Yesterday I was playing in a poker tournament at the Borgata which started at 11AM. I had $4,000 left and had to make a decision wether to play A-4 under the gun when I looked up to see another guy at the other table (two tables left) go all in. I figured if he went out I would make the final table of 10 even though the tournament only paid 9. Usually, each the player chips in $10 for the "bubble boy". Any way, I folded my hand and the other guy goes out and I make the final table. I was unlucky enough to become the big blind at the final table. So I have $4,000. The antes are $2,000 and I put the other $2,000 up for what was supposed to be an $8,000 big blind. I forgot to mention that I stayed at the table while the others took a 5 minute break. I figured I would be out soon anyway so why bother. By this time it is now about 4:00 PM. I have my business partner calling me about work and my wife calling me to go shopping. I can't answer the phone in the Borgota because it won't work there. I figure I'll be out soon so I will call them then.
When the first hand starts the guy next to me, under the gun, bets $20,000 and I know now that I will be headed home. There is one other caller and I know it's over for me. When all the cards are out I expose my cards, which I had not looked at until now. First is a J and the second is a 6 to go with the two 6's on the board. I win the hand and now have $26,000. The next hand I go all in with Q10 and pick up another $30,000. The next hand I get pocket 88's and pick up another $32,000 in blinds and antes. I now have $88,000. Long story short I finish in 3rd place. If I hadn't been so anxious to return the phone calls from my business partner and wife and hadn't had to go to the bathroom so badly and it wasn't now 6 hours and 30 minutes into the tournament, I probably would have played more intelligently and not have gone all in with pocket 88's and over $200,000 in chips. Moral of the story...... I don't know, but it sure was exciting. I LOVE THIS GAME.