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Kat Arnsby
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#BloggersBubble

The atmosphere is electric as the tournament officials stand like sentinels between the tables to watch the bubble hands here at the Battle Of Malta Main Event. .

 

Nearly every table has completed the fifth hand on the money bubble, with blinds at 3000/6000/600. There is still action on table 4 and the tension at the table is unbearable.

Joe Bloggs, an unknown amateur, all the way from Cardiff, raises to 14k, and action passes to Whiz Kid, a online professional who 3bets him to 32k from the button. Bloggs has The Kid covered, but only just, with Bloggs at 150k and The Kid at 122k, this is a pivotal hand for both players, neither of them are safe.

 

Bloggs tanks for about 3 minutes, and eventually The Kid calls the clock on him. Is this a pressure move on a less experienced player? It's hard to say, a clock call is rare at this stage of the game, but 3minutes is a long time...

Bloggs finally calls.

 

Flop – Ac 8h 9s.

 

Bloggs quickly checks and now it's The Kid's turn to tank. The tourney officials are getting a bit ratty as other players leave their seats and crowd round table 4. The excitement is palpable as play has been so slow for the last hour, and now there is the smell of money in the air.

 

Bloggs stares at The Kid, and he stares back silently. Then he uses his right hand to slowly count out 35k and push it smoothly across the action line. The dealer hasn't even had time to count the bet before Bloggs almost shouts “I'M ALL IN!” and clumsily shunts his stack.

The Kid freezes.

For the first time in this hand, I can see the mark of stress on The Kid. He puts his hands under his hood and massages his temples. He looks up at Bloggs who is standing up. Bloggs looks nervous, and there is a thin bead of sweat forming on his forehead.
At any other time of the tournament, I might think he was bluffing, but as any player knows, if you're all in on the flop on the money bubble, even the current nuts doesn't feel safe!

 

The Kid starts nodding before he speaks, and then announces, “I call.”

 

Bloggs- Ad 10h

The Kid- 8c 9c

 

Board – Ac 8h 9s

 

Bloggs is obviously devastated; if you recall from yesterday's coverage, this is his first live event, and he has satellited into this tourney for $50. He doesn't so much sit down as collapse into his chair.

It's easy to see how much poker The Kid has played, because he doesn't look at all relaxed, and I expect he won't until the pot is in his hands and the cash is in his pocket.

As the dealer sorts the pot, the spectators murmur comments about the hand, neither Bloggs or The Kid notice, as they both remain motionless, Bloggs staring at the floor and The Kid staring at the flop.

 

Turn- 7c

 

There is noise from the spectators and Bloggs raises his head, The Kid gulps. Bloggs has maintained the 30% equity he had on the flop by turning an up and down straight-draw, although The Kid now also has a flush draw.

The Kid's composure finally breaks, and he stands up quickly, like his legs suddenly had too much energy in them.

The dealer is told to deal the river and there is a collective intake of breath, this card could mean that everyone here is now £4k better off.

 

River- 7h

Winning hand: Joe Bloggs- Two pair: Aces and Sevens

 

The Kid drops his head, and there is a roar from the crowd. Bloggs looks totally shocked, and The Kid has to tap him on the shoulder to get his attention to shake his hand.

Bloggs shakes his opponent's hand, and The Kid is slapped on the back and told how unlucky he was. As the tournament officials try to wrangle overexcited players back into seats and announce the end of hand for hand play, I watch The Kid as he wanders towards the bar and sits forlornly, looking back at the card tables. I guess it doesn't matter how much poker one plays, a beat on the bubble is will always be unbearably painful.

Every seated player is now a Battle Of Malta Main Event cashing player: CONGRATULATIONS, one of you is one step closer to being the champion!

Great entry Kat!

Thanks Skilful! I also liked yours x

Yes, nice entry!

And welcome on RKH!

If you have any question, do not hesitate to ask @Ina Rkh or myself

Cheers Remi, will do! x

 

Loved your submission, Kat! Think you'll be equally inspired by the next 'written assignment' :) It's coming right up so stay tuned! 
Meanwhile, maybe you can share some articles from your site?.. PLEASE?... :)

Cheers Annie,
I am so mad busy, which is always nice! I will have a proper look around the site, I'm always looking to share good stuff.
I like what I've seen of RankingHero so far, although I'm confused as to how all the distinctions work etc. I'm sure I'll work it out.