Scott Diamond

Saturday I decided to play in the Stars and Stripes $225.00 Multi-Rebuy NL Event at the Bicycle Casino at the last minute. I was on my way home and as I approached the 710 frwy southbound on the 10 frwy east,I took the exit towards the Bike.

I told myself I was not going to re-buy and I only had enough cash on me to pay the entry fee. I left my ATM card in my truck so I would not be tempted to change my mind if need be.

I went down to 400 chips early in the second level and at the break after the third level I worked my way up to 1150 in chips.

I had not seen a hand over 10-10 and I hit a few flops in position and as we came back from break and there were no more re-buys I knew being so short stack i was going to have to make some good reads and hope for some cards. There were only 99 players but there were 112 rebuys and add ons and I was probably the shortest stack in the room.

I literally did not see a pocket pair over JJ. the one hand that got me up to 7500 in chips was AQ hearts when I went all in preflop with 5 callers. I rivered a flush and it put me back in the ball game.

I hung in until there were 16 players left and I had 10,500 when this one player who was getting under everyone's skin with his loud mouth and raising every hand, raised under the gun to 1200 when the blinds were 1200-600. I was in the cutoff and had KJ and I went all in. he turned over 88 and I could not belive I picked the wrong spot again. However a J hit the flop and I doubled up and with the blinds and antes had 25,000 in chips. I had 87 clubs the next hand in the small blind when the blinds were 2000-1000 and 13 people left. The final 27 played some outstanding poker and only the final 9 were going to make the money tonight.I had blinded down to about 14,000 and with 5 limpers again it only cost me another 1000 to see a flop. A-7-7 and one guy called 4,000 and I went all in. he thought for quite awhile and folded AJ face up.If he would not of limped I would have folded and probably would have not made the final table.

The field decided to pay the top 10 and i went to the final table with only 11,500 in chips as the blinds were up to 3000-1500 with a 500 ante.

Again I had no hands to make a move and I busted out 7th for $1435.00 Not a bad profit for the evening,but I wish I could go to a final table and be able to do something. The guy who knocked me out 6th last month also made the final table but he busted 9th this time.

I played some of my best Poker against some very good players and was extremely happy to make another final table. I have made the money 4 times this year in quality tournaments and I hope my good fortune continues.

I want to wish my good friend, Jorge Pineda for winning last nights $335.00 NL event.

I am going to play the $335.00 tomorrow night. It has one re-buy and the field will not be more than 120 people. I need a quality showing and hopefully a win to have some extra money for this years WSOP.

I had to work this weekend and i hate to play when i am working,but I made it through a busy weekend and I will get a good sleep tonight as I am off the next three days.

Take care all and good luck to Nam and Allen Le Mike Grazc and Mark Seif along with Chad Brown who are all still in the 25k Bellagio WPT Event. Also Bryan Devonshire is fourth in chips after getting knocked down to about 10k earlier today.

Good Luck Fellas.........

take care. be safe