Scott Diamond

Today was the 1000.00 Nl event at the Bikes Legends Of Poker. I have been playing very well as of late and tonite was no exception.

I won a 120.00 satellite and chopped another Sunday night and I entered todays Event. This is the biggest buy in I have ever played with exception of The Seniors Event at the WSOP.

Early on I was up to 15,000 in chips as we started with 6,000 and 45 minute levels. I went card dead and could not make any moves and was down to 8200 when I was moved to another table. I picked up some blinds and antes to keep me right around 8200 when I was moved to another table.

The chip leader was to my right and he was raising every pot. I had 99 in the Small blind when he raised to 4200 chips and I went all in. He called with A9 and I doubled up as no Ace came.

Later I had 10-10 after he made a big raise and he called me with A6 and I am now at 36k. I get blinded down to 17,000 chips when I look at JJ and again the chip leader had raised. It was only 12,000 more for him to call and he did with 9-7clubs..The Flop 5-8-6 giving him a straight. Now we were on the bubble at the time. 272 players started todays event and only the top 27 were going to be paid. First place is 97,000.00 and 27th paid 1845.00. There were 28 players left and I was sick when he called me. I had been a thorn in his side all night and he said he was getting pot odds to call.

Well the turn was the 5diamonds and the river....5 of hearts to give me a Full House and keep me alive.

The next hand I have 55 and call his raise again and the flop was J-J-K he bet 4000 and I called the turn was a 4, I bet 4000 he raised to 8,000 and I called. the river was a Jack and he checked as I did with a full house and he folded.

So Ihave 60,000 and in the Small blind and we are re-seated and another big stack to my right raises to 12k when blinds are 3000-1500- and a 500 ante.

We are 11/12 hrs into this tournament and 25 people are left. I look down at pocket tens and only call his raise. The flop is Queen high and he bets 20k...This is where I make my mistake..I should of shoved here but I did not because I put him on A-10 or A-J.. The turn is a K and now I go all in and he calls with K-3 spades . What a mistake I made pre flop or even after the flop. I am still kicking my self as I leave with an $1845.00 payday when I could have been at the final table.

One lousy misstep tonite and I am really mad at myself.

There were some big name players there tonite. Vinny Vinh,Mark Seif, Max Pescatori, Tiffany Michelle, Men the Master Vince Burgio, Robert Turner, David Pham, John Pham, Crispin Leyser and his wonderful wife Jules and I outlasted all of them.

I am playing well and I am just going to have to shake this off..

Take care...be safe...