Players received 5000 in starting chips and levels were 30 minutes long. The structure for the tournament was very, very fast. The typical level 3 which is normally 100/200 was skipped and the level 3 was what is normally level 4 which is 100/200 with a $25 ante.

I was never in jeopardy for all my chips until we were down to the final two tables. We were down to about 18 people when the following hand came up.

Paul "Quack Quack" Magriel was sitting pretty with nearly 100,000 in chips. He was sitting on my left shoulder in seat 10 and I was in Seat 9. A few hands earlier I pleaded to Paul the case for him taking a lunch because 50000 should surely get him to the final 10.

I was in the big blind with a 36000 stack... the blinds were 1000/2000 with a 400 ante ... Paul limped in and a desperate player moved all-in for 21500 everyone else folded. I found QQ in the big blind and I tanked before calling the 21500. I even said if I win this I get my entry, if not I am out of here. Paul moves all-in and I knew he had me beat, but with only 15000 left I felt that I was still correct in my assessment that a win here would guarantee me an $5150 entry into the main event. I was pot committed and I called. He show AA the other guy had J 5 off and I flopped a Q and had nearly 100000 in chips. Paul was down to 65000 in chips and he still ended up getting a seat as well.

I eventually finished the event in 2nd chip position. I will be at Caesar's tomorrow at noon, so wish me luck.

The tournament is scheduled to take 4 days to play ad I expect the tournament to pay over $250,000 to win. I need some luck.

First step is just make it to play on day two... that is my 1st goal.