Starting the day with second lowest stack from the remaining 45 - I am obviously hoping for a lot of luck. However, at the PPT at Commerce, Erick Lindgren was low chips and he went on to win it!

Starting with 600-1200 and 200 ante - my stack of 10,400 was only going to give me just a couple of rounds in which to find a hand. The first round came and went without joy. So imagine how pleased I was to see Q-Q by the tenth hand. Whatever happens - at least I have a hand to play. With 8,600, I decided to just make a small raise and hope for some winning action. Boy did I get action!

Gary Bush, a close friend of mine and sitting to my immediate left, makes a small re-raise with J-J. Gary at this stage is holding around 25,000. All now muck to Adam Schoenfeld who is on the BB. I actually went to dinner with Adam the previous night. Amongst other things, we chatted about nicknames. As Adam did not have one - I suggested to him that he would now be called the “Analyst”.

Anyhow, Adam has now gone into the think tank. Hmm, lets see how you analyze this! O.K, here is a little help Adam. You have two of the tightest players in the game making a raise and a re-raise from early position. You obviously have a hand here. But is it good enough? Is it A-K and you are wondering if it’s worth a gamble against two players? Because it is plainly obvious that at least one of them has a big pair? I suppose with A-K it’s worth a gamble. But your taking too much time Adam - your hand just cannot be good enough here.

Finally, Adam “The Analyst” Scofenfeld has makes a decision to re-raise. Gary here cannot muck for what he has left. He even knows that he has a better hand than Adam. He calls and we have a three way action pot. Q-Q v J-J v 8-8. I could not ask for more here. I just needed to get lucky. Flop T-7-6. Hmm, Adam has picked up a gut-shot. Turn was a big harmless Ace. Just the river. Noooooooooo - not the Nine. Nice hand Adam.

Adam was later busted by Doyle Brunson who called with T-9 against Adam’s Q-Q and made a straight on the river! See James? YOU ARE NOT ALONE - WE ALL SUFFER!

After another long, hard struggle we have our finalists. It should make interesting viewing.

Until next time - play well, get lucky and stop getting rivered!

Peter “The Poet” Costa