borgata main event

Well, unfortunately I did not get to play in the Borgata Main Event. I paid for my entry fee online. I thought I was paying for the entire entry but they only charged my account $300 (the tournament was 9700+300). When I called to ask why that was, I was told that only the preentry was charged, and I would pay the rest when I got to the casino. I apparently did not ask the right question because I was left to believe that I would merely have to present my credit card, when I actually had to supply cash. At no point was the word "cash" stated. Obviously, I did not bring $9700 since I was under the impression I did not need it. I found out Saturday evening after going to the Full Tilt dinner with my brother. I found out and considered my options over night.

I woke up at 8 on Sunday and called my bank (Key Bank - not for long). I would call them several times. No one on their hotline woudl transfer me to a supervisor. I was told that the limit for cash advances on my card was enough to cover the buy in, yet it would not permit the transaction. The best they could come up with was that I attempted to withdraw the money in the casino, despite the fact that it was a third party transaction. Apparently Key Bank doesn't approve of such activities. They're cool with me putting my money in however I want, but when it comes to taking it out - oooh, they're gonna only let me do it for particular things. Key Bank has lost a customer.

I'll be playing in the $500 tomorrow so that we get the room rate (and so that I get at least some action). I sweat my brother for a while today - he was up to T40k at the dinner break (25k start) after doubling up on a LAG donator. Unfortunately, since I had trouble sleeping last night (the people across the hall were not permitted to stay in the hotel overnight), was up quite early, and stressed for most of the morning, I'm freaking EXHAUSTED. In many ways, I think it's just as well that I didn't get in the tournament. I can't imagine I'd be on top of my game. I told Kevin I'd either be at 100k by dinner or out. I'd have a strong, strong right arm. Hopefully I'll get an excellent night's rest and be able to be on top of my game tomorrow. Winning it will certainly be good for a strong five digit payday. It would be a nice reward for a stressful couple of days.

Update on my brother - he busted not long after dinner. He doubled up a player for half his stack on the KQT flop - Matt had KK, other guy had AJ. That's gonna happen. Then he made a rash play in a 3 way pot with red jacks. He had about 19.5k to start the hand at 100/400/800, and raised to 2500, getting two calls, one from the player he doubled, one from the big. The flop came QT4, with two spades. Matt, with about 17000 left in his stack, tries to figure out what to do. He wanted to bet to take the pot, but was worried about getting called and outplayed by a variety of hands. Ultimately, he decided to move in. The player in position thought for a long time and called. The big blind instantly pushed, and the caller HAD to put in the few more chips that were needed. The caller had KQ, the instapush had 44. Matt was drawing to two outs and couldn't hit.

He played well from the sounds of it. He had two hands in about 10 hours of poker that he feels he misplayed, which isn't bad - but both hands cost him. That's the nature of these big tournaments. If you misplay a hand you have to get lucky - either someone has to fold or you've got to hit a card. Matt didn't have that happen for him today.