The 2008 DPL Champion (myself), the 2009 DPL Champion (Keith), and four other DPL members entered satellite tournaments to attempt to get into the Heartland Poker Tour Main Event. Keith W., John B., David K., and myself played in the Wednesday morning 11:00am satellite that took 10 players, from the 101 player field, to the main event. I was the only DPL member to qualify through that satellite, as Keith W. went out near 42nd, John B. went out near 25th, and David K. went out in 13th.
Chad H. attempted to qualify through the Friday morning satellite and was unsuccessful as he was eliminated in about 50th. Gary B. was the only other DPL member that attempt to qualify and though he went out near 50th in the Thursday evening satellite, he was able to qualify for the main event in the last chance satellite on Friday evening, finishing in the top 37 spots, from the 184 player field.
The main event started on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 9:00am. The atmosphere was intense as your every play is critical because your chip stack means everything. The style and level of play is top notch, as many pots are taken down prior to even seeing a river card. Gary B. and myself started in similar paths, Gary was able to right his stack quicker than I, with a crucial rivered double-up. I had to wait a bit longer, but I was able to get my much needed double-up when I was dealt pocket Q's and went all-in. Another player called my all-in and before the cards were flipped, my heart was racing, knowing this could be the last hand I play in the main event. My opponent showed pocket 6's and when the flop revealled a Queen, I was able to relax and mount a charge.
Before long I looked toward my wife on the rail and noticed that Gary was out of the main event. He lost a close hand, and had he won he would have been one of the chip leaders at the moment. I continued my solid play and was able to outlast day 1 and make it to day 2 with 39 other players. They had to stop short of the 20 player goal because the tournament was behind schedule and there was another day flight yet to be played after us. Flight B finished at the same blind level and had 35 players remaining going to day 2.
When day 2 began with 75 players, I was just above chip average of 50,500 with 50,900. Though I was above chip average the blinds were 2,000 - 4,000 w/ 400 ante. Every 10 hands was going to cost every player 10,000. I raised in mid position with
and was re-raised all-in. After a count of my chips, I felt this was not a good time to risk it all, so I layed down the 9's. Shortly after the blinds went to 2,500 - 5,000 w/ 400 ante, I looked down at
suited and pushed my 27,000 chips in the middle. When a player in late position look at his hand and called immediately, I knew I was behind. My
was not able to beat the
and I was gone in 52nd place. 22 more spots would have earned me $2,300. Looking forward to the next chance in a big casino tournament.
