On my table was Dave Colclough, the current European Player of the Year and to my immediate left Howard Plant winner of the first event and a player who likes to see a lot of flops preferably with a raise.

At first I started well, Dave raised to 400 and with 4 callers I also called on the button with A5s KJo. Flop was K J 8 giving me top 2 pair. All checked to me and I bet 1500. Dave called. I assumed he had Aces with a straight draw or a wrap on the K J. Turn was another 8 - a bad card for me if Dave had Aces - he checked and so did I. River was a J making my full house and I was up to 8000.

Unfortunately, as was the case last night, I had few playable hands until I saw one I liked which after 2 limpers I called with 899T double suited. Round to Mickey Wernick - a consistent semi tight local player - who raised to 400 leaving himself about 1600. All passed to Howard who flat called. I knew if I re-raised Mickey would only call with strong Aces and as I had 9000 in chips I decided this was a stronger play than calling. I re-raised the pot and Mickey passed but Howard called for 1900. The flop was K 8 3. Howard checked and I decided a bluff would work better on the turn and gave him a free card. The turn was a 2 and Howard checked again. I now bet 3000. Howard showed double suited Jacks and passed but it wasn't long before he got his revenge!

Just after the re-buys I had slightly over average chips with 9,400. Howard yet again limped in, he usually raised only if he had the button, I called the 400 with AAJ4 no suits and Dave in the BB checked. The flop came A 6 7 with two spades. Dave and Howard checked and I bet 1500 a little under the pot size. Dave re-raised 4500 all in, then Howard moved all in for 9,800. I had 7,400 left and had to assume Dave had a made hand, either the smaller set or two pair and therefore Howard must have had the double draw. The pot was now 17,400 and I was getting the right odds to call but knew I was going to have to get lucky to survive the draws if I was right. Still the chance to get over 24,000 in chips at this stage made it a simple decision and all my chips went in. Dave was virtually drawing dead with Aces and sixes, while Howard had committed all his chips with 4889, up and down with a small flush draw. I don't like his play as one of us could have had the same straight draw and his flush draw could have been dead to a higher one. Still luckily for Howard they were both live. The turn was great for me a red 2, but the river was perfect for Howard, the 5 of spades making his flush and an unnecessary straight.

Oh well now I have just one tournament left to score points in and in four previous attempts in Walsall playing the main event I have only made the second day once and never the final. Time to get a good nights sleep and hope the cards run better tomorrow.

ACES