2009 WSOP: I Don't Quite Run Good Enough

There were 25 runners in the first PokerListings Run-Good Challenge WSOP freeroll today. Only one player would walk away with the $1,500 prize.

I came in a very frustrating 3rd place.

Now, to be fair, I could have been out a lot earlier. I busted Change100 all in preflop with A-8 against her A-K, but I only barely had her covered. If that hand goes the other way, I'm out in the middle of the pack. But this is the Run-Good Challenge. Naturally the spoils go to the player who runs best. For that hand it was me, but it would not be me for the tournament win.

I scrabbled my way to the final table, hanging on with the raggiest of rags. About all I could do at the final table was re-raise all in with suited connectors when it looked like people might be stealing. I finally got a boost when Benjo open-shoved his button for 4,500 at 200/400 and I found A-J in the big blind. He had Qd-9d and didn't improve.

Once we got to three-handed, I started getting the cards I'd been missing all tournament. Q-Q in the big blind, no action. K-K in the big blind, no action. Then the final hand -- T-T in the small blind. With blinds about to go up to 300/600, Poker Grump (20k) opened for 1,200. I made it 5,000 to go (7k more behind), folding Jason Kirk on the big blind. Grump shipped his stack and of course I called. He showed down A-Q and took the pot when four clubs hit the board. He was the only one with a club.

Not much I can do there. I like my hand more than his. If I could have just run a little better... Grump scored the win and the $1,500 about ten minutes later.

Good game to all and thanks again to PokerListings for setting it up. One more opportunity next Saturday.