WSOP Day 1 - Jon Kalmar

WSOP Day 1 - Jon Kalmar

3rd June 2009

Back in January when I was running well, I took advantage of the Virgin Atlantic sale. I got a return upper class trip to Vegas for a bargain price. Admittedly, had I been booking the flight in recent weeks I’d have been flying a transatlantic equivalent of Queasy jet, (shudder).

Things could not have started better. Bev Pace (cbass) gave me a lift to Gatwick and the M25 was amazingly clear. Check-in was a doddle. I got to the Virgin lounge and it was truly amazing. Free fry up, massage and haircut then it was time to jump on the plane.

By far the best service and comfiest seats I have ever had the pleasure to experience on a plane. Slept for a large chunk of it and arrived refreshed and ready to go. I was feeling good.

Due to my play on the evil tables this time last year I found an offer for 5 free nights at the Rio (no strings attached by the looks of things). While checking in I asked for an extra night. They said if I wanted to check in via the VIP room I would no doubt get that comped too. Hmmmmmmm I don’t need temptation I will just pay for it.

I went to the Amazon room to play some cash, card dead was not the word. In 3 hours I saw AK once and pocket 3’s. Still it’s hard to lose much when you’re sitting out. I quit 150 bucks down and wandered over to the Bellagio. I pick up kings early on and when the flop comes 2 3 5 all hearts (me holding the king of hearts) it wasn’t hard to call an all in of 300 bucks. A 2 on the turn meant his pocket 3’s were plenty despite making my flush on the river. Things went from bad to worse and the usual 2 and 4 outers continued through the evening. Then the tilt monster struck. I raised with pocket 10’s to $70, and was re-raised to $270. I call. The flop comes 8 high and my opponent bets 300. I push for 1200 which he quickly calls. His aces were plenty and I refused to buy back in.

I lie in bed pondering why I even wanted to see the flop.

I am currently writing this toying with playing the $2000 NL at the Rio. I am leaving it till last minute to buy in. If I miss it I will play cash, if I make it in time maybe I was destined to play.

One thing that did go right tho. I never so much but put a dollar in a poker machine or was tempted by a beer…Ok I was a little tempted.