT: Another day, another satellite. Will things be any different?

[Honolulu Blue]

I wake up the next day refreshed and ready to kick butt. My wallet is a little lighter, but I can't do much about that now. Another satellite tournament awaits me, and I can't be late.

Let's meet today's players:

Player #1 - Al
Player #2 - Bubba
Player #3 - Carl
Player #4 - Dizzy
Player #5 - yours truly
Player #6 - F-Face
Player #7 - Goober
Player #8 - Happy
Player #9 - Ian

Hand 6 - Finally won a pot with Q-J suited. Unfortunately I just stole the blinds. I now sit with $1,850, fifth amongst these sharks. Dizzy leads with $2,850.

Hand 9 - Ian wins the biggest pot of the game so far, $2,225. Goober was the main contributor, with some help from yours truly. That gives Ian the chip lead with $3,575.

Hand 10 - Grabbed a nice $1,000 pot with a semi-bluff. The hole cards were fairly good (A-Q), but the four turned up didn't help at all. I now have $2,550 in chips and take over second place for now.

Hand 11 - Blinds go up to $50 and $100.

Hand 13 - A big hand between Bubba and F-Face. Bubba went all in and ended up with a straight. F-Face got a straight flush and wiped him out. Sorry Bubba. F-Face moves into second place behind Ian, $3,275-$3,150. My $2,400 puts me in fourth.

Hand 14 - F-Face's lucky streak continues as he rakes in another big pot. His $4,600 puts him well in the lead.

Hand 15 - Another bluff, another $1,800 pot for me. Actually had good starting cards (A-J suited) but the flop and turn were worthless. I bet anyway. I think I'm beginning to find my touch... anyhow, my $3,600 is an even grand behind leader F-Face.

Hand 20 - Quick status report: F-Face has $4,150 and I'm in second with $3,300. Happy isn't very pleased with his $750, last among the table's survivors.

Hand 21 - Blinds increase to $100 and $200.

Hand 23 - Happy saves himself with queens up and a $2,550 pot. Because of the heavy betting I threw away my A-8 suited early. I would have won the blasted thing had I kept on, but I'm sure I made the long-run best play. But for now I'm fourth in chips with $2,450. F-Face still leads with $4,250.

Hand 27 - Won a monster pot (almost $4,000) with a king high flush. I had the 7 of diamonds with a queen and the flop came out 6-8-9 of diamonds. I liked my chances of getting something good. I went all in. Goober and F-Face did too. Unfortunately, F-Face got some of his money back because I couldn't call all of his bet. But we wave goodbye to Goober. The $4,950 puts me in the catbird's seat for now.

Hand 31 - The blinds go up to $200 and $400. I still lead with $5,175. Ian is second with $3,425. Al and Carl have around $1,000 each and can be considered in some trouble.

Hand 33 - Had A-K, got a K on the flop and grabbed a $2,000 pot without too much effort. I have almost $6,000 in chips and am comfortably ahead.

NEXT: Can I convert my lead into victory?

[MylesKnight]

H-Blue, I've got to hand it to you, you come up with some of the most unique Dynasty Threads..

Tennis Elbow...., WS of Poker...., among others..

Great Stuff!!

By the way, whatever happened to the Great Elbow Dynasty?

[Honolulu Blue]

Originally posted by MylesKnight
H-Blue, I've got to hand it to you, you come up with some of the most unique Dynasty Threads..

Tennis Elbow...., WS of Poker...., among others..

Great Stuff!!

By the way, whatever happened to the Great Elbow Dynasty?

Thanks! I do my best to present dynasties of games that I like and will work for reports like these. As for Tennis Elbow, to make a long story short, the games eventually took too long for the enjoyment that I got out of them.

And now... I continue on with my quest to get into the World Series:

Hand 34 - Was on the big blind with only Happy calling. I had Q-8, certainly good enough to play for free. We checked to the last card. A queen and an 8 were turned up, giving me two pair. I liked my chances, but was wary of getting burned. I bet a grand and Happy called. He had a pair of aces in the hole - not good enough. Happy, Al, and Dizzy are all now under $1,000 and are in danger of being eliminated at any time. Me? I'm stylin' with my $7,575 in chips.

Hand 35 - Dizzy goes all in but saves himself with a king high straight. The $1,000 pot still leaves him in some danger.

Hand 37 - Al goes all in. Unfortunately, he doesn't get the cards he needs and bows out to Ian. Ian is solidly in second with $4,600. I'm still way ahead with $7,375.

Hand 39 - Dizzy bets it all and wins again, this time $2,200. He's off of life support.

Hand 40 - Happy grabs a $2,950 pot and moves away from the brink. Much of the money comes from F-Face, who now is in real trouble with only $850.

Hand 43 - The blinds increase to $300 and $600. Some of the competition is sure to feel the squeeze now. With K-Q suited I was able to steal the blinds. My $7,475 is almost $4,000 ahead of Ian.

Hand 44 - Carl goes all in on a promising hand but loses to Happy's pair of aces. The $4,050 pot is one of the biggest I've seen in this game and it puts him in second place. Now it's down to five players.

Hand 45 - Was on the big blind and everyone folded back to me. The easiest $900 I'll ever make. I now have a game high $7,775 in chips.

Hand 48 - F-Face shoved his few chips into the pot but couldn't come up a winner. So that leaves Happy, Ian, Dizzy and myself.

Hand 53 - The blinds increase for the last time to $500 and $1,000.

Hand 60 - Stole the blinds, but now I'm down to $6,575. Still first, but hardly a commanding lead.

Hand 61 - Ian grabbed the blinds and now has the chip lead, $6,250 to my $5,575.

Hand 63 - After a couple of bold bets, Dizzy now has the most chips at $5,700. Ian and I are close.

Hand 64 - With Q-10 suited I stole the blinds and now I have the chip lead.

Hand 65 - Everyone folded back to me. Shoot, I wanted to make a killing with my pair of 8s. Oh well.

Hand 66 - Grabbed the blinds with a pair of 7s. I now have $8,075 in chips and more than $3,000 over second place.

Hand 68 - Ian went all in and I somewhat unwisely called with A-8. He had A-Q and went on to get three queens to beat my two pair. The $7,050 in the pot hands the lead over to him.

Hand 72 - Stole the blinds but my balance is all the way down to $3,950 and third place. Ian leads with $5,550.

NEXT: Will I end up on top in this back and forth battle?

[Honolulu Blue]

I am into the second hour of my second satellite tournament, the gateway into the World Series of Poker at Binion's in Las Vegas. The blinds are currently at $500 and $1000. I have been at or near the chip lead for most of the game.

Hand 74 - With K-8 suited I called the blind and got two hearts on the flop. Then I bet it all and Ian folded. The pot moves me up to $4,950, first place, but only by $250.

Hand 77 - Grabbed $3,000 with Q-8. Back in first with $5,950.

Hand 78 - I went all in on A-K. Ian called with all he had. He had A-Q. A king was turned up and that was all I needed. A $6,600 pot for me and Ian departs. Now I have $9,500 in chips and can put the squeeze on Happy and Dizzy.

Hand 82 - Won a $3,000 pot with 10-8 and a 10 on the flop. That puts me back up to $9,500. Happy has $4,300 and Dizzy has $4,200.

Hand 86 - Snagged $4,000 wihout very much at all (4 to a straight). Back to $9,500.

Hand 88 - Won the blinds uncontested. My chip total is at an even $10,000.

Hand 91 - Had a pair of 9s but both players folded back to me again as the big blind. Still at $10,000, with Happy and Dizzy both around $4,000.

Hand 93 - Bet with K-Q suited. Happy went all in and I called. He had K-10. The flop didn't help either of us and I won. Happy was not happy. But now it's between me and Dizzy for a spot in the World Series.

Hand 94 - I'm at $13,300 with Dizzy at $4,700. Attrition should get me through, if nothing else. Snagged a few more grand from Dizzy without having very much. He's down to $2,200. The end is near.

Hand 95 - Grabbed another grand. My stack is looking very nice, as are my chances.

Hand 96 - He folded back to me, losing another $500. He must've had nothing. Dizzy is at $700 and is in trouble deep.

Hand 97 - For all the marbles, it's my 10-7 against his K-2. I got my seven and won with that pair. I scratched out a long, hard-fought victory and move on to the World Series.

NEXT: The world famous World Series of Poker. How well can I do against the best in the world?

[Honolulu Blue]

I have to leave town for a few days, but I assure you that I will return to finish off my run in the World Series of Poker when I come back.

Meanwhile, a few details about the WSOP in the game:

* The satellite win actually gave me $10,000 instead of a golden ticket into the tournament. But I'm disciplined enough not to blow it at the craps tables.

* The World Series starts with 216 players at 24 tables. Players (including myself) will be periodically reseated as other players are eliminated.

* The top 36 get prize money, but only the winner gets an engraved bracelet. Will it be me? Stay tuned.

[Airhog]

another great dynasty. I will be watching this one. I really enjoy poker.

[Honolulu Blue]

After a few nights of waiting and light gambling, I finally sign up for the World Series. The fact sheet that is given to me shows the payouts ($1 million for first, all the way down to $8,120 for 36th). Antes and blinds will increase every 30 minutes until they reach their maximum - $3,000 ante with $15,000 and $30,000 blinds; that would be painful. But they don't start out that much. The blinds start out as a relatively sedate $25-$50 with no ante.

I'm seated at table 10, position #5. Player #2 is awarded the dealer button.

Hand 1 - Won a nice $1,650 pot. I started wtih A-8 suited and raised $100. All but the small blind folded. The flop gave me an 8 and two small cards. Player #3 bet $350 and I called. The next card was another small one and he checked back to me. Cool. I bet $600 and he gave up. First hand and I'm in the lead with $10,550. Meaningless at this stage, except for the confidence boost.

Hand 7 - A battle between the first three players for the pot. The flop came out 10-J-9 - straight possiblities? The next card was another 9. Player #3 raised $4,000 and forced player #1 out. Player #2 called. The last card was an ace and there was a couple of raises - nothing like $4,000 though. Let's see 'em. Player #2 was holding K-9, so he had trips 9s with A-K kickers. Player #3 had Q-9 - not good enough. Player #2 rakes in a $14,800 pot and puts him well in front. I'm still second, though my $10,475 looks awfully modest now.

Hand 8 - I decide that A-10 unsuited is good enough for a bet, so I raise $100. Player #7 is a total nutcase and goes all in - more than $10,000!!! Not worth it, of course. That drops me to third.

Hand 10 - Player #1 rakes in $2,400 in chips, dropping me to fourth at this early stage. Player #2 has $17,125 and is still way ahead.

Hand 11 - I rake in a $1,725 pot with mostly my money. I started off with K-J as the big blind and was raised $100 by player #2. Everyone else folded, but I called. A king came on the flop and I bet $400. He called. The next card was not helpful but I bet $600 anyway. He folded. Ah, this game is easy. I now have $10,850 and am clearly in second at the table. The bad news is I'm only 100th overall. 11 players are already gone.

Hand 19 - Player #3 goes all in and saves himself with a flush. The $3,000 pot gets him out of immediate danger, but he's still far behind everyone else at the table.

Hand 21 - Won a small $800 pot with A-10 from the small blind. I now have $10,925, still second at the table but 99th amongst all competitors. 195 players are still active.

Hand 23 - Held a pair of 10s, which I thought was good enough for a raise. I was reraised back by $300. I called that. The flop was not helpful and I checked. Player #6 bet $500 and I threw 'em in.

Hand 26 - Player #8 rakes in a $5,425 pot thanks to some very bold betting. He takes over second place now with $11,825. Player #2 has $15,725 and still ranks first at the table.

Hand 30 - I now have $10,400, third at the table and 103rd overall. 184 players are left. No worries, yet.

Hand 31 - The blinds increase for the first time to $50 and $100. Stole the blinds with Q-J. $150 is better than nothing.

Hand 32 - Player #1 against player #2 for a huge pot. Four clubs showed on the board, so I was looking for that. Player #1 had a club and got the flush. Player #2 didn't... he got a full house instead. Ouch! The $10,500 pot put him even farther into the lead.

Hand 35 - Player #2, that wild man, does it again, this time with trip 10s against two pair. This wipes out player #4 who slinks away from the table without even saying goodbye. #2 rakes in a $21,625 pot and pads his lead some more.

Hand 36 - We add another player in the fourth slot. I'll call him player #14. He only has $1,925, so he should be easy pickings.

Hand 38 - Started with a pair of deuces. Player #7 raised $300 and I called. A two showed on the flop, giving me three of a kind. I bet $600 and he calls. The next card is a seven; combined with the other seven on the board I now have a full house. I bet it all. He, not surprisingly, folded. Not a big win, but I now have $11,575 and in a distant second place at the table.

Hand 50 - I was dealt K-A and called the only raise by player #3. The flop came out Q-J-10. Sweet; I have a straight already. I bet $600 and he called. The next card was useless and I shoved out $1,200. He folded. That gave me a $3,150 pot. I have $12,125, which is still good for second at the table, but only 89th overall. There are still 166 active players at 19 tables.

Hand 53 - Stole the blinds with 10-J suited.

Hand 58 - Had 10-8 suited and faced players #3 and 7 for the pot as we each put $300 into it. The flop gave me both an 8 and a 10. Player #7 bet $325 and player #3 called. I bet $650. They both called. The next card wasn't helpful. Player #7 bet $1000. Player #3 folded. Decision time for me - are my two pair still good enough? I decided they were. I raised $2000. Player #7 folded and the pot was mine. I now have $15,775, second at the table - though well behind player #2's $32,650. I have vaulted into 67th place amongst the 158 players that are left.

A good time for a break, don't you think?

NEXT: The World Series of Poker continues from downtown Las Vegas!

[RPI-Fan]

Great dynasty!

[tucker342]

Awesome, very interesting read!

[JeeberD]

I know very little about poker, but I'm enjoying the thread. Keep it up!!!

[Honolulu Blue]

Thanks for all the kind words. Meanwhile, back in Vegas...

After about an hour of play, I had amassed nearly $16,000 in chips and found myself in the middle of the overall field. Will this be my springboard to glory? Or will I throw away my chips on a rash act. Stay tuned.

Hand 61 - The blinds go up to $100 and $200. I still have my $15,775, which is good for 68th place. 155 players are left, spread amongst 18 tables.

Hand 62 - Stole the blinds with a pair of deuces. Cowards.

Hand 63 - Player #8 asks to change decks. This is his right, but the game effects are limited - the card backs go from red to blue. On this hand, I start with a pair of queens and raise $400. The small blind, player #2, calls and everyone else folds. The flop comes out K-K-7. Uh oh. He shoves out $700 in chips. I call. The next card is a 6. He checks. I shove out $1,500. He folds. That moves my stash up to $17,575 and player #2's down to $30,850. I still have a long way to go.

Hand 65 - Player #3 is the "dealer" and raises $400. I, as the big blind, sit with 10-Q of clubs and call. The flop is 4-6-8. Too bad skip straights don't count. I check, player #3 bets $650. I decide to get out quickly. That win helps him more than it would have helped me, since he was under $3,000 in chips.

Hand 69 - I'm dealt 9-J and call the blind, player #9. Player #8 as the little blind also calls. The flop is generally unhelpful and after player #9 bets $300 I fold 'em. He wins the relatively small pot.

Hand 70 - Player #14 calls. With A-Q, I like my chances and raise $400. Player #7, crazy guy that he is, raises $1,200. I think I can afford to call. It's just him and me. The flop comes out Q-K-2 - not bad, but would have preferred an ace in there. I bet $800 and he drops. That was too easy. After counting out my $4,900 pot, I end up with $18,975 - still a good distance behind player #2's $30,850, but slowly closing the gap. Overall I'm in 53rd place amongst 146 players.

Hand 71 - I call with A-3 suited. Three other players also call, no raises. Good. The flop was unhelpful and after a bet and raise I get out quickly. Player #8 eventually went all in and won with two pair. That's $18,250 for him, one of the games biggest pots and puts him close to me.

Hand 74 - Player #8 wins with pocket aces and puts player #1 on life support with only $700 in chips left. This also puts player #8 ahead of me in chips for the first time.

Hand 79 - Players #2 and 4 call the big blind (player #8). I raise $200 with K-10 and everyone folds. I like pots like that. With $19,175 I'm still third at the table and 54th overall.

Hand 80 - Player #3 raises and I call with a pair of 6s. The flop is K-Q-J - unhelpful and probably dangerous. He bets $750 and I call it quits.

Hand 83 - Player #14 goes all in and wins with aces up. The $2,550 pot goes his way and keeps him in the game, for now.

Hand 85 - Players #9 and 4 call the big blind. I raise $400 with A-9 suited. Player #7 raises back $800. Against my better judgment, I call. But I get an ace on the flop and am looking solid. Even better when he checks to me. I bet $1,600 and he folds as expected. My balance is up to $20,175, still third at this table.

Hand 86 - Get dealt a pair of aces! Let's see how much I can make. Player #2 calls, and I raise $400. Everyone folds. It's not much fun when you get great cards and can't make much money. The good news is I'm in the top 50 overall, at #50.

Hand 88 - Player #1 is the big blind and that's all of his chips. We'll see if he can survive. Player #2's 8s beat player #1's 7s and he is gone. Bye bye.

Hand 90 - I raise $200 with K-10. Player #14 raises back to me and I call. He's short on chips. The flop is unhelpful and he checks to me. I bet $700 and he folds. I now have $21,775 in chips and am in second at the table.

Hand 91 - Two changes - I change the decks back to red, and there is now a $25 ante for each player. The blinds remain $100 and $200.

Hand 92 - Player #14 shoves all his chips out. I, as the big blind sitting with A-3, decide to call. I get a 3 on the turn and that's enough to win. For now, that leaves seven players at our table. With $22,825 in chips, I'm now in 43rd place overall. 124 players are still playing.

Hand 94 - New player in the one hole - I'll call him player #11. He brings $13,825 with him, which makes him a possible contender.

Hand 95 - I call with A-5. Three other players also call. The flop comes out K-A-6 - looks good for me. But players #8 and 3 both bet $550. I raise a grand. Only player #8 calls. The next card is a 9 and player #8 bets $2,375. I suspect he can beat me and so I fold. That moves him back into second at this table.

Hand 96 - I raise $200 with A-9. Player #6 raises $800. What's he got? I call. A-5-4 on the flop and the betting is to me. I bet $1,500 and he raises $3,000. Now I'm a little nervous. What DOES he have? I call again. The next card is a 3 - not helpful to me. I check. He bets all the $5,200 he has. I strongly suspect a straight and curse myself for getting trapped this far. Player #6 is now ahead of me with $17,100. My $15,175 is only good for 70th amongst the 120 players. I've got some catching up to do.

Hand 97 - We add a player - call him player #24. He has $30,700, almost as much as player #2. I'll keep an eye on him.

Hand 105 - I raise $200 with A-3. Player #7 goes all in with $850. I called. He had A-J and eventually won with a pair of kings. That puts me all the way down to $13,400, 73rd amongst 111 players still around.

Hand 106 - With K-J suited I raise $400. Player #8 raises back $1,200. I call. The flop is 3-4-5. I don't think that helps either of us. I bet a grand. He calls. The next card is a two. Yikes. I bet $2,000 and he folds. Whew. Back up to $16,700, which is now fifth at the table.

Hand 108 - Player #1 wins a big pot and takes fifth. Player #2 has lost first place to player #24. And then there's me in sixth.

Hand 113 - I find myself with A-8 suited and raise $400. I steal the pot, which is always helpful.

Hand 117 - Players #11 and 24 find themselves in a bloodly, costly duel. Player #24 comes out victorious with kings up. The pot comes to $35,275 and it puts him in complete control of the table. Player #11 went all in and is now out. That's the way the ball bounces.

Updating my status, I have $16,650 and find myself in 62nd place overall. 99 players are left at 11 tables. Time for another break.

NEXT: More action from the World Series of Poker. Will I make my move or will I make my exit?

[Honolulu Blue]

After a few good hands and nearly two hours of play, I find myself with almost $17,000 in chips. While good, this is hardly impressive and eventually I need to take them all to win.

Hand 119 - I was the big blind and everyone folded back to me, so I ended up with the antes and blinds. Not much, but it all helps.

Hand 120 - Holding Q-7 suited, I raised $200. Everyone folded. Cool. I'm now at $16,925.

After this hand we are all dismissed for the day and told to come back tomorrow.

TABLE 5, DAY 2

We redraw for new tables. I am assigned to table 5. The dealer deals out high card for the button. Player #3 ends up with a king and the button. This makes me the big blind.

Financial positions:

Player #1 - $6,750
Player #2 - $9,300
Player #3 - $10,525
Player #4 - $5,900
Me - $16,925
Player #6 - $42,250
Player #7 - $28,150
Player #8 - $9,700
Player #9 - $40,600

Clearly all the high rollers are to my left. That's not a great position to be in, unless I get lucky.

Here we go...

Hand 122 - Blinds go up to $150 and $300. Antes are up to $50. I'm in 60th place of 96.

Hand 126 - I end up with A-Q and raise $600. Player #7 raises back $1,800. No reason to be foolish at this point, so I just call. The flop is 8-10-K - more dangerous than helpful. I bet $3,000. He calls. The next card is a 3. I bet $6,300. He calls. The last card is a king. What do I do now? Bet it all, of course. He calls. He had a pair of kings, giving him four. So, I am done.

On the way out I'm told I finished in 93rd place. Perhaps I'll try again someday, given another year and another 10 grand.

Thus ends my dynasty. As always, thank you for reading.

[robbgmaier]

awwwww

but why go all in with ace high?

bah

the game is rigged, blue was paid off

[RPI-Fan]

He had already put so much into the hand, the only way to get out of his bluff was to go all in. But, alas, that's not going to work when up against an unbeatable hand.