3 strikes and your out !

After my first 3 WSOP events, and no cashes, things were looking
a little bit sketchy, also considering 2 of them were on the expensive
side.

Tho lucky number 4, the 2k NL event ! I have managed to make it
to day 2, unfortunately short stacked on 14k with blinds on 1-2k.
The frustrating thing, being about 20 or 30 spots before the money,
I was cruising along with close to 60k (average less than 40), and although
I had an agressive player on my left, I wasnt getting into much trouble.

Then a key pot arose where I called a raise with KJs from the big blind.
The flop came q-j-9 and I called his smallish bet. The turn Q, went check
check, and on the river a blank, he thought about it and bet about 11k into
a 20k pot. I didnt think he had AQ, and AK was a possibility as was 10s,
I had ruled out a big pocket pair. So in the end i called and he turned over
9-9 for a full house. From there I got re-raised a few times, and ended
the day alive, with 125 left and with a WSOP cash.

Earlier in the day i got to play with hellmuth for a few hours. I managed
to beat him out of a few pots which got him talking, one hand i slow played
AA against him, although I didnt show. He got a bit annoyed as he usually
does, but he shook everyones hands, and now after being short
he has a ton of chips. I wouldnt mind a another match against him, I think I
have him worked out :)

I prolly would have been disapointed with my day if I had just been
on low stack all day, but to get some chips and some momentum, was
encouraging even if I couldnt maintain it. Day 2 kicks off in about 30mins
or so, with the same starting table and a need to push in early!