2007 Series Player Spotlight on Sai2pokers

I found out about the 2007 Series poker satellite main event seat that Poker Host was giving away while I was casually browsing the Internet looking for online qualifiers. There were 2 ways to qualify into the Caveman Qualifier, at the beginning it was via poker cash games by earning enough raked hands and later on the sit and go. I qualified with raked hand points and so it was pretty much a free roller’s ride entering the tournament. There were 321 players competing in this Caveman Qualifier huge giveaway. And, since this tournament is configured with re-buys for the first 2 hours and one add-on; my strategy was just playing small pots and building my chip stacks slowly unless I have a huge hand. I was running good and picked my spots for stealing.

At the end of the re-buy period, I was somewhat in the middle of the pack. I choose not to add-on for more chips since I have a pretty substantial amount compared to the blinds. I was doing pretty well without risking my whole stack and I never did have to move all in till the later stages of tournament. At final table, I was among the short stacks but I managed to win a few key hands to keep me afloat. Before I knew it, it was heads up play. At that point I was more than willing to gamble because I could do no worse than 2nd place; which won me the grand prize $12000 package.

This trip marks my second time to Vegas to play Texas Holdem poker; I arrived the day before the main event kicks off; and was left with either playing the next day which was DAY 1A or DAY 1D which I chose the latter as I needed time to settle in. Buying in for the tournament itself took more than 3 hours plus as the queue took forever and when I was done; the queue was just still as long if not longer. There were a lot of promotional and merchandise booths set up and the massages that has gotten so popular at this stressful event. You can relax for a little while with massages at the booth or have one at your table while you are playing poker. LOL

To experience the atmosphere of a WSOP MAIN EVENT is truly an eye opener.

Playing in a live game as big as the main event is my first; the rush of emotion alone is priceless and unparallel. On the day that I play; I saw Gus Hansen, Daniel Negreanu and a few other pros present in the big hall with about 1500 other players and Freddy Deeb sitting at the table next to mine. Jamie Gold and another pro Steve Zolotow was at the featured table of the day. WOW! It was just so much more exciting than watching the pros on tv, now they are pretty much anywhere in the room! I lasted almost till dinner break before I got knocked out with KK up against AQ on a queen high board and I push all in and unluckily another queen popped on the turn that ended my day.

The other big hand that chopped me down earlier was my set of fives against set of aces. What an unlucky break for me and I was surprised that I did not go broke there then. Though I was out the first day on these bad beats and coolers, just being part of this 2007 main event makes me looking forward to more upcoming live tournaments.

I would like to thank Poker Host for providing me the opportunity to play in my first biggest live game ever and for making all accommodation and transportation arrangements to perfection. And, good luck to all the players trying for the different satellite seats given away and hopefully they will all have better luck cashing in.

Sai2pokers

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