A Series of Events by Jeff Madsen

So, I find myself in the middle of the World Series of Poker. If you didn’t see my last column, you may have missed the anguish and pain of my Series so far. At this point, I’m basically thinking to myself, “Anything that happens now has to be an improvement, right?” Maybe, Jeff Madsen. Maybe.

Jun. 15 – Jun 17: Event 25 - $2,000 No Limit Hold’em

The pressure is mounting. In my head I feel like I am a failure unless I win two bracelets. In reality, I should be taking each tournament one hand at a time, but I’m really just taking everything one tournament at a time. I don’t believe that’s how a successful player thinks. Maybe that’s why I’m not successful at the moment.

I don’t play this tourney, but I look forward to the 50k H.O.R.S.E. tournament coming up in a week or so. I said to myself at the beginning of the Series that I would play the 50k almost definitely, unless, amazingly, I did not dominate the Series up to that point. Amazing things happen occasionally.

This is all such a grind. I remember last year, when I had just entered the professional circuit, I was so excited to get the chance to play in every single tournament I could. Of course, I feel the same way about poker now, but lately, I think all these tournaments packed together is getting grueling. Save me, poker gods.

Jun. 17 – Jun. 19: Event 28 - $3,000 No Limit Hold’em

I go fairly deep in this one. Mainly what comes to mind is playing at Phil Laak’s table and getting reraised pre-flop about eight out of seven times by him. It was a frustrating first encounter, but fun at the same time because I occasionally pride myself as being like a mini-Unabomber. My parents would be so proud.

I Was playing in the other tournament so I couldn’t play Razz. Kind of sad, as I only see a Razz tournament about once a year. It’s like shipping off a relative overseas. I will miss you, Razz; see you next year. Check out the red light district for me.

Skipping this to make sure I play the heads-up tournament tomorrow. The first heads-up tournament in World Series of Poker history! I am excited! I also need redemption for the last few heads-up tournaments I’ve played: out first round to Kenna James in Australia, out first round to Joe Cassidy in L.A., and out second round to the homegirl Shannon Elizabeth at the National Heads-Up Championship in Las Vegas. I know this time I’m gonna dominate and play heads up like I know I can! Knock them all down just like Erick Lindgren! I am unstopppppppabuuuuuullllll!!!!

Jun. 19 – Jun. 21: Event 31 - $5,000 World Championship Heads-Up No Limit Hold’em

I only make a few rebuys and end up with a very nice stack as the day progresses. Most of my chips come from my buddy Josh Arieh, who was the big chip leader for a while before I decided to play a big pot with him with K-K-Q-10. One thing I know now about Josh’s game, if I didn’t realize it before, is that he WILL GAMBLE. I come into Day 2 confident and ready to take down bracelet number 3. Alas, I run into set over set on a K-5-2 board and don’t even make the money. I increasingly want to tear my eyes out at this point.

Let’s check in with an update on my threeway “jester” bet with Gavin Smith and Joe Sebok. At this point, I have only one cash for points, but at least it was in one of my “joker” events (see last month or online for details of the bet). Gavin has no points yet, but I don’t feel bad for him as I now owe him a retarded amount of money from our other crossbook bet. So, Sebok is whooping us both by now. At least if he wins it’ll be hilarious to see Gavin dressed up like a jester.

Jun. 21 – Jun. 23: Event 36 - $5,000 World Championship Omaha High/Low Eight or Better

The tournament I had been so looking forward to the entire WSOP — as did many things this Series — fell through. Let’s just say that 50,000 dollars in cash isn’t always easy to get together, even if it’s sitting right there in my bank account. With so many things going on, I hadn’t really prepared for this tournament and couldn’t get the money together in time. I doubt I have ever been more upset about NOT playing a tournament. Ce la vie.

Jun. 25 – Jun. 27: Event 41 - $1,000 World Championship Seniors No Limit Hold’em

Should events that exclude me be bracelet events? Not sure about that one. Anyway, on the note of age, I truly feel that the young generation is slowly taking over the poker world. Of course, this doesn’t mean the older guys won’t always be there, winning tournaments, but I think it’s tough not to notice what is happening with the young guys. And, by the way, I still consider 30-year-olds to be part of the “young guys.”

Jun. 25 – Jun. 27: Event 42 - $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha High/Low 8/OB

I’ve always enjoyed this game, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a live tournament in this format. That being said, and with my experience in this game, I was pretty sure I had a good chance to do well. Many people misunderstand how to play this game, and it was pretty easy to take chips from these players and go deep in the tournament. A little luck helps, too … Finally, another cash! This made me happy, but I wanted to win. Alas, my luck deep in tournaments continues to suck big time. After I was scooped in a big pot by a runner-runner flush, I had somewhat of a blow-up and left the tournament room for at least twenty minutes. It just felt like there was nothing I could do to get to the final table, and my best chance to move up was to leave. Eventually, I came back to my senses and returned to my shortstack, busting a few hands later in 68th. Meh.

This blurb is a little late, but I think I was distracted before. It is about my first experience with “the tent” in an earlier Omaha tournament. What is “the tent”? A huge swinging mass of metal and flimsy walls that puts fear into the heart of all poker players. Why? Well, firstly it sucks to play in the tent outside instead of in the actual tournament poker room in the RIO. Secondly, on this particular occasion, it is swinging. Violently. The entire building is being tossed around by the desert winds, and it is absolutely ridiculous to play in. This also happens to be my first experience playing with Doyle Brunson, who sits to my right. He plays for a couple hours through the sandstorm, and then simply stands up and leaves. Doyle Brunson has quit a World Series event with plenty of chips. You guys behind the scenes need to start looking at how you’re handling the WSOP. That’s all I’m gonna say.

This is the event I won a bracelet in last year, and also the last tournament I won. Shorthanded is a strength of mine, and I sailed through this one rather smoothly. Highlights include my first encounter with Hellmuth and a lot of interesting hands with Justin Bonomo. I made the money for the second tournament in a row, and was feeling good. Again … my luck late in tournaments is poor. I push all in with 10-10 and Bonomo makes a minimum raise from the small blind. The big blind pushes and Bonomo calls. They both have A-K. Sweet. Flop comes ten high. Sweet. River comes a heart, completing the big blind’s flush. Not sweet. Maybe if Bonomo just pushes all in, then the big blind folds, and I have chips.

Got third in this event last year. Man, I was really on my game then. How can I switch it back on?

My first time playing this format tournament. I do well, and almost cash in three straight tournaments! I collapse near the end, per usual.

I couldn’t lose money faster if I tried. Which means that I’m NOT trying. I’m playing well! I bust quite early … I’ll save any bad beat stories. As I leave the tournament room, I knock chairs over.

The worst structured tournament I have ever played in my entire life. I am the early chip leader, then the average stack becomes maybe eight bets or less … I bust late in the day. Broken record.

Jul. 4 – Jul. 5: Event 54 - $5,000 World Championship No Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball

Jul. 6 – Jul. 17: Event 55 - $10,000 World Championship No Limit Hold’em

Sebok won the jester bet, so I have to wear a completely ridiculous jester outfit on Day 1. It is uncomfortable — particularly the hat — but I play well and end the day at 4 a.m. with 80,000 in chips. I get a ride home, still wearing the jester outfit, ready to rest up for Day 2. My ride drives away as I walk towards my house. I realize I have left my house keys in Sebok’s room at the RIO. I then realize my phone is completely dead. I don’t have my car keys either, but my car is also dead; so it wouldn’t have mattered. I knock on my neighbor Brandon Cantu’s door, and realize he is almost certainly at a strip club. So, my only solution was to walk two miles — in my jester pants — to a gas station and call someone to pick me up. As I walked, I reflected. This wasn’t so bad, was it? I mean, sure I looked ridiculous at 5 a.m., walking down random Vegas streets; sure my youngest bracelet record was broken; I lost a huge bet to Gavin; lost the rest of my money to tournaments; couldn’t catch a break deep in tournaments; went through three mental breakdowns; had to endure rumbling tents, bad decisions and structures; dealt with insurmountable pressure; etc. Oh, and it was fun watching Tom Schneider, the 2007 Player of the Year, receive a check for $40,000 for his achievement. At least, I was doing well in the Main Event.

Day 2, I neared the money, and busted. And Gavin didn’t wear his jester outfit; he bought out for 20k. I needed to find something positive to take from my WSOP experience. In the end, I understood that this was just a series of events and maybe next time things would be better. How lucky am I to face so much hardship so young? I am stronger now than I ever thought I could be at this point. And for that, I am thankful. What do I need for the events in my future to be positive experiences? Maybe all it takes is a little faith.