AFK for a couple of days I'm afraid...

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interesting turn of events...

hope all is well!

Nice trip report. Really makes me want to go solo from the UK again. I've been twice, once solo, once with a poker buddy and solo was by far the most fun. You don't have to hang around if you bust a tourney early, and can just go eat whenever you feel like and play wherever you want etc.
I find it awkward telling people at home who don't understand about poker and stuff that I went on my own though.

Really enjoying the TR.

I have used virgin miles to book a flight before and have generally found it ok as long as your availability is flexible.

Yeah, all's good thanks...updates to follow very soon!


The independence that going solo gives you should not be underestimated.
As I said before, I delayed making my first trip to Vegas as I wanted to go with a poker buddy. I'm so glad I let this requirement slide.

Would I make the trip solo again? Absolutely.
Would I take a poker buddy? Absolutely...but...
...it depends on the buddy.
One of my mates would be ideal...independent, happy to do his own thing, would probably even stay at a different place...just meeting up now and again when our plans collide.

Other mates may want to do lots of joint things and that wouldn't suit me as well.

Thanks for the kind comments re: the TR...More updates soon!

Okay...we continue!

28th February - 11:25am

I had AJ utg, raised and took it uncontested.


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28th February - 11:30am

16 big blinds left.
32 away from the money.

Shove or try and sneak into the money.....hmmm.....



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28th February - 11:40am

Now on 100k...had AT, raised, villain called.
I c-bet, he folded.

172 players left

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28th February - 11:50am

159 players left


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28th February - 12:10pm

Omg!!

We are ONE away from the bubble...TD has instructed dealers to shout out if they have an all-in.

Villain 1 in early position raises (IIRC to 15k)
Villain on my immediate right (shortstack) shoves for about 9k more.
Dealer shouts "ALL-IN table 57!"

I have AQ hearts!

Whilst I'm thinking...another shout, "ALL-IN, Table 27!"

Arrgh!

Can I fold my way into the money? SHOULD I fold my way into the money!?!?!!?

The situation was messing with my mind and I wasn't sure if Villain 1 could re-raise if I flat.
Also, I can call but if I hit and he hits better I can bust...

I decide to flat, hoping he calls behind. Then I can fold if I miss.
He does call.

I flop the nut flush!

Check, Check.
Check, Check. (Why won't he bet, dammit!)
Check...I bet

Obviously the all-in on my table busts.

The all-in on the other table...busts as well.

The Bubble Has Burst...
WE ARE IN THE MONEY!!!


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I assume v1 folded (and probably didn't have a hand) plus thought the two of you were implicitly colluding to maximize chance of eliminating the other player and bursting the bubble.

Well done mate!

oops! Missed that bit in the post...

Yeah, Villain 1 folds to my river bet...didn't show but he folded quickly so I guess he had very little.

Cheers! V Happy indeed to make the money in a big event at the Venetian DSE. As I said before, I'd decided before I left the UK to play this tournament so couldn't be happier!

28th February - 12:25pm

150k in chips, average 166k
Blinds 3k/6k ante 1k
137 players left.


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28th February - 12:30pm

Picture time!

Not sure who he is....but the guy at my table in the green hat seems to be attracting some attention.

The word is that he's a poker pro that came 5th in the WSOP main event a couple of years ago for over $2 million!





The guy on his right (in the red jersey) had been a massive chip leader, in fact he started the day second in chips overall.

He'd been quite aggressive but got caught out a few times.

Apparently he'd been on a massive heater in the last 20 minutes of day 1 and gone from a short stack to 2nd in chips.


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the guy in a green hat is a foosball champion if im not wrong

Billy Pappas, 5th in 2014 ME.

That's the guy!

From Wikipedia:

William Pappaconstantinou (born September 28, 1984) commonly known as Billy Pappas is an American professional table football player and amateur poker player from Lowell, Massachusetts. He won the Tornado format Men's Singles ITSF WCS in 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2013 and also won the Men's Singles Tornado Champions in 2009 and 2011. He has been ranked among the best Tornado table football players in the world since the age of 20. He often partners with Tony Spredeman for doubles. In poker, he made final table in 2014 World Series of Poker Main Event finishing 5th.

Pappas formerly worked as a poker dealer and said he plans on being smart with his earnings at the WSOP. He is known for wearing a green Yoshi cap which he attributes to the game Super Smash Bros.

As of 2016, his live poker tournament winning exceed $2,150,000.

So I'm playing with the pro's now


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28th February - 1:07pm

Currently on break, current status in the pic.

I'm on 115k




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28th February - 2:00pm

Okay...blinds are 5/10k ante 1k
I have 100k so looking to get it in!

28th February - 2:40pm

Villain 1 to my right raises pre, I shove for about 10 bigs with AQ hearts.

Villain 2 on my left shoved over the top

Folds to Villain 1, who calls

Villain 1 on my right has JJ
Villain 2 on my left has AK off-suit
I have AQ of hearts

Board runs out putting a King on the river...
..
..
..
...But that doesn't matter as the 2 of hearts on the turn made my nut flush! #neverindoubt

Tripled up, now on 225,000


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28th February - 3:00pm

Lost a couple of pots...blinds are brutal now.
Now on 155k and looking to get it in.

62 players left.


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28th February - 3:20pm

Currently on a break and my stack is 157k.
Need to ship it quick, only 10 bigs when we return.

There'll be about 40k in the pot each time with blinds and antes




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Wow, nice run! Keep it up!