Scott Diamond

I went and played last nights event at the Bike. I know ,I know, I said I probably wouldn't but I bribed my kids and wife with tickets to the movie, "Bolt". I should have gone with them!

There were over 300 people who came to play and I didn't even look at the prize pool and pay outs. I was near the back of the room and at the break I went to get some juice.

I played extremely tight at first because I lost 2000 of my 4500 chips on a straight draw straight flush draw or any diamond on the turn or river gives me the nuts. I called because it was only 1000 more to make 4500 and bust a player out. Since it was a bounty tournament, I gave it a shot to get his $25.00 bounty, but the board didn't come through and I was short.

I gained about 1500 chips in two hands right before the break with KK and AA back to back. No one called me because I had only played 4 hands all night.

No limping with suited connectors and I literally had 9-2 6-3 2-4 on the button or inn the cutoff every time last night. So I just played solid and I knew the cards would have to change soon. I still had 4600 in chips and the blinds were 150-300 with a 50 ante.

The guy in seat one had some incredible luck all night and busted 3 players and his stack was starting to grow with big bets against limpers. Seat 3 this HUGE African American guy with a DEEP voice and a aggressive style was playing almost every hand and he busted 2 people. Seat two was Minh Nguyen a seasoned pro and seats 6 and 10 were established Players. I was in seat 7 at the ten handed table and I was focused and ready to play.

Big Stack raises to 1200 and it folds to me and I have Ks-Kh, I only have 4600 chips and I put in 2500 to let him know I had a hand. Seat 9 who I have never seen before goes, "All-In"..

Big stack goes, " Im going to fold, Diamond has a MONSTER"! I push my remaining chips in and seat 9 turns over Qd-Qc, big stack says he folded QJ of spades.The flop was all small but 3 clubs...I thought to myself, NOT AGAIN.......the turn was 10 h and the river was the 3c...

How many times has this happened to me the past two months. It is a sick feeling and it is tearing me up on how and when these highly unusual beats are going to stop. I sometimes wonder if they are done on purpose to get me to quit playing poker.

I keep getting my chips in with the best hands and I continue to make good reads, However with the Holidays here and finances now tight, I am going to have to wait awhile before I get to play.

Thanks for reading, I wish I could be more positive and upbeat, maybe someday soon.

HAPPY THANSGIVING.....Take Care...Be Safe...