2011 WSOP Event #8 $1000 NLHE

Well...for some reason, I couldn't log in under my old profile. I haven't been on here much other than to refresh my mindset with some of the articles by Soupie and crew (which are really helpful by the way..I don't remember who wrote it, but there was one on MTT strategy and after reading it, I took down a Satellite to win a $1,000 Seat to the WSOP), and I changed e-mail addresses since I registered like 4 years ago.

So...this is my first year playing the WSOP...is anyone else going?

Has anyone played the $1,000 events? It is only 3,000 starting stack, but 1hr levels starting with 25/25.

What is a good strategy going in? Chip up early and take advantage of tighter players? Or should I just camp and only play premium hands? $1,000 is a pretty good chunk of my bankroll, so I'd hate to bust early because of gambling on hands and being too creative. But at the same time, I don't want to be that guy that gets bullied by the other players that $1,000 is just pocket change.

I've only played a couple tournaments with such a large field and relatively similar structure ($330 LA Poker Classic Tournaments), but I didn't get very far...

Check out the play and let me know if you think I played it wrong.

The first LAPC I played...I had 2,500 or so chips. AKsuited vs. KQoff I made a 5xBB raise in LP preflop and villain smooth calls. Flop is A T X rainbow....I check. Villain bets...I repop and villain pushes. He only had me by 25 TC and 2/3 of my chips were in...So I call...Of course he hits a J on the river for his str8.

The second LAPC tourney I played I had AA cracked by 45 suited after low stacked button pushed after my 7xBB raise...I had him covered, but was crippled after he flopped 2pr. Very next hand I have KQ and 8xBB or so in my stack. I limp UTG..MP min raises...fold around (tight table)...min raise smells fishy, so I just call figuring I'll still have 6xBB if I dont hit the flop. Flop is K T 2 or somenthing. I push and am snap-called. Guys has KT and I miss the turn and river.

Ideas? Suggestions? Past Experience? Game Plans? Let me know...I fly out tonight and will be playing day 1b on Sunday.

-Dan

I last played a $1500 WSOP event about 4 years ago. The structure was quite terrible. There were 3200ish runners, and it was a 3 day event (3rd day was just for the last 2 tables I believe).

The hands you posted seem pretty solid with one exception. With 8xBB, you're pushing or folding. Just get it in with KQ.

Originally Posted by Ghaleon

The hands you posted seem pretty solid with one exception. With 8xBB, you're pushing or folding. Just get it in with KQ.

Yea...you're probably right..I just hate pushing with KQ...was hoping people would just limp I'd hit the flop and feel better about the push. Usually I only push UTG with at least an A.

In this case...a push might have scared 'ol KT min-raiser out? But who knows...There is no sense to a KT min-raise in early-mid position, so he prolly would've called anyways.

Originally Posted by Danswa

I just hate pushing with KQ...was hoping people would just limp I'd hit the flop and feel better about the push. Usually I only push UTG with at least an A.

I didn't read most of your post but I wanted to say that KQ is just as good or better than most Ax when pushing UTG.

So...I played pretty well...Played Day 8b on Sunday 2,100 or so players I got knocked out in the 7th or 8th blind level with 400 or less players left. So...I beat 1700, but that wasn't good enough to go to the next day.

The structure was pretty weak and it was hard to really get much play in. Unless you double up in the first 3 levels, you pretty much have to be prepared to shove if someone plays back at you, otherwise you're severely crippled.

I played rock solid, minus a couple button raises with tier 2 hands AT, KQ, KJ, 88, etc. But, because of the small (3,000tc) starting stack, I was reluctant to do this too often...but when I did, I generally got respect.

I did get lucky 2x...first was right before the 1st break. I raised in the SB with AsQs about 3xBB and was min raised by the Big Blind who I assumed was a Russian Pro (looked familiar and had an accent). I had a feeling he thought I was stealing and wanted to resteal. My stack was only at about 10xbb so I pushed and he snap called. I was actually happy (as much as I could be) to see he had JJ and I had overs. Flop was A J x rainbow. I saw my life flash before my eyes, but then a Q hit the Turn...and an A on the river gave me AAAQQ over JJJAA Guy pounded the table and we went on a break immediately after. LOL

Very next hand after the break I get JJ on the button and there are 4-5 limpers. I raise 5X and pick up a nice pot uncontested.

After that, I grinded and picked up little pots here and there, the one play I tried to make with 9cTc, fell flat when the Russian called my raise and a guy in late position Pushed. I folded, Russian called and to my dismay, I would have flopped an open ended str8 and flush draw. The russian won that one with AK vs AQ...I would have won with the flush and got very healthy, but it wasn't meant to be, and I was glad the russian got some poker love after I douched him.

Then right before the dinner break...I was at 10xBB again and they announce that the break is in a couple minutes. I have JToff, but I figure I don't wanna to have to wait 90minutes only to come back and push, so I push. Get a call from another presumed pro (looked a lot like John Juanda...maybe his brother?). He had AK...I like that I have live cards, and with some encouragement from the chip leader to my right calling out the cards I hit runner runner for the str8. LOL

First hand back from the Break, I have KK, and once again pick up some blinds. After that I grinded it out for a while and couldn't make anything happen. Eventually ended up pushing KQ off and got called but the same guy (Juanda looking dude). He had AK and I was dominated. This time I couldn't get away and he had me covered by only 100 or so chips and was out.

I did like that I was able to hang with the pros and that they didn't seem to be able to get a read on me any more than other people I play with. So...I feel like I gained some confidence from that. In addition going that deep in a tournament that big with not many hands, makes me feel good. Last but not least I got to sit at a table with Lacy Jones for 3 hours and didn't feel weird about staring at here, because she probably just thought I was trying to read her...LOL

A9 vs. a calling range of top 15%
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KQ vs. top 15%
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