Sorry for taking so long to get back PKR Nation.

I found the whole Barcelona tournament a real eye opener and a fantastic place to stay too.


27 degree heat minimum but the Casino was very cool.


On arrival I see Greg Raymer, Patrick Antonius, Daniel Negraneu, Katja Thater, Joni Sointula, (the Fin with the long blonde hair), your commentator guy Gordon (forget his first name) Michael Greco and a few other pros whose names I forget but recognise from TV. I feel well out of place but determined not to do anything stupid.


First ever tournament and I am in Barcelona Casino in 30 degree heat and sitting at the 8,000 euro EPT with a bunch of guys that are already on my Hard Drive.


I also met two of the other PKR guys that were playing "powaa" and "justpay". Two real nice guys too.


I was determined to make day 2 and the blinds are structured in such a way that you must definitely make a good few moves to make it through the day. I played very tight and was folding folding folding all day long waiting for a premium hand which came after a couple of hours.


I got dealt pocket Aces on the big blind (200, 400) and 4 guys limped in (obviously because I was playing so tight). I raised to 1,000 and the guy to my left moved all in. I had him covered by 75 chips. Everyone else folded. He threw up pocket 5's and I felt good with an 18,000 pot to be won. the flop came 4,6,8 rainbow. ARRRRGHHHH. Turn is a 3!!!!! AARRRGGHHHHHHHHH. So now he has 10 outs, how did that happen? River is a 4 and I can breathe again. I am visibly shaking now and trying not to show it (not easy).


I got moved to another table shortly after that and got dealt A8s the first hand I sat down. The big blind raised all in to 2,650 and stupidly I called and he showed AK and I lost.


I was angry with myself for just losing 15% of my stack but I wanted to create a loose image at this table. David Williams was to my right and he was just raising everything and I just watched how he played for a time.


I got through to day 2 with 15,800 chips (139/202) and was sitting at a very aggressive table when I made a move with 10 Js, (I had 8,900 left and blinds were 1,000/2,000) and got busted by pocket Aces with a board of K,8,9,2,9. I ended the day in 139th place too which was a strange coincidence having started the day in that place.


All this cost me absolutely nothing. I freerolled my way in. I've done the same thing again to get to the EPT London Grand Final so who knows.....................