Qualifying for the Main Event

Here I sit at my computer, just like I’ve done a thousand other times. But this isn’t like the other thousand. I’m not playing in a Sit and Go tonight. I’m not playing in a cash game. Tonight, I’m playing in a tournament. No. It’s not just a tournament. Tonight is the World Series of Poker satellite tournament on Pacific Poker.

I’ve been waiting anxiously for this tournament since I qualified for it a couple of weeks ago. This isn’t one of their regular satellite tournaments. This one is through one of their affiliates (like PokerNews but not) so the field promises to be small. It’s a small affiliate so the prize is only a seat. But how can I complain? I’ve got a chance at a $10K seat at the Main Event. I’ve been playing on Pacific for a couple of weeks earning points to qualify. I haven’t been doing that well so that just makes me even more nervous about the tournament.

OK. It’s time. Only 72 players. The cards are in the air (or on the screen as the case may be). The hands go by in a whirl. I’m up. I’m down. I’m slowly building my stack. I’m staying near the average stack. 1st break comes and we’re down to less than half of the field. Things are getting interesting. I haven’t really been at risk so far. Let’s hope this keeps up.

Fold. Fold. Fold. Am I ever going to get a hand? These blinds are growing. This is not a good time to go card dead. My stack has gone from above average to just below average. Please don’t let me go like Broomcorn’s uncle. What’s this??? ?? Finally. And on the big blind too?? (My favorite spot to get AA) Bet. Come on, bet. Yes!!! Now raise. Come on small blind. You know it’s a steal. RAISE!!!!! Yes!!! SB went all in. OK, let’s see. Initial raiser is a big stack. SB has just a little less than me. A call is a waste of time. Push time. Let’s do it big stack. Call. Call. Call. Yes!!! Time for a short prayer. “Dear Lord. Let them stand up. PLEASE LET THEM STAND UP. Amen.” Let’s see. It’s my vs bigstack's vs SB's . I feel like a miracle has happened. Flop’s rainbow crap so bigstack can’t get me. No king. No king. Turn, garbage. No king. No king. River……... Triple up time!!!! Yes. I’m 5th in chips with 22 left.

Amazing how many hands I’m catching now. AK, QQ, JJ. Even got to limp in with pocket 4’s and hit my set on the flop. Chip stack is still growing. 15 left. 14, 13, 12, 11, Final table time!!! OK. I’m 2nd in chips. I have to stay patient and yet maintain my aggression. 9th gone. 8th. 7th. Crap. Breaktime again. I don’t want a break. Keep this sucker running. OK. Maybe I do need to calm down. Relax. I can do this.

6th drops by the wayside. I’m up to 3rd in chips. 2 shortstacks and 3 bigstacks. 5th gone. I'm down to 3rd. What’s this? You want to raise my , Mr Chip Leader? OK. I’ll call. Hmmm, flop is . Yes. I will raise you with the top pair-top kicker and nut flush draw. Ooooooo, what’s that?? ?? Yes, I will call when you put me all in. ?? You’re drawing dead, buddy. Thank you very much. Say hello to the new chip leader.

4th place isn’t bad Mr Former Chip Leader. I know I left you shortstacked. Nobody blames you for pushing your pocket 5’s. Down to 3 with me holding around 50% of the chips. Looking good. Think I’ll stand up for a few hands. Fold. That’s right. You 2 fight it out. 3rd place gone. Time for heads up. Win a pot. Lose a pot. I’m feeling like a yo-yo. OK. I’m ahead by 10k chips. I’ll call your raise with my . . Good flop. Will you let me see a free card? Check. Nope. I’m going to have to call your pot bet. ??? I’ve got the nuts!!! Check. Please bet. Please bet. You can’t be serious. You pushed?? Call, call, call!!! It’s mine!!! I got the seat!!! Yes!!! Sure. I'm a gracious winner. I'll type the customary GG. TYVM.

I can't believe this. I've won a seat in the World Series of Poker. I give my wife a hug. I chain smoke a couple of cigarettes. Heck no, I'm not ready for bed. I may not go to bed tonight. The way that I feel right now, I don't know when I'll ever sleep again. OK, I've won the seat. Now I've got to get ready.................