Chips & Spin

I overcame two hundred and ninety four people in a $5 tournament last night but ended up worse for wear afterwards.

Earlier in the evening I had taken part in the Sharpshooter Bounty tournament on Bet365 but ended up finishing at the first break not having knocked anyone out in order to claim their buy-in to the game.

Once I closed up the Bet365 software I made the decision that - after going to bed at five the night before - that I would go to sleep earlier.

Yeah right.

I decided that I would have a go at Blue Square Poker so deposited some money into my account and played in a feeder for a live event. I lost patience and departed the game in an early place.

The heads-up games were then mine as I beat an opponent thus doubling up my money.

I still thought the night was early so - a little after eleven o'clock - I looked at the muti-table listings and saw there was a $5 tournament about to start. I registered and awaited the William Tell Overture which sounds to signify the start of the tourney.

I was given great cards. One example was being fortunate enough to have low pairs in my hole cards and then hitting trips on the flop only to check the flop and then go all-in when someone bet at me. Once they made their call to my raise the fourth card I needed to make four of a kind came out on the turn. This event happened twice within six hands which was amazing.

Eventually, I started to succumb to sleep deprivation. I had lasted over two hours and was in the top thirty. The first twenty-seven players were paid out so I thought I would hang on until I made the money.

The good cards kept coming, though.

It eventually ended up with the final three. At this point it was neaerly two in the morning and I just wanted to get the game over with. The third place took away $130 so I was happy to win that. But I didn't.

I ended up knocking out the third player in our trio which meant I had gone up to finish either second or first. By eradicating the other player I had become chip leader so my opponent had to fight at me to win the game.

My recent games of heads-up proved to be valuable experience in this situation. Last Friday night I was telling Miguel that he should consider playing the one against one games himself so he learns how to end a tournament victorious.

The final hand ended up with me on the big blind with a pair of queens. The cards that have loved me and hated me on many an occasion. My foe went all-in with his last 80,000 chips. I made the call. He turned over a ten and a king but nothing came out to save him.

After winning the first prize of over $400 (£225GBP) I went downstairs to get a drink of orange juice. I then started feeling dizzy and rushed back upstairs so as to get the sleep I needed.

I know I will be back playing again but this last game really did take it's toll on my tired body. A tired body that is excited over winning a big tournament like this one.