Day 1 in the books; Day 2 starts tomorrow at noon

We just ended day 1 in the Championship event. We start day 2 tomorrow at 12am Central time. We started the day with 256 players and big names and players have already busted out. we are under 135 left going into day 2 so we have lost almost half the field. I was up and down all day but had one hand come up in the second round and I should be already on my way home but made the laydown of a lifetime.

The hand went like this. I was on the button and everyone folded around to the cutoff (the player before the dealer button) and he raised it to $675 with the blinds at $100/$200 with a $25, I looked down at pocket 99 so just called to see what the flop would bring and the big blind called the additional $475 also. Just so you know what I was thinking and why I just called is the guy in the cutoff if he has AK, or anything between JJ-AA he might reriase and I wont even get to see a flop and just donate 675 to him so that is why I just called. The flop came out 6,9,10 with all different suites. So I am thinking Yahtzee. The big blind checks the flop and the raiser bets out $2000 now I need to find out where I am at and there is enough in the pot to take it down right there. So I raise to $7000; I have about 17000 left after my raise, and to my surprise the big blind moves all in for 30K. The original raiser now folds his hand and it is up to me to make a decision. So now I have to think through the hand as it played out to determine if I have the best hand and what can I beat. He just smooth called the pre-flop raise as I did which could put him on a variety of hands. He wouldnt move in with AA, KK, QQ or JJ as I have been playing really tight and raised the flop. So now I think he has only 1 of 2 hands. either 10,10 for 3 10s or 78 for the straight. I really sit there for a long time trying to get a read on him. I ask him some questions trying to get him to talk to me. He seems really relaxed in his answers, a little too relaxed so now I know he has to have 78 and I fold my trip 9's face up to show that I was laying down a monster hand. And he actually flipped over his cards (78) for the nut straight. My read was dead on. All the people at the table started commenting on how it was a great read and a great play to ger away from the hand. On the other hand if I would have called I still had a 28% chance I pair the board for the full house but not a great chance. So I made a great laydown and am playing tomorrow.

I dont have a ton of chips but am about 15 times the big blind so have plenty of time tomorrow to build my stack.

I will write more tomorrow when I get done for the day. cardplayer.com and pokerpages.com are following the tourney.

I have put some images from pokerpages.com that were taken from today's tourney. Chris Moneymaker, Mike "the Mouth" Mattesow, Kenna James, and myself. I am wearing the hat because the poker room we were in was freezing.

until next time.