Having lost a large part of my stack to a runner runner flush making it extremely difficult to make any moves with out risking elimination, I managed to grind my way back to what I’d started with (10,000) before moving tables for the first time late into the day.

The table I’d been on all day was probably the toughest to play at the whole event, it seemed to take an eternity to lose our first player, largely I’m sure due to the fact that I was short stacked. So I was fairly happy with the move.

A couple of hands in and I faced an all-in bet from a player with just under 20,000. In late position looking down at A-Jo and with the blinds/antes beginning to bite I had to begin taking some risks and decided to call. My opponent flipped over a pair of sevens and the race was on. A dream flop of A-A-J hit and my hand stayed in front with the turn and river failing to produce the pair of sevens needed by my opponent.

A couple of hand later however and he would get his revenge in the cruellest of fashions. The blinds now at 600/1200 and antes of 100 he pushed all-in with slightly less chips than I had. Holding pocket Queens and still substantially below the average sized stack so it was an instant call. My opponent flipped over Q-Jo making me a massive favourite at approximately 9-1 on to win the hand. Unfortunately for me a rainbow flop contained a nine, the turn produced a ten. The early delight at seeing my opponent’s cards had now faded and I could sense impending doom. Sure enough the river produced the King he need for the straight and I was now left with just a handful of chips.

Without enough to cover another big blind I decided that I would have to push with any Ace, when I did a couple of hands later I was called by a player holding A-K and I was out in 99th place!

Despite never gaining any real momentum in the tournament, failing to make the second day and the manner in which I was eliminated I, like I’m sure everyone else who attended had a fantastic time and met some great people and would like to thank Virgin Poker and Dusk Till Dawn for putting on a great event!

Best of luck to Derek Miller A.K.A. AK Riverswho I met when he attended the Calzaghe v Kessler fight which I hosted for 888.com Forums, who has made the final table and is looking in great shape for a shot at the title.

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