Day 2 Venetian Main Event

I went into day 2 with above average chips and a lot of confidence. The day started with me opening a ton of pots causing my stack to be in a constant state of flux. There were a couple tough spots, but overall I did not mind the table. I was moved to the easiest table in the room so I began to open up my game. Though the process was slow, I chipped up from 70K to 130K without much worries. As we were approaching the bubble, I knew I could do some real damage, but I was moved yet again. This time I was moved to the toughest table in the room. I was still able to chip up due to some timely bluffs. I was up to around 200K when the following hand came up. A super tight aggressive player raised from middle and I called from the SB with 96dd (I would fold AJ maybe AQ), and Cantu called from the big. The board was 8c7d3c giving me an open ended draw and a backdoor flush draw. We checked to him and he bet 20K (90%pot). I called and Cantu mucked. I was pretty sure he had an overpair and was hoping to catch the nuts or a good scare card on the turn. The turn was a 8s. It wasnt the best scare card, but I thought I could led out and save having to make a decision when he bet pot. So I bet 29K. He quickly announce raise and made it 90K even. I was still sure he had an overpair, so pushing to represent the third 8 is possible, but with so many draws he could find the courage for a call. Folding is certainly an option, but I wanted to play a bit more high variance since I had a plane reservation the following morning. With a call I would leave myself with 95K, and since I was sure of his hand I was going to open rip if a club hit or if I make my hand. Thinking he has to call if a non club 5 or 10 hits and he has to fold if any club hits. I made the iffy call and I was rewarded with the 5d of the river. I knew he would check behind so I led all in. He started tanking and I was pissed. I was expecting the quick crying call. After about 2 minutes he found a fold. The pot pushed me to 350K and 3rd in chips in the tourny. After losing a few smallish pots I got in 280K with top two pair against Cantu's top pair and a flush draw. The river was his heart and I was down to 45K. After being fortunate to double up with AA vs A3 and again with AQ vs A7, and again with A7 vs KQ I was amongst the trees. Then the night fell apart. I took 77 vs two all in opponents one with Q8ss, and the other with A6hh. I was clean till the river when a Q hit. The pot was 450K and would have put back to 2nd in chips with 25 to go. Then I lost another huge flip with AJo vs 66 for 60% of my stack. Then the same guy finished me off with KK vs my same AJo. I got knocked out with 4 minutes left in the day meaning I could catch my flight, but 19th was very bitter for me. For the starting hands and the all in luck I had I was amazed how deep I made it. I feel like I was playing B+/A- poker, which I havent really played since the WSOP. I am looking foward to the Bellagio starting up.

Justin "robert07" Young