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...

Last night was the $120.00 NL Holdem Deepstack event at the Bike. At such a great price 732 of the areas poker players showed up to play.

I ran good for the first 6 levels and went card dead for the next two losing about 5k in blinds and antes.

I laid down JJ one hand after a short stack went all in and another player re-raised. This guy was a solid player so I actually figured him for Aces. He turned over pocket 4's against the other players 10-7 diamonds and when a 7 hit the river the short stack doubled up.

Several at the table were upset he played those fours like that. They wanted the short stack gone because of the amount of people in the tourney.

So with KJ hearts on the button I raised a third of my stack and this very aggressive guy goes all in to protect his blind. I called hoping for some luck and he turned over A-10 off and his ace high ended up winning.

There were still about 250 people in the tourney and I had to try and get some chips or it would of been tough to compete.

I played well again and actually played a cash game after busting because it was pouring with rain. Made a nice profit of 150.00.

Deciding if I am going to play the $225.00 event tonite. I think if I do, I will be hiring a divorce attorney tomorrow!!!!!

Again, Happy Thanksgiving all...............Be Safe......Take Care.............

This is how it went down ......blinds 25-50...I have AA with two limpers at 150 each....I raise 600.......call....call.....flop,,,10c-9c-2d...first caller 500.....second caller 500.....me .....1600......fold.......call......turn 4s.......ALL-In....I think he missed his flush or has ...QQ.....I call........He tables 44 for a set ..river 2s........bye bye.....

My dreams the night before shattered...There were close to 250 players I think the final count came to 237 players, but I was told there were over 300 I didn't really pay attention as I was focused on my table..

I won my seat in a huge super, I have been playing satellites Great.....On to the next tournament when I save a few dollars....

The best thing about my day yesterday is Kelly Kim and I sat down and talked for close to two hours...Great Guy!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.............Take Care..Be Safe....