1st in 6.5k!

I just finished first in the 11am $6.5k gtd. tourney on UB for $1,690. I am extremely excited about this and it was good to finally score a win instead of continuing the string of 2nd place finishes.

I'm not going to do a complete tourney recap, but I will say that I played quite knitty throughout the entire team and got hit with the deck a couple times early to get up to 18k at 75/150. I arrived at the FT like 4th of 9 and lost a big race with AK vs. QQ to dribble down to 30k at 1500/3000. I eventually shoved the button with AJ and got called by the SB's A2 and held to get above 100k 4-handed.

When we got down to 3, I had around 200k of the total 500k-ish chips in play. The other two were playing extremely aggressive which took me a little while to adjust appropriately. With the blinds at 4k/8k and the BB having like 50k in chips, I was dealt AJss in the SB. The button potted to 30k, and I started asking Grant what he thought. I had the button covered slightly but not by much. I didn't really want to call, so it was fold or jam. I opted to jam, and the button snap-called with AKdd, and the board ran out QQ8Jx to knock him out.

In retrospect, I think it was probably a fold, albeit a tight one. The button hadn't opened that many buttons, and I don't think he is stealing with air very much with the BB being so short and the pay jumps, etc. Grant wanted a fold, and I probably should have just folded, but idk I run good.

When we got HU, I had around 380k to my opponent's 60k. He doubled up with K3 vs. my 55, which I really didn't want to do. I feel confident in my HU game, but it is really tricky maneuvering when your opponent has between 10-15bb's. I never know what hands I should be shoving, raise/folding, raise/calling, etc. I should really look into this.

Anyway the HU match lasted a long time. At his peak, he had me down to about 150k, and I was just trying to slow the action down. But with the blinds at 6k/12k with 500k total chips in play, it wasn't that easy. I eventually doubled up when I min-raised AJo from the button, and he defended with 76o, and we got AI on a AA7 flop.

He then fought back and we were even again, and he even took the chiplead. I eventually went on a mini heater and grinded him down to 100k. He then shoved the button with A4, and I called with AQs and held for the win.

I feel very good about this, and every time during the tournament that I got slightly discouraged, I would just say positive things to myself and it seemed to help.

I am not quite sure what my plans are as far as online moneys goes. I know that for spring break, I am taking a trip to Arizona and Las Vegas, so this will definitely help.

This week won't be too bad. I have a debate on Tuesday and a presentation on Thursday but no other tests or quizzes.

That is all.

God bless,

JG