Well I can only brag I outlasted 50 of the top players in the world. I played hard, I played well and I am amazingly allright with today. I ran my chips up to 150,000 but then got incredibly unlucky on a couple of key hands. One was A J on a J 8 7 board, turn an Ace and the river a blank, guy had a set and I lost the minimum. Then I turned a straight against top two and pushed hard to protect the nuts, he called and the board paired on the river … it happens.

I am grateful for the experience, played well today (unlike yesterday) and just got unlucky. I am okay with the ups and downs of the game as long as I did my best. I did my best.

Well, what a roller coaster, but maybe that isn’t right as roller coaster would indicate going up on occasion. We started with 100k in chips, my high was 107k but my finish was 61k. What can I say, had a rough day, got rivered more than once and didn’t play my A game. Had Justin Young, Carlos Mortenson and Eric Seidel all at my table. Someone in the hallway was complaining about their tough table draw and I had to laugh to myself …. they’re all tough at this level. I have more than enough to stage a comeback and that is my plan tomorrow. For now, sleep …

I’ve never played one of the Bellagio big events in the past as felt like I needed to win my way in. Done a few megas but no avail. In December I bubbled the mega for their $15k event having played a hand I didn’t have to play … my bad and I kicked myself for a long time.

Decided to give myself one chance for their big event which starts today, the $25k. Put up $2500, started at noon, one in 10 players gets a seat. 117 players. The play was hard, the hours laborious (12), the players were really really tough – some of the best in the world but at 11:30 p.m. last night I got my seat. Start today at noon .. wish me luck.

Been playing the Bellagio with a modicum of success. Won a single table satellite to play the event the other day but have been in a run of space since then it seems. It will pass, it always does but rather weird right now. Although I hate rebuy tourneys played yesterdays for $1k, just a day of have high cards and board is low and have low cards and the board is high. Finally had K J of hearts and the board runs low giving someone a straight. Returned today for the $500 event and couldn’t get any traction, had three pairs in four hours, 10s and raised, they folded, fours and the board is 3 3 2 and a guy bets and I re raise him. He says, hmmm, I think I’m good here with my deuce but finally shows, I say “Sir there isn’t much my hand can beat but that board is amazingly perfect and show the 44 and the table laughed. Then I had QQ, raise, get reraised and we got it all in only to run into AA, happens, will see what tomorrow brings. These “runs” always pass and as usual it can’t be soon enough.

On a side note, had a gentleman who came up to the table yesterday and apologized for the bad behaviour of the other men at the final table on Sunday. I thanked him as it was gracious indeed. After he left the table asked me what had happened and I said “just your below average group of Neanderthals”. They laughed.

Well today was interesting but I’m out in 7th. In four hours of play two players were taken out, both by me. The deciding hand was one of Jacks where I raise pre flop and had one caller – a guy who was drinking throughout the whole thing. Flop is 10 9 8, I have a pair over the board and I’m open ended, I bet he raises and I push …. he has a set. The turn is another club giving me a four flusher and a million more outs but the board paired on the river giving him a boat. It’s the way it goes and I’m proud of my play. Another one tomorrow.

Made the final table of the Bellagio $1k yesterday and we are down to the final 9. 61 started … return at 1 p.m. today. Wish me luck …. will keep you posted.