Just 4 weeks after the event in Melbourne, I rocked up at the Wantima Country Club to join my next live poker event, the “Zeus” at Empire Poker. I think that this was another big step for me to finally make a final table and have a bigger live cash. Finishing on rank 13 out of 78 entries feels for many people as a loss, since only the top 9 players were awarded; but for me, it was a big win!
The reason why I am writing this, is because I am very proud of the way I was playing the event. After almost 20 years without live tournament poker, I tested the waters again a few weeks ago and realized that I really like the different vibe at live events. I have played most tournaments in my life online, where you play many more hands per hour and also several tables at the same time. Playing online, you have to focus on the moment, be very patient, and most importantly, observe the table and the other players!
First levels: losing 25% of my stack
The first hands were a constant up and down: I was able to accumulate some chips, lost some, and then I limped with AQs and called a raise from mid position. The player had lost one hand against me previously and was obviously still a bit upset about it. After an ace showed up, I lead with a bet into the pot, and he re-raised.
On the turn, I called another bet; but in hindsight, I should have folded – which I did on the river, when a King had made his appearance. I was right in assessing the situation that he had me beat: he had AK for top two pairs. I continued losing with JJ and some random bluffs to enter the midgame section of the tournament with about 25% less than at the beginning, right before a longer break after about 3.5 hours of play.
Double-up with 55 as an underdog
An important turning point in this tournament was, when we returned to the tables with blinds around 2000 – 4000 and 4000 ante while I had around 70000 – 80000 chips. In theory, this would be 20 big blinds but from the event in Melbourne I had learnt that it was super important to rather look at my M which wa a mere 7.5!
I got pocket 55 in mid position and decided to push all-in after an early raiser. He did not hesitate for a second and called with TT. The same guy had shown the same hand a few minutes earlier, hitting another pair of tens for a nice “4 OAK” (four of a kind).
I made a joke and said, “let´s hope for quads of 5s this time!” My prayers were almost heard, and we saw another 5 in the flop. At least! The turn and river cards did not help the guy with TT, and so I doubled up! From then on, it was “my tournament!”
I applied pressure, where appropriate and created an image that the other players were starting to fear. I went all-in, where I felt weakness and clearly made better hands fold along the way. But the thing was that my stack grew bigger and bigger, and since many players did not want to get busted, they folded.
KJo in a multiway pot
A very important hand was KJo, after an early raiser; another player after me came along, as well as the small blind. The initial raiser checked after seeing the flop with KQx, so did I and the player behind me; however, SB made an attempt and raised. The initial raiser folded most likely a medium sized pair, but I called, and the person behind me as well.
The river card showed a rag, and I felt that SB was beat but I checked the river, when the person behind me made a huge pot-sized bet. I was somehow feeling that the story did not add up and by just looking at him I got the vibe that I should call here. I did, and he mucked! I technically did not even have to show my King for best pair!
I won a huge pot, and many people at the table were pretty impressed that I doubled up again with top pair and good kicker in this multiway pot. My confidence grew, and soon I had not only 300000 chips but more than 600000 and was one of the chipleaders at the tournament!
Needless to say that it felt really good, and after my first real live tournament money finish in Melbourne, I got closer and closer to reaching my very first final table!
Bust-out with TT and AKs!
With 13 players left (out of 78 entries), I got dealt TT. I raised UTG with blinds at 15000 – 30000 and ante 30000. This left me with 20BB and an M of about 8. I was re-raised by a player who went all-in and had half my stack, around 300000 chips and an M of 4. Clear enough, the range was broad here, and I had to call!
It was the same player who held TT against my set of 5s, and this time he had AKo. Of course, he hit an A AND a K. He doubled up while I lost half of my stack. The very next hand gave me Ace and King of Hearts! UTG announced all-in! And I did not hesitate a second, despite the fact that I had only seen QQ from her before.
Anyways, she had the very best starting hand this time, so it was a true uphill battle for me. The river card could have brought a split pot at the very best but it showed a 6 instead of the required 5 for a small straight, and so I busted as 13th – 4 spots away from the money!
I am a good tournament player!
After this event, I am even more than ever convinced that I am a good poker tournament player and can´t wait to show my skills again at the tables – most likely at the APL Poker Tour Gold Coast from May 11-17, 2026. Who knows, maybe this will be the tournament where I will reach my first final table?!;)
In the meantime, I will study Jonathan Little´s book “Secrets of Professional Tournament Poker: The Essential Guide” to become an even better player and make sure that I constantly improve and evolve as a player, so that I increase the probability for my first final table and a big money finish!