Fourth level

This is where things start getting tricky. We are playing for four more hours, and people are tired and getting tireder with each passing minute. There are bargains to be had against these tired people making bad decisions, but you have to avoid being the guy making the bad decision.

At 58,600, I could go to my hotel room and come back at midnight and still have chips. But what’s the fun in that? I am here to build my stack, not just to survive.

But this is the challenge of the tournament. There are too many players in every hand - the likelihood is high that I will run into at least one very good hand every deal. I can’t play fun goofy poker, as much as I really, really want to.

I have to keep waiting.

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Well, a good hand came on the button.  AKd, and a guy out of position raised into me for 1200. The flop was a bunch of nothing, so the guy checked and I bet 4000.  He re-raised to 12,000 and I called. The next card did not improve me and I had to fold to his all-in.

I then started to spiral. Top pair lost to a straight.  KQd did not improve on the flop. One more hand that I dont even remember now cost me a raised blind.  When I came out of my tailspin, I was down to 25,300.

I am in trouble.

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I have not had a pocket pair better than jacks in seven hours of play. This is getting a little ridiculous. The law of averages is not playing fair with me right now.

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I am so card dead right now. I haven’t played a hand in an hour.  This is not fun, not at all.

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Played 88.  Won the hand. Woo hoo.

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At the break, 27,900.  Will need some help in the last level.  Wish me luck!