WSOP Deep Run Energy: 5,263 Players, a Crazy Fun Bubble, and a Bag for Day 2
You can follow the full sweat and every all-in moment from this tournament on my YouTube vlog here, where I document one of the most fun and exhausting days of the WSOP 2024 $600 No-Limit Hold’em event.
This one had everything: massive fields, lucky rivers, sharp hero calls, wild table talk, and yes, a bubble you could cut with a knife.
Why I Love the Smaller Buy-ins
There’s something special about the lower buy-in WSOP events. They’re friendlier, more social, and let’s be honest, more fun. I love the high-stakes grind, but these events remind you why we all started playing poker in the first place. And with 30-minute levels and 30,000 starting chips, there’s plenty of room to maneuver.
It also didn’t hurt that I won literally every flip during the day. That never happens. But we’ll get to that.
First Big Bluff, First Hand at the Table
I sat down and immediately found a bluff spot. With ATs in the cutoff, I opened and got called by the small blind. The big blind was sitting out, which I factored into my read. When the flop came Q95r I c-bet small. The small blind check-raised, but I picked up physical tells that told me he was uncomfortable. I 4-bet to 8K, and he folded.
You don’t always need a big hand to win a big pot. You just need to know your opponents.
Bluff Catching with Deuces
One of the most satisfying moments of the day came when I made a hero call with 2h2s. The button raised, I defended from the big blind. The flop came King-high, and I check-called his small c-bet. The turn checked through, and on the river, he bombed it. Something about the sizing and story didn’t add up, so I called, and he showed King-high. My Deuces were good.
In tournaments, it’s not just about playing your cards, it’s about interpreting your opponent’s narrative.
How I Approach the Bubble with a Big Stack
With 790 players paid and 920 left, I found myself near the top of the chip counts. I had over 600K in chips when average was around 200K, and I was determined to take advantage of it.
During hand-for-hand play, I opened nearly 100% of hands from late position, yes, even J2o. With so many short stacks just trying to sneak into the money, it’s the perfect time to apply pressure. Most players aren’t looking to get involved, and it’s one of the few times in tournament poker where aggression goes almost entirely unchallenged.
We made the money, and I kept building.
Tired but Focused
After a late run in the Gladiator event the night before, I was running on five hours of sleep. Even so, I stayed locked in and made some solid reads throughout the day.
Unfortunately, I busted just shy of the money in a flip. It was a bummer not to cash, but I’m still proud of how I played. Some days you hold, some days you don’t.
Running on Adrenaline, and Caffeine
By the end of the day, I was delirious in the best way. Between the constant all-ins, winning multiple flips, and a few missed reads, it was a full-on mental marathon. But somehow, I still had energy because I knew the bag was in sight.
When the dust settled, I bagged up 670,000 chips, coming back to a 30K big blind for Day 2. Out of 5,263 runners, just 300 of us remain. And first place? Just under $300,000.
Not bad for a $600 buy-in.
Thanks so much for following along. If you want to see all the action from Day 1, including every flip, bluff, and breakdown, check out the full vlog on my YouTube channel here.
Want More Strategy Like This?
If you enjoy the breakdowns, hero calls, and the way I approach hands and field dynamics, you’ll love my course, The Poker Accelerator. Whether you’re learning push-fold ranges, navigating bubbles, or refining your bet sizing, this course gives you the roadmap you need.
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