For the second year in a row, I took some vacation time during the summer and missed out on part of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. In 2022, I stepped away to be a contestant on Season 9 of Survival Challenge which I wrote about in-depth here and this summer I returned, albeit as a volunteer to help hold the game for a whole new crop of players. <\/p>\n
While there for a week, some of the other volunteers wanted to hold a home game, and being well aware of my position in poker, along with my 2013 WSOP gold bracelet win, they were keen for me to play. <\/p>\n
The stakes may have been low we played $0.25\/$0.50 no-limit holdem and most everyone bought in for $20 but it was one of my favorite poker-playing experiences of the year. Among those who played were a pair of young fellas playing for their first time in Bentley and Jude; Survival Challenge alum Bryce Fosdick; the May family (Michelle, Tim and their son Luke), and my SC Season 9 fellow contestant Michael Allbright. <\/p>\n
Here are a few standout moments and hands from that game. <\/p>\n
Why Did I Miss the 2022 WSOP Main Event? Survival Challenge Season 9 <\/p>\n
One of the players to take a seat in the game was Chris ONeill, who played Season 8 of Survival Challenge the summer before me. Id learned earlier in the day that Chris had a little poker experience and was a fan of GGPoker Ambassador Kevin Martin. <\/p>\n
In one hand, I put in a raise to $1.25 after looking down at the 44 and Jason Flick, who helps run the challenges at Survival Challenge, raised all in for around $3. Another player called and then Chris opted for a small three-bet to $5 from the big blind. I just called, as did the other player, and there were three active players for the side pot while Jason had an opportunity to quadruple up in the main pot. <\/p>\n
The flop fell 3x3x5x and I was feeling pretty good, especially after Chris checked. I bet $3, the other player folded, and then Chris sprung to life with an all-in check-raise to around $10. It wasnt that much more to me and I was getting decent pot odds, but I couldnt fathom that I was ahead. <\/p>\n
What would he check-jam with that I beat? Maybe a straight draw, but they again I held two of the fours in my hand, so the chances of that were less likely. He could easily have either a three or five in his hand, such as an ace-three or ace-five, as well as any sort of overpair. I contemplated making the call hoping to either hit a four or hit runner-runner (there were a lot of turn cards that would allow me to pick up some equity), but ultimately, I decided to save the money as I just didnt think there was any way I was ahead. <\/p>\n
Well, I was wrong as Chris tabled Kx8x for a stone-cold bluff! Whats more, he was actually ahead of Jason, who had been all in preflop with Qx9x. Fortunately for Jason, a queen spiked on the river and he won the main pot, while Chris still made a bit by claiming the side pot. <\/p>\n
Had I found a call, I wouldve won a sizeable side pot and felted Chris, but instead he left me shaking my head with no recourse but to tip my cap to him. Hes got some skills. <\/p>\n
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Ian Szechowycz was the host of the home game, and hes actually a bit of a poker aficionado, even playing in casinos in Iowa and Illinois. It became clear early on that aside from me, he was the most experienced player at the table. In fact, I was so impressed that I told Ian he needs to make his way to Vegas to try his hand at the WSOP as hes got the talent to compete. <\/p>\n
Ian made it clear from the get-go that he was keen to beat me in a big pot, and he ultimately got his wish, though he had to get lucky to do so! <\/p>\n
It happened when I looked down at pocket aces and put in a raise to $1.50. There were some callers, including Ian, before Luke May reraised to $4. I then made it $8 to go and Ian put in a call. Luke did the same and it was three-way action to the flop, which I dont recall offhand. I do know that action checked to me and I continued for $6, which only Ian called. <\/p>\n
The turn wasnt too scary and Ian checked. I decided to put him to the test by moving all in and he thought long and hard about what to do. Apparently, I had the best hand, but there were several draws on the board. He decided to call off his last $12 or so with an open-ended straight draw, and much to my dismay, he hit it on the river! <\/p>\n
Ian got his wish by cracking my aces and beating me in a big pot, but rest assured Ill never let him forget he had to get lucky to do it! <\/p>\n
It was an up-and-down experience, but in the end, I was able to show off my poker chops by nearly tripling my buy-in. More importantly, plans are already in the works for another game next summer, so it seems a new annual home game tradition was born! <\/p>\n
Executive Editor US, PokerNews Podcast co-host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner. <\/p>\n
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Brutally Bluffed and Cracked Aces in the Inaugural Survival ... - PokerNews.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For the second year in a row, I took some vacation time during the summer and missed out on part of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. In 2022, I stepped away to be a contestant on Season 9 of Survival Challenge which I wrote about in-depth here and this summer I returned, albeit as a volunteer to help hold the game for a whole new crop of players. Continue reading