Scott Diamond

I have not been playing as much Poker this past week as I had been. I played last Tuesday in the $255.00 buy in event at the Hustler's Spring fever series.

In level 4 after building my stack up to 7500 chips by playing small pots and being aggressive in position, I finally got a pocket pair of 9's in the cutoff position.

The blinds were 300-150 and I raised to 1200 chips. I had been tight all night and the only other show down i had was AA vs KQ with a K on the flop. I only won about 1200 chips because the blinds were only 50-25 at the time.The rest of my chips came from being very creative.

I was called by the big blind and the flop came out 4h-9c-8h. I hit my set and I bet 1500 chips and the BB went all in. An aggressive player who had just come to the table about 10 minutes prior. I have played with him in the past and he is one of those players who hates giving up his blinds,no matter how big or small they are at the time.

I figured he was either open ended had a flush draw or was just down right Bluffing, because he went ALL-IN for about 5900 chips more. So I called and he had QJ of hearts. Well he didn't hit his flush as the 4c came on the turn but the 10c came on the river to give him a straight and I was on my way home again scratching my head and wondering what it's going to take for me to be able to win some races.

Anyway I took my loss graciously and did not let it discourage me as it use too. I logged onto Full Tilt and played a 54 person SNG for 26.00 and won $472.00..

The Stars and Stripes series started at the Bicycle Casino last night with a $100.00 buy in event. I stayed at home because we are having a party Saturday for my Son-In-Law who just returned from Iraq yesterday. Good news since President Bush stopped all troops from leaving Iraq until after August 1st, additionally it is my Wife's birthday Monday, so we are going to celebrate her 41st also.

I was going to Vegas on Tuesday to play the Venetian Deepstack Event but that may have to wait a week, so my next event will be Wednesday's $225.00 buy in at the Stars and Stripes. Hopefully it will not have 615 players as they had last night. I am sure Ron Kramer and Denny Williams had their hands full last night.

The rest away will be good and eventually I will start winning these races,I am sure of it.

Don't forget if you have any questions or stories e-mail me at krwisehand@sbcglobal.net.">pkrwisehand@sbcglobal.net.

Take care all...Be safe