Back at day 2 for Caesar's Megastack Series, I checked out the chip count sheet for the remaining 27 players. I was in 25th spot with a meager $69,000 starting in the small blind, chip leader was at $616,000 at another table.

My table blew up from the get-go. First hand we saw AA dobling up, secnd hand we saw the same player crippled with 77 vs. QQ, 3rd hand he was out. The player in seat 8 suggested a bet on how many players we would have left in the tourney by the end of the ccurrent level with 43 minutes remaining, and I took the over 16, he took the under. I joked about slowing down the action, but when he pushed in the 6th hand and I looked down on American Airlines I saw no need to take it easy, and it got even better when a 3rd short stack pushed with us - and my aces held up!! From zero to hero, I was now at $215,000 and cruisin'!

A few minutes later we redrew for the final 20 players and I was seated at a chip heavy table with three guys bigger than myself, among them the chip leader. The atmosphere was great, a lot of laughs as players were squatted left and right. I took out a young Swede with a short stack, which boosted me to $320,000 taking third position at the table. "Roethlisberger" in seat 6 and "Donkey" in seat 3 were bigger with $600,000+ and $500,000+.

Blinds now $8,000-16,000, ante $2,000. $40,000 in the pot to begin with. We were now guaranteed $1,218 in payout, but no really incline in prizes before top 5, which meant there was no reason to fold your way to the Final Table, a lot of pushing and gambling was bound to happen.

Now "Donkey" in 2nd position raises to $44,000, everybody folds to me in the SB, I am holding

 

My stack is at $302,000, I re-raise to $150,000, basically telling "Donkey" I am pot comitted. He shoves and I call, a little bit surprised to see him flipping over

 

It was either the chip lead or the heavy walk to the cashier, so I can't say I am entirely unhappy about the scenario, however the board gave me no help and I walked away in 15th place.

I might not be the gambler he is, and maybe he would only have folded to an all-in from me. I might have over-estimated his observation skills, but I know he was keeping a keen eye on my stack, we had talked about it he and I at the break. Now I am frustrated over losing the hand this way, and maybe I should have shoved instead of getting cute and require more finesse from my opponent, but I seriously thought he would get the hint and be able to fold a small or medium pair, after all 9's are really not that good a hand when you know you will be playing for $300,000+ instead of just taking the blinds and antes.

something to think about....

WSOP Event #54 update - chip counts after level 4

4 Guana Guys and Diego Quesada playing today - and they are doing relatively well, with one exception: Jeff got his aces cracked by KQ - 2 pairs on the flop completed by a king on the river to fill up.

Julian took most of Mark Seif's chips and is now at $11,000, Tyler is at average $7,000, Mike at a nice $17,000 and Diego just around $10,000. I'll get a new update after the dinner break.