WSOP Summer Part 3: The Main Event
- Puddnhead
- Aug 7, 2024
- 17 min read
Updated: Aug 11, 2024
WSOP Day 33
Stuck a bunch after the last 2 weeks but I’m back in the money in the Orleans Main Event and feeling confident. Headed to Venetian to fire their $1100 daily today.
Decided to just skip the Colossus. The payout structure for that tournament is so unappealing to me. Last year 100th place out of 16,000 entries paid $4,230. So you played 3 days and outlasted 15,000+ players and got 10x your buyin. I think I would be pretty disappointed with that.
Cashing the Colossus for 5 figures feels next to impossible. It’s a cool tournament if you come with a budget of $1000 and want to play a huge tournament with a shot at a 6 figure score but for me investing multiple days in it doesn’t feel worth it.
So it’s off to the Venetian where the TVs at the blackjack tables play Law and Order SVU during the day.
2 bullets Venetian $1100:
Bluffed off most of the first bullet in a pretty good bluff spot
Played well just didn't cash
1 bullet MGM $300:
Lost a big flip after late reg to lose most of my chips
WSOP Day 34
Day 2 of the Orleans Main Event. No plans besides this one but I’ll play it by ear.
360 players left and $200k up top.
Tournament starts up in 9 minutes and they still haven’t published the chip counts and seat assignments 😅
Classic Orleans. Update from Twitter and hour ago: “Working on it now.”
We have our own seat assignments they just never published the full list so we can look up our tablemates.
Somebody else got my same seat assignment. I go up to the front desk and they have my bag at the front desk 🤷🏻
I guess this is something like overbooking a flight on a plane?
I have been reseated. Next lol is we’re playing with 2 different 25k chips 😅
It’s a bit of a shit show at the Orleans Poker Room. I kinda love it.
Just lost a huge pot KK < JJ that would have put me over a million. Instead down to 228k (19bb)
I’ve won like every other pot I’ve played, no mistakes. Just can’t win a fucking huge all in where I’m 80% favorite.
Got a full double JJ > TT and back up to a healthy 585k (39bb). Avg is 410k
Made it to the first break with 560k about exactly avg coming back to 10k/20k. 196 players remaining
Lost a flip 77 < QTs and down to 21bb
Busted 135th. Tragic hand. 16bb opened BTN with 96s, both blinds called. 952tt flop, not my flush draw. 2 checks, I bet 100k into 175k, 2 calls. 4x turn. 2 checks. I bet 240k leaving myself just 25k. SB snap-jammed. BB folded. I figured I was dead to 3 outs but I was getting 40 to 1 in the pot so I called off the last chip. She had the A3s straight with the flush draw and I was indeed dead to 3 outs, which I did not hit. GGs.
I think I just have to go for it there. A3 gets there but they can also have A4, A5, flush draws, maybe some ambitious 76s and 87s. With a top pair of 9s and two opponents I can’t check back the turn and give them both a free card. The river was a 9 anyway so I would have paid off the straight with trips anyway. No way out on that one.
WSOP Day 35
Took the morning off and went to the laundromat and grocery store. Didn’t want to deal with that stuff during the Main Event.
Speaking of which, the WSOP Main Event starts this week. If anybody wants a piece of me just message me. I already sold 5% to a MN reg who buys pieces of everyone.
Got back from the laundromat and realized the $400 Mystery Bounty downstairs was on the max late reg break. So I literally ran downstairs to register before break ended, arrived with 5 minutes left in level 8, got seated before the break, got all in A9s vs JTs, lost, and now I’m on bullet #2 with 20bb and late reg closed.
Might go play a $240 HORSE at Orleans if I bust this quickly.
2 bullets MGM $400 40k Mystery Bounty
Late regged and lost 2 reasonable allins:
A9s < JTs
99 < KK
2 bullets Oreans $240 HORSE
Never got anything going. Probably played too loose. Very turboey though.
WSOP Day 36
Playing the $1700 Moneymaker Tour Main Event today. First tournament I’ve showed up to right on time all summer. That’s because it’s a noon start and it’s in the hotel where I’m staying. And also starting late apparently.
Only planning to fire once in this today. I’ll play it by ear if it all goes to shit.
1 bullet Moneymaker $1700 Main Event
Busted level 1.
- Tough one in a 3b pot BTN vs CO with 64s on 543r where I ended up folding river.
- Called it off bad with a boat JTo on T4494
1 bullet WSOP $1000 Mini Main Event
Played great? 4b jammed AQo for 25bb on the bubble and lost a flip to JJ
WSOP Day 37
Went down to Paris today intending to register the Main Event. I have to do it with cash because my tournament account is drying up. Long late reg line because they probably have to double and triple check all the $10k stacks of cash or something.
I was standing in line and then just decided to bail and play the $800 Independence Day tourney instead, which I registered on my phone. I’ll play the Main tomorrow.
Anyway on break in this one now with 55k coming back to 1000/1500. Starting is 40k so chipped up a little bit but no huge pots.
Feeling good today even though I bubbled last night. Had some discussion on discord about the spot and I like the jam with AQo there on the bubble. Just gotta win the flips.
Don’t feel like I’ve made any blunders so far this week, although I have only played maybe 7 hours of holdem so it’s not the largest sample. Feeling clear-headed though and I think I’m playing my A game.
2 bullets WSOP $800 Independence Day
Played great, busted JJ < 66 and didn't cash
WSOP Day 38
Playing the WSOP Main Event Day 1B today.
I don’t recognize anyone at my table, so that’s good. We’re 6-handed for now with an absent 7th stack that’s getting blinded out. Much better table draw than my first table the last time I played the main when I had David Peters, Landon Tice, and Brian Altman all at my first table.
Strapped in and ready to grind.
Aussie guy at my table struggling to order coffee. “I want it white. So do I have to say, add cream?”
53k after level 1 (starting is 60k). Was cruising then went on a downswing last 15 minutes of the level. Good time for a break.
We’re 8-handed now and I love my table draw.
Just lost a big pot where I flopped trips in the BB against top boat. I guess I lost the minimum though? Maybe could have folded the river but it was another munson betting and the lady with tens full just calling. Weird hand. Down to 47k
It was UTG9 + UTG8 (munson) and I overcalled BB with 83s.
T88 flop lady bets small 2 calls.
2x turn lady checks, munson bets half pot, two calls.
Qx river. Lady checks, munson bets 60% pot, 2 calls.
Lady has TT!?
She check-called turn with top boat and check-called river as well. Very strange.
Won a big pot where I called down with a pair of aces and rivered top 2. Made a nitty check-call on the river rather than raising but she would have folded anyway because she had a bluff.
Back up to 67k
Won another big pot where I overcalled a 3b on the BTN with 66 and flopped a set. Bet-call flop, check-bet-call turn and I was set up for a river jam but the river was a queen completing a flush and broadway for AK plus the 3-better could have QQ so I checked back and won against AJ top-top on the turn.
92k after level 2 coming back to 200/400
Flopped a set again and won a decent pot but the guy laid down top pair to a pot sized jam on the river. Should have paid me on that one I think. Very dry board. I guess I could have bet smaller and he would have called but he snap-called turn leaving himself only pot behind. Jam felt like the only move. Oh well. Up over 100k now
Nevermind I can’t check river with a small set there when I unblock all the hands that should call a jam. I think the jam is fine. If anything I could have left him a few thousand and maybe he would have been less likely to hero fold top pair.
I just had AA 4-handed on the turn and bet 10k into 13k on a queen high board. A lady folds KQ and a guy folds AQ. What the hell? Only in the main event I guess.
I like the big bet anyway. There were a million draws and 4 players.
My wonderful table broke and I got moved to a new table that looks a bit tougher but we’ll see. One guy over 200k at the new table. I have 105k on dinner break coming back to 300/500
Pretty quiet level for me but that’s totally fine. Made one hand. 114k on the last break of day 1 coming back to 300/600
I just cold 4b SB with AKs and the BB min-click 5b to 20k. LJ called and I called. Massive pot 100bb preflop.
T86tt flop where I had the backdoor flush draw and BB bet 11.5k into 60k. LJ called. I folded.
I forget the rest of the runout but they showed down KK vs QQ. I would not have caught up.
Onto Day 2
WSOP Main Event Day 1b
Played well, no blunders.
Several times when value betting they got away from big pairs.
Didn't execute any huge bluffs.
Bagged 106k
WSOP Day 39
I have a couple days off before Main Event Day 2. Took it easy this morning until I got bored then headed over to Aria where I’m about to jump in an $800 single day on level 5.
Playing my best poker recently I think. I feel like they have to cooler me to beat me at the moment.
First hand guy with 25bb to start opens to 4bb HJ, I 3b him in CO to 10bb with TT, he calls.
QQ6 flop. Check, jam, call. He has QJs. I berated him a bit. I was pretty annoyed. I guess besides the 4bb open it’s reasonable 🙄
Nick Hammer - so is he supposed to fold QJs there to your 3 bet? Or not open with it?
He should min-raise and then call/fold/jam vs 3b are all fine. In this spot when I 3b to 40% of his stack I would think it’s jam or fold. Calling off 40% of your stack to take a flop out of position when you have less than pot behind isn’t really a thing.
Busted on a cooler. Opened AKo, two callers.
A62r checks through.
4 turn bet-call fold.
King river. Bet-jam-call. He had 66 🤷🏻
Not going to max late reg this one. Think I’ll get something to eat and then go play the $400 daily at the WSOP.
Changed my mind after a chicken sandwich and max late regged the Aria for bullet #2
Bullet two off to a hot hot hot start. Made a flush on the river and doubled up first hand defending BB. Two hands later got KK and another full double vs AJ that flopped top pair. Up to 82bb 🔥🔥🔥
Just got paid on a sweet river overbet with just a pair of tens, then soon after that KOed a 40bb stack QQ > ATo blind v blind.
Up to 120bb now and avg is 35bb
315k on break coming back to 2k/4k. 198 players left and 93 paid. Avg is 112k
KOed a shorty TT > 99 and up to 370k
Just lost a ridiculous one.
Opened Q9s HJ. BTN with 11bb flats!? Everyone else folds.
976tt flop. Check, he bets, I jam, he calls. He had K9o!? Dude flatted K9o vs a raise with an 11bb stack approaching the bubble? I just can’t wrap my head around that one.
Approaching the bubble with a big stack a fun one:
BTN opens, I defend BB with J8o.
422tt flop and I have a flush card. I lead 15k into 44k, snap-call.
Turn 6 putting a 2nd flush draw on the board. I lead 30k into 74k, snap-call.
9x river. I jam 150k effective into 134k. A huff and a puff and a fold. 🙂
Burst the bubble AKo > JJ
Lost a huge pot called a jam on the turn with top pair of jacks and an open-ended straight draw and lost to an overpair 😕
63 left and I’ve officially returned a profit on the day. Current payout is $1703.
44 players remaining and I’ve laddered up to $2130
36 left but I just lost 20% of my stack 3-betting AKo and then checking it down on a queen high board and losing to 66. 25bb. Laddered to $2,441
Just got a double AJs > 99. Still alive. 33bb with 34 left
26 left and laddered up to $2,987. 22bb
Out in 24th. Paid off the big blind’s 43 straight and then busted the very next hand KTs < AQo. Laddered up to $3,485 though at least
WSOP Day 40
Playing an early bird (10am) $400 single day at MGM where I’m staying today. I don’t expect this to go super late so I should be able to get a lot of rest before the WSOP Main Event Day 2 tomorrow.
Really happy with my play yesterday at Aria. No blunders. One hand late I think I made a mistake and wish I would have folded the river.
It was a tough spot though where I snap-checked back the turn and then a big stack in the BB bombed the river on K6252. I made the call with A6 and he had 43.
Reasons to call: He was the most gambly guy left in the tournament, my snap-checkback on the turn is going to induce bluffs, the solver says call.
Reasons to fold: After the 2 pairs on the river it’s hard to find bluffs for him. Just 54/53 if he decides to turn those into a bluff and random airballs that he decided to float flop with.
Solver would bluff with the no equity double backdoors that float flop like 98s/97s but not sure if this guy would. Anyway wish I would have folded that one.
Off to a good start today. 65k coming up on the first break. Starting is 30k.
I busted level 8. Got it in 3 times and lost all 3 🤷🏻
Rebought. Might get one hand before late reg closes. Nope. Guy’s just tanking the last minute.
Just opened black QQ UTG7, LJ and BB both called. T98 all diamonds flop and BB open-jammed. I folded, LJ called with KT no diamond. BB had 98 no diamond. Board ran out 77 and I would have won with queens and 7s. Oh well. Good fold.
Got 2 KOs right before dinner break and up to 152k at 2k/4k. 72 players left and 29 paid.
First KO I just called an 8bb jam with AJo in the BB and took out Q8s.
2nd KO I flatted an early position raise with AA and called 3 streets on a queen high board. He had KQo
Just lost half the stack. Guy turned the nuts with a gutter and slow-played it. Put in a tiny raise on the river and I paid it off with 2nd pair. Down to 15bb.
So right after losing half my stack I doubled AKs > AJo and then immediately after that doubled again when I turned the nut straight and old man ripped it with top pair drawing dead.
Think I’m chip leading now. Won a massive pot blind vs blind where we got it in on the turn my nut straight vs his 2 pair. 46 players left
3b QJs BB vs BTN, called a 4b, folded on an 886tt flop.
Then doubled up a shorty T8s < K7s.
I still have well above avg with 65bb but I’m no longer chip leader
The good news is I have a big stack approaching the bubble. The bad news is I’m tired and putting in another 12 hour day at the poker table when I should be resting up for the main event.
If I make Day 3 of the Main I will for sure rest on my day off. Probably.
Doubled up a shorty A5o < KQo but still healthy with 47bb on the stone bubble now
In the money
21 left and I am now officially profitable on the day. Current payout is $945
Just lost most of my chips hero calling vs top set. I think I had a good hand to call with. Down to peanuts now.
Doubled up with 93o in the BB and back up to 14bb. Not dead yet. 18 left. Laddered up to $1150
15 left and laddered up to $1,370. I’ll have 11bb when we come back from break
Busted 13th
WSOP Day 41
Today is Day 2ABC of the WSOP Main Event where flights A, B, and C combine to play 5 more 2 hour levels.
I have a couple B-list poker celebrities at my table in Katie Lindsey (ACR sponsored pro and married to Chris Moorman) and Skull Mike (commentator for The Lodge livestream). No top high stakes pros though. And no big stacks. I’m actually 2nd in chips at my table with 106k to start.
Feeling pretty good. I’ve been playing my best poker lately. I’m well rested. Sober. They’re going to have to cooler me to beat me.
Three fancy watches at this table. Maybe more - some wrists are obscured. I guess you get that in a $10k tournament.
Got a medium-big bluff through on the very first hand of the day.
3b AQs CO vs LJ.
732tt flop neither of my suits. Check-b30-call.
King turn bringing a backdoor flush draw. Check-b60-fold.
Good start.
Made a medium-big fold with QJo BTN vs BB on QT4K after he check-raised flop and blasted turn.
Then raise-folded twice to 3bs with KQo and KTo and flatted A9s vs an early open and folded after whiffing the flop and down to 96k (120bb)
Biggest pot of the day vs an aggro french guy.
I opened KQs UTG9 to 1800, he 3b to 5500 UTG7, I called.
AT4r flop and I had the backdoor flush draw. Check-b25-call.
7 turn bringing my backdoor flush draw. Check-check.
Ten river completing the flush and pairing the board. I bet 3k into 20k, he got very excited breathing heavy then raised to 33k.
I went deep into the tank and ended up making the call. He had QTs and I dragged a big one.
On break with 165k.
Just made a painful fold.
Opened A5s UTG9, HJ and BB called.
T85tt and I had the nut flush draw. Bet 3k into 8500, HJ fold, BB call.
Turn 9x and BB snap-jams for 33k into 14k. I pissed and moaned and folded face up. He showed me T9o for top 2. I had 14 outs but wasn’t getting the right price 😢
On break with 160k coming back to 600/1200. Level 7 was pretty quiet for me.
175k on dinner break. Another quiet level. I have bigger stacks on my left and right now though. Probably going to be some fireworks the next 2 levels.
The guy to my left is wearing a MAGA hat on top of a red ski mask with sunglasses. He showed up with like 300k and is down to 150k now.
Chipping up a bit without any big confrontations. 227k
MAGA guy is down to 50k now. This is a trainwreck.
There’s a new guy at my table who is tank-folding preflop 😡😡😡
202k on the last break of Day 2 coming back to 1k/2k
On a downswing now. 164k
I back-called a BB squeeze from MAGA guy with 77 in the SB and gave up on an ace high flop. Feels like a mistake. Should have just folded to the squeeze. He only started with 50bb. Pretty optimistic by me hoping to flop a set and get all in to make it an 8 to 1 payoff.
Just lost a big flip AKo < QQ and down to 122k
Lost another big pot and down to 100k.
Called a BB sqz on the BTN with KQo and folded to a bet on 852r.
I think that’s a good line. KQo feels like too high in my button open range to fold to a 3b. Against a squeeze maybe it’s a fold, not sure. The 3-better had been 3-betting a lot though too.
On the flop I’m guessing it’s a fold but I’ll check later.
Survived to Day 3 but it was a pretty disastrous last level. I’ll have 44bb for level 11 on Tuesday.
Wow my 77 hand where I called SB vs HJ and then called the BB squeeze after HJ folded and checked it down on an ace high board is actually a solver line. Solver mixes calls and folds vs the squeeze but my line is solver-approved. I thought I made a mistake on that one. Solver is mixing jams on the end which I do like better than my passive line and might have worked.
The other big pot I lost late in the night I wasn't sure about is a good line too. I opened button, SB called, and I called a BB squeeze with KQo. It's a good hand to 4b jam there around 50bb but depending on exact stacks and remaining field it's usually not going to be a pure jam and I was randomizing to the passive line. It's never a fold though. So call preflop and fold after I whiff the flop is totally fine. I think no big mistakes at all yesterday. Just a shitty Level 10.
Actually NM I think given ICM 77 should mostly fold to the BB squeeze. So yeah let's call that one a mistake.
WSOP Main Event Day 2
Ran it up all day then a really bad level 10 and I bagged pretty much what I started with 106k
WSOP Day 42
Not feeling great about my stack in the main but I think I’ve played to like 90% of my ability so happy with that and hey I’m still alive for Day 3.
As for today I’m taking it pretty easy but still late regged the $300 daily at my hotel. It’s a much smaller field than I’ve been playing all summer - only 89 entries here on the last level of late reg. The world series is dying down and the degens are crawling back home. But not me!
Who knows maybe I’ll encounter some ICM spots that I can study and will find useful tomorrow in the main.
1 bullet MGM $300 daily
- Late regged and didn't get anywhere
WSOP Day 43
It’s Day 3 of the WSOP Main Event. 3600 players left, 1517 paid. Last year the bubble burst the first level of Day 4 and I expect that will be the same this year.
I have 111k at 1500/2500, avg will be around 180k to start the day.
Pretty good table draw. One French pro but he’s to my direct right. The rest of the table doesn’t look too scary.
I guess there’s a British online crusher and an elderly high stakes reg “Z” at my table too who probably know a thing or two about poker. There are at least a few soft spots at the table though.
Just min-raised AA and everyone folded 😢
Steve Zolotow busted and was replaced by Matt Waxman
Just got a sick bluff through and then showed it like a donkey. Oops.
97s HJ vs SB
AK6r with the backdoor flush draw. Check-b33-call
3x turn completing the rainbow. Check-b80-call
9x river. He checked and I went into the tank trying to decide if I had a good hand to bluff with. I think it is. Unblocks all the broadway hands I want him to have that would fold to a bet like KJ/KQ. Blocks 99 although probably not relevant.
I announced “this would be a really nitty checkback.” He says “Ace-jack? Ace-ten?”
I go back into the tank and end up betting 30k into 75k. He tank-folded and I snap-showed the bluff.
170k on the first break coming back to 1500/3000.
Feel dumb about showing that bluff. It’s actually a pretty tough table and I shouldn’t be giving away free information.
I feel pretty good about adding 65% to my stack though 🙂
Got AA again and 3b BB vs BTN who had a big stack. He folded 😢
At least they’re not getting cracked
Opened 88 HJ. CO 3b, Waxman cold-called BTN, I called.
3-better had a small suited ace, Waxman had AKo. Ace high flop 🙄
I just folded the flop.
6 pros at the table now. Pretty shit table.
Won a big pot defending BB with A5o and smashing a flop of A55. Check-called 2 streets then check-raised river and he folded.
Then lost 2 pots to close out the level and on break with 207k coming back to 2k/4k
Level 13 after the break and pretty sure that’s the level I busted on the last two main events that I played. If I make it to dinner break it will be the deepest I’ve ever gone in the main.
Made it to dinner but I’m down to 160k coming back to 3k/5k. 32bb for level 14
Got a KO right after dinner for almost a full double.
Squeezed QQ vs HJ + CO. HJ folded, CO called.
Queen high flop. The rest pretty academic. I guess I slow played it. We got it in on the river.
Up to 300k (60bb)
Just lost a heartbreaker and down to 257k.
Flatted KJo BTN vs UTG8, BB overcalled.
King high flop, blah blah blah, river ace and he won with AQo. I checked back turn for pot control and got punished.
Biggest cooler of my life probably.
Got it in AsAx vs KQo on KJ8 all spades.
Turn 8 and he was dead to 2 outs.
River king and instead of 500k I’m down to 48k on break coming back to 3k/6k.
Oof. Reeling.
And immediately a new biggest cooler. JJ < 77. 7 on the river.
And that’s how my Main Event ends. Back to back 2-outers on the river.
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