Orleans Main Event Part #2

Part 1 left off describing the last hand of registration at the Orleans Summer Series Main Event (catch up here) where I finished 5th out of 1650 players and won $35,000. I also made a commitment to go full Gus Hansen and record every single hand I played. At the bottom of this newsletter I’ll explain how you can get your copy! Let’s jump right back into the action.

I was dealt A8o and raised an early limper. I knew this was a chance to potentially double up, (or rebuy if I busted). The blinds both fold and the seemingly weak limper called. The flop came 8 high with two hearts. He led into me, using the exact size I had raised preflop. I thought “what hands lead here?” Probably not sets, and I don’t think he limped in with an overpair. Most likely he has a worse 8, worse pair, or a flush draw. I think it would be fine to make a small raise and string him along. But I had declared my intention to gamble, and I doubt this guy would now, or has ever, folded a flush draw… so I jammed. My third allin in three hands.

I wouldn’t have minded a call, but he just folded and we all went on break. Rebuy over, no second chances. But in only 15 minutes I had succeeded in my mission. Without a single showdown I built enough of a stack to compete and demonstrated that most players will reliably wilt when facing big bets.

Of course this is only the first part of my story. Over the next 24 hrs I had to play very well, get very lucky, and use all the knowledge I have accumulated over my poker career to outlast 1600 players and turn my $800 into $35,000. I was very aware that this isn’t even possible for most players. If you don’t have all these moves in your arsenal, and understanding of when to use them, you could play 100 tournaments like this and never make it as far as I did. I feel very grateful for having the ability to experience success that 90% of players can only dream of.

I also lucked out by choosing this tournament to record every hand from the start. Knowing I’d be revisiting each decision with my students kept me accountable and motivated me to push even the smallest edge and never shy from aggression (even when scary!).

Next week I want to talk about the emotional experience of 6 weeks in Vegas. I’ll detail the strategies I use at and away from the table to stay sane and finish strong (I was back at the Orleans mere days later to finish 4th of 187 in the BigO Championship).

In the meantime if any of you reading this would like access to my tournament hand history, and the opportunity to compare your decision making to my own, just reply to this email and I’ll get you a copy.

Thanks for reading!

Peter