Well folks, my dream of making the final table 2 years in a row is not going to be a reality...It was a little roller coaster of an ending.  For anyone who cares, basically there were three big hands before I was sent to the rail (er, to the beach).  First, with about 25k, I tried to make a move with AQs, re-raising preflop.  Didn't work - my opponent put me all in and I folded.  I really didn't like the situation...I was probably dominated and best case scenario I was taking a coin flip...Not quite yet, I thought.

With the blinds at 600-1200 with a 200 ante, I couldn't afford to wait too long with the blinds coming around fast.  I had only 17k after giving up the previous bet, and made a risky push with 9-10 of diamonds (one of my favorite hands!).  The big blind called with pocket 7's and I flopped a nine!!! YES.  That was the double up I needed and I had over 36k all of sudden.  Right where I wanted to be...one more double up and I would be right back in the game...There were only 310 players left and to get to the money I needed to get to 180ish.  If I could double up again I would be back in the chip average.  

THE VERY NEXT HAND (on the button) I looked down at the lovely Ace-King of Hearts...This was seriously the best hand I'd seen all day.  I announced, "he comes the rush" and bet 4200 on the button.  The small blind re-raised to 12k and I glared at him for a few seconds.  This was the second time he made a big raise from the small blind to my button raise.  I was thinking there is a good chance he may be weak, or bluffing because I had already folded 2 or 3 times previously to big re-raises in a similar situation.  If I folded again it would be extremely weak...I asked the guy, "do you really have the aces here? If you do, I go home."  And with that I pushed.  My overbet was 22k and he had about 40k left.  I was afraid he might have a monster, KK or AA.  But he didn't.  After my raise he went into the tank for about 5 minutes, so I figured he would have to fold, either I caught him bluffing or he wasn't strong enough to call and I think he should've put me on jacks or better.

He said, "I think I'm out of line here" and threw in the 22k to make the call...Yikes!

Pocket 8's vs AKh

The board ran out Q-9-Q-4-Q. 

It sure would have been nice to double up, but it didn't happen.  It is hard to go through a big tournament without winning a couple races.  I did my best to avoid those situations, but in the end I felt I needed to play more aggressive if I expected to get anywhere...

I did outlast everyone from last year's final table, except for my nemesis, Steve Paul-Ambrose.  He was still alive with around 75k...That was one goal I am a little sick about, lol... 

So now I will join everyone else in the loser's lounge and enjoy a wonderful vacation!  Maybe I will dabble in some of the cash games and daily side tournaments tomorrow...

1:30pm

Made it through the first level break even...No significant pots, I got away with a couple steals but lost a little ground all in all...Once again cards have been running remarkably cold.  I really need the deck to hit me, I can't get away with stealing every time. 

12:00

Day 2 begins with 451 players remaining.  The blinds are 500-1000 with 100 ante.  I have only 24.5k to start the day, so I am going to need to double up pretty soon to make any kind of run in this tournament.  My table draw isn't bad...No really big stacks, the average on the table is 44k.  No name pros, either.

View from our balcony.  It is paradise.

9:30pm  SURVIVED TO THE END OF DAY 1

Level 6 was tough but I made it to day 2.  With the blinds at 400/800 75 ante I managed to stay alive with a couple risky moves  (re-raises) because I was so card-dead.  I got away with both steals thankfully.  Between level 5 & 6 I was moved 3 times and the deck was colder than an average January day in Fargo.  So, I am pretty happy I was able to survive. 

SOMETIMES I NEED TO BE WILLING TO GAMBLE MORE.  There was one hand I regret big time.  I am 99% sure I made a HUGE mistake, I just hope it doesn't cost me the tournament.  I am a little embarrassed to relay the hand...In late position I raised to 2500 with KQ.  The player on the button called.  With a flop of Q-J-4, I bet 6000.  My opponent smooth called instantly.  I expected to take it down right there, so the call bothered me enough to start thinking...Did he have top two?  Did he spike a set?  Oh I hate playing scared poker...My gut told me just go all in on the turn, but the turn card was an 8, so then I even considered did he play 9-10?  Ugh.  I doubt it.  Does he have the same hand!!?  So I check and he puts me all in.  I go into the tank a long time (can't believe nobody called time on me) and finally fold, calculating that I still had enough chips to double up with and have close to an average stack.  I took the safe route, and I am 99% sure it was a mistake.  Eric Christl is pretty sure he overheard the guy telling his girlfriend he had K-J, which would make sense...I am an idiot.

Just before the end of the day I was moved to a new table seated to the right of Barry Schulmann (owner of Card Player Magazine) who had over 100k.  Tough spot, but I did manage to win a hand playing K-J to get up to where I sit now at 24.5k....

7:30pm  STILL ALIVE

Level 5 sucked.  I got moved and was card dead BIG TIME.  I seriously didn't get a hand better than 9 high for about 45 minutes.  Good news I'm only down to 24k.  Now I need to survive this level to go tomorrow.  I'm sitting to the right of Mark Seif (pictured w/myself right) and Andres Hendrikkson just busted out in seat 10.  I am in seat 1.  Later

6:00pm  BOB HOLAPPA BUSTED

My internet connection sucks.  I don't have much time, but unfortunately Bob Holappa (pictured right), our MPL champ has also busted.   

On a lighter note, Jeff Merrill no longer has a girlfriend...He has a fiance!!!!  That's right, Jeff proposed to Lori after taking the "Leap of Faith" slide and then proposed.  Now that's the ultimate leap of faith, lol!!!

Ok back to business I am still alive.  Level 4 I made a nice move and now I'm sitting around 29k, up from 15k the previous level...Got to go!

4:30pm  ERIC CHRISTL BUSTED

Our beloved Eric Christl (who works full time for the league and qualified through a satellite tournament on Poker Stars in December) had a cruel run of cards.  3 hands in a short period of time did him in.  The big hand was A-K vs. AA after flopping a king.  After that hand he doubled up with J-J vs 10-10 but then lost with A-J to AA to a player who was hyper-aggressive.

3:00pm  MIKE SCHNEIDER BUSTED

Poor Mike flopped a set of 9's but lost to a set of Queens when his opponent spiked on the river.  The money got in on the flop.  What a way to go, I feel bad for him...

The rest of us are still alive.  Bob looks like he's doing fine with around 20k.  I am down to a little over 15k after having a bad level...Eric Christl is still alive with 16.5k.

The next level the antes begin.  More later...

1:30pm  DAY 1 (B)

Well, I don't have much time on the first break, but I can tell you everyone survived so far with about break even chip stacks...Bob is sitting with Mark Montanari, Patel Kush, and Carlos Zambrano.  I am sitting with Paul Wasicka and Jon Friedberg.  I haven't been able to get a look at Mike Schneider's table. 

Hopefully I will be able to have an update at the next break...

6:30pm BUSTED

Jeff went into to do battle after the break...He was ready to get busy.  Pretty early in the level he made his move.  In the cuttoff seat (one away from the button) he raised with pocket fives.  The player on the button called.  With a board of 10-10-6 and one-third of his chips in the pot, Jeff moved in for his remaining 4200...His opponent insta-called with pocket sixes, flopping a full-house!  Tough luck there...

Jeff had bad timing all day long.  The only big hands he saw were pocket Queens and both times he ran into aces!  The one time he had pocket Kings he didn't get any action.  Never did get aces. 

Well, I'm starving so it's time to eat!  We're going to enjoy one of the fine restaurants here at Atlantis and probably have a drink or two to relax...Tomorrow updates will be tough because I'll be playing.  However, I'll do my best! 

6:00pm

I took a break and checked out the pool.  When I came back, Jeff was still alive, but his chip stack was down.  They are now breaking for 15 minutes before going to the 300-600 level.  I noticed Lance Harris (pictured right) was no longer playing.  When I asked Jeff what happened to him he explained that Lance busted in a huge pot, AA vs. KK preflop.  Ouch.

I wondered around a little bit and noticed some big stacks and interesting tables.  Chris Moneymaker and Steve Paul-Ambrose were playing on the same table.

I ran into Mike Schneider and his fiance Connie.  He was amazed at the resort and had been busy sightseeing and taking pictures...I saw Bob from time to time in the poker room, he is really getting the itch to play from watching today...He's bouncing off the walls in anticipation.

Well, time to get back to the action because there is no dinner break...They're playing through until about 8:45pm or whenever they get to 250 players.  They're at about 350 now. 

3:05pm

Jeff survived the 2nd level and stayed even with 14k. The chip leader on his table has about 46k.  Jeff tells me on break that he was pretty card dead and just kind of coasted through that level.  He says he has picked up a couple things on the chip leader and thinks that he wil have a good opportunity to take down a big hand with him eventually because he seems to like calling big bets with marginal hands...Go get em' Jeff!

2:15:pm

Jeff survived to the first break with 14k.  He seemed a little anxious about his start, and I reassured him that "this tournament is a marathon, not a sprint".  Right after the cards were back in the air, he dragged a nice pot with A-K after flopping a king.  

I've noticed there really aren't a whole lot of "big names" in today's field.  However, I do see Chris Moneymaker, Vanessa Rousso (pictured right) Mimi Tran, Steve Paul-Ambrose (last year's winner), and Barry Greenstein, among others.

1:15pm

Jeff Merrill got off to a rocky start.  The very first hand he picked up pocket queens and ran into pocket aces!  The hand cost him about 3k in chips.  Kind of crazy, but Jeff (middle picture) is sitting at the same table as Lance Harris (to Jeff's right) from Fargo.   

DAY 1 (A) 

11:20am  

It was an adventure but we all made it, even in time for the tail end of the Poker Stars welcome party last night...We enjoyed the free food and drinks and hanging with the poker crowd.  All of our players are feeling pretty confident and relaxed, which is good.  Only bad thing is some of my luggage didn't show up!  We're praying that it shows up on one of the flights coming in today.

The tournament structure is a little different from last year.  Starting stack is 20,000!  That means we could see a lot more loose play early.  I like that...

It sounds like there are close to 500 players for day 1...Jeff Merrill, our Nebraska Poker League champ, plays today.  I will try to find out who he's seated with and give some updates throughout the day.  Tomorrow Bob Holappa and Mike Schneider play tomorrow.  Eric Christl (full-time employee with the league) also qualified in a satellite tournament on Poker Stars and he plays tomorrow also.  We ran into Lance Harris (from Fargo) who also qualified for the tournament.  He plays today.   

5:00pm

Well, we've made it to Ft. Lauderdale!  The temperature difference is the first thing you notice!  We're looking forward to the Poker Stars welcome party later tonight... 

Bags are packed and we're headed to the Caribbean!  Bob Holappa, Mike Schneider, and Jeff Merrill are ready for the poker adventure of a lifetime...Follow this blog for updates on their progress, pictures from Atlantis and other tidbits...The tournament begins on Friday & Saturday, everyone gets in Thursday evening just in time for the Poker Stars welcome party...