Missed a free ride to the WPT. Barely.
A local league plays as part of a regional league, where the championship sends one player to the WPT.
I made it to the semi finals (I could only play half of the qualifying games, so this was a feat). The semi finals was a table knockout to qualify for the final championship.
I won the knockout table to qualify. In the finals I made it to the final table of 9. With the exception of one exceedingly stupid play from which I recovered, I played well to get there. I was a mid stack strong player. I was doing well playing position, and felt that I was one of the better players. The button had done me well.
Two things sent me home:
1) I was on BB, and hit two pair on a junk board. It was checked all the way around. On the river, a third club came up. It checked around to the semi-short stack small blind to my right and he went all in. It was a little more than half of my stack. I should have called. But I worked so hard to recover from that point... I knew it was a great opportunity for him to steal... And he even signaled bluff... (!!). But I chickened out, and thought it wasnt worth it. Play another hand. I folded.
Problem is - that is the man who won and is going to Vegas.
2) Same guy. Now Im semi short stack, 5 players. Im under the gun, get hit KK. I protect and make a move, going all in. Everyone drops out - except the BB - who is the same guy from before. He calls. With a freaking 69s. Im happy.
He hit the flush on the river.
I missed the best shot I may ever have at one my life's dreams getting beat by a 69s over kings, and a suckers bluff.
I needed to share.
