WSOP Day 14 - Jon Kalmar

WSOP Day 14 - Jon Kalmar

16th June 2009

Today is the $1500 no limit and I’m sure my luck will turn. Things started badly and I was down to 2500 from 4500 by level 2. Peter Gould had joined the table. He was still in the 10k FL event and decided to play just to kill an hour or so before play started. He was playing like a maniac and scaring people off hands, handing out several beats. (Cracking AA with K3 springs to mind).

With the blinds at 50/100 there is a raise to 250 that is called by 4 players. I look down and see pocket 10’s and push all in. I get 1 call from pocket 8’s and when the board comes 5 4 2 5 k I double up. Soon after, I see AK of diamonds and raise to 300. The short-stack calling station calls and Peter Gould moves all in. I call as does the station. I am up against A5 from the station and A7 of Peter. The flop is A58 with 2 diamonds. “Gimme a diamond to finish it” I ask and the 10 of diamonds appears and I scoop the lot. I am now sitting tidy with around 14k.

Peter is on the big blind next and I know he will push his last 2k in regardless. I raise with KJ and everyone folds to him and he pushes in blind. I call and was not thrilled to see him flip pocket aces (What are the odds?). They hold up and again he pushes all in blind next hand and got no help with his 89 of spades against the AJ of his opponent.

Still with 12k I’m in great shape. I peel off a flop with 9 10 and am I up against the 2 blinds. The flop is Js 4c 6d rainbow. We all check. The turn comes a Q of spades and the small blind bets out 300 and we both call. The river is the K of clubs and I now hold the second nuts. It is checked to me and I bet 900. I get re-raised from the small blind to 2700. Now this guy was aggressive and the only hand beating me was A 10, a hand he would surely have raised with pre-flop. I cannot possibly be this unlucky again. I decide he may have made 2 pair on the river. The very most is the same hand as me 10 9. I push all in and he calls with his A 10 for the nuts. FFS.

The very next hand I get 88 and limp ready to push to a raise. None came instead the board came A Q Q. I had to fold to a bet on the turn even though it only came a 2. The very next hand after that I get QQ and again I limp looking for action. The guy to my immediate left raises to 525. Everyone folds and I push for another 2.5k. He calls and his AJ wins after flopping the ace.

I am really ready to scream. If anyone tells me to stay positive I may swing for them.

One thing I have learnt today is never ever, EVER think your luck is ready to turn, you could be very disappointed.

Jeff Kimber, Ross Boatman and John Duthie are currently playing their Finals at the Rio. I would normally hang around to watch but I just couldn’t get out of the place quick enough. I may go back later but due to the fact I am on antibiotics I couldn’t celebrate with a drink even if I wanted too. I do however wish them all the very best of luck and hope 2 more golds come back to Blighty with them.

Set Watch

Obviously another day without flopping a set

JJ - I raise and lose to AJ on an Ace 9 9 Q 2 board
44 – QK7Q7 I pass on the flop
TT – I double up but still no set
88 – As above AQQ2 I fold to a bet on the turn
QQ – Final hand against the mighty AJ. Sigh!