“Look. If you had one shot, or one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted, in one moment, would you cap
TJ Eckleburg124th and final break of the night, before 1 more level, then bag.
I have 185k, average is just over 133k. It was a good level for me.
That huge hand. Folds to button, who’s the guy I said I was building history with. He minraises to 3k, as he’d been doing with a wide range (including showing down 94s), I defend my BB with A8o.
Flop comes A-K-2, two hearts. I check, he continues for 5k, and I call. Turn is an offsuit 3, I check again, now he bets 12k.
I remembered a similar hand from a couple hours ago, where I x/c flop, but folded to a bigger turn barrel.
I think I’ve deduced that HE thinks I don’t want to call off big portions of my stack with marginal holdings. And he’d be correct. But I think I’m ahead, so I call.
River is a J, I check, now he moves me in, for 38.5k.
I’m hating life. Sure his range is wide, but it absolutely includes 54, QT, or who knows how many junk two pairs. To say nothing of his monsters, that might include something like KK. No sizing tell from preflop, he was minraising everything, including his premiums.
I think some more. It’ll be a loooooong flight home if I busted out of my first main event ever, by triple check calling off my tournament life, with A8o.
But I think he knows that too.
Think of all my investors. They trusted me. I’m a steward for their money.
The clock gets called on me.
I think about 10 more seconds. I decide that I’m making a read. It’s based on history, and observation. He’s sooooo wide here, and he’s shown down bluffs before.
Somewhat angrily, I stick it in there. He says you have to be good, and turns up J8s, without a flush draw.
PHEWWWWWW.
I really want a cigarette after that hand. But I quit 8 months ago....
TJ Eckleburg12Triple check called off my tournament life with a bluff catcher.
Made a BIG read.
…And was right.
130k now....
rppokerSorry for the ultimate conclusion, congratulations on taking your shot and making a real run, thank you for taking us along for the ride.
While I am sure that the disappointment is too recent and the pain is still too raw, I hope you. eventually are able to recognize ...
... I have never seen LVL so energized and engaged in someone's tournament run as it was in your 2025 Main Event.
... people really cared about how you did. I think this is a reflection of the respect LVL has for you. I think this is a reflection of your popularity on LVL. I think this is a reflection of how generous you are in contributing to other people's trip reports.
... you were not alone on this journey. You have built up a ton of friendship and goodwill, and that came through on the virtual rail that was your 2025 WSOP Main Event....
