Hand #1
This is literally the first hand of the tournament and I look down to AJ on the button.  I actually don’t like to play the first couple of hands of the night but this is just too good to pass up.  I raise and take it down.  Good start!

Hand #2
First time in the big blind and I look down to see AK of spades.  Not sure why but I call and we’re off to the flop.  Flop comes like so:

giving me the nut flush draw and a backdoor straight draw.  I make a bet and get one caller.  A ten comes on the turn giving me that straight draw which I bet again and get called.  I miss everything on the river giving me a pathetic AK high.  My opponent turns over Q3 for the win.  Chalk this one up to “shoulda raised Chewie”.

Hand #3
The very next hand I’ve AK off in the small blind.  There’s a pre-flop raise so I call and go to the flop.  I completely miss and fold to the next bet.  Two slick’s in a row and I’ve got absolutely nothing to show for it.  After my first hand victory I’ve been shut down and I’m feeling pretty crappy.

Hand #4
The next rotation around the table I look down at 92 off suit in the small blind.  I’m looking to play a pot so I decide to call and see if I get lucky on a flop.

I lead out for a bet of $50 and immediately get raised an additional $200.  At this point I’m playing a bit scared and even though I’ve got top pair I let it go.  Not sure what kind of flop I was looking for with 92.  Stupid play (especially if I’m not raising in that spot).

Hand #5
At this point I’m REALLY in a low spot mentally which is a terrible place to play poker.  I haven’t won a hand since literally the first hand of the tournament and I’ve been getting beaten down and playing poorly.  Unfortunately it didn’t change on this hand.

I’m in the small blind and look down to find 75 off suit.  I decide to take a call and hit gin:

Two pair with no real scary draws.  I bet and I get two callers (hmm).  The turn comes:

Not good… but not the worst card I could have hoped for.  I make another bet and two callers (uh oh).  The river comes and I’m done:

They have both represented diamonds from the turn and I missed my boat.  I’m first to act and I check.  First guy bets, second guy calls and I reluctantly fold.  Of course they both hit their flushes on the river.

Hand #6
Next time I’m on the button I see A7 of diamonds and raise it up and get one caller.  Flop comes 7K4.  I don’t think he’s got a King after he checks but I decide to check as well.  Turn comes another K and after his check I bet which he calls.  Now I have no idea where he is.  River comes a Ten and he bets which I call.  He shows a Ten.  Dammit.  I totally let him get there with an inferior hand.  Can’t tell you how irritated I was at this point.  This hand totally put me on tilt and led to the next three (7, 8 & 9) terribly played hands.

Hand #7
For some reason I neglect to raise with 88 and just call.  Flop comes 62T which is checked around.  A second Deuce comes on the turn and it’s checked around again.  A Jack on the river and a bet forces me to fold.  I’m playing scared and it’s pissing me off.

Hand #8
QT in the big blind.  It’s raised but I decide to call.  Flop comes 885, someone bets and I fold.  Terrible.  I have no business calling there.

Hand #9
AK under the gun – fold.  You’re reading that correctly.  I folded AK under the gun.   I was totally gun shy at this point and just didn’t want to play (and lose) another pot.  Quite possibly the worst feeling you can ever have at a poker table.

Hand #10
33 in the big blind and it’s raised to $300.  I call and hit a beautiful flop:

I check to the original raiser and he follows up with a bet which I call.  The turn comes a rag diamond and I move all in which he calls immediately.  He shows AQ offsuit and I double up.

Next post… THE FINAL TABLE!

See you after the flop!