Day 1 was uninteresting in the early levels. I played a solid game in the beginning and got up to $40,000 within the first hour by playing very standard.

However, during the later levels of Day 1, there were some serious chip movements.

This is one of the hands that I made a fundamental mistake. At $100/$200, "TheNorfman" raised on the cut-off to $600, I called from the button with 8♣ 9♣ and so did some old guy from the big blind.

Dan "Kingdan" Smith, who I had played recently in a 25,000 FPP satellite for a winner-takes-all seat to the High Rollers event in London, reraised to $3,300.

As soon as the older guy called from the small blind, I was sure that Dan was likely going to make a move from the BB with several different holdings. When I played with him in that satellite, he was the only player I have played in a long time where I really had to slow down three-handed and heads-up.

After Dan reraised to $3,300 with about $33,000 behind, I elected to call in position with my $45,000 stack and the guy in the SB decided to call as well.

Dan Smith: Can really make you slow down.

The flop came down A♦ 7♦-6x and Dan fired out $5,500. At this point, I should have shoved all-in and it is not even close. I put Dan on air pre-flop, there is already about $14,000 in the pot, the SB should not be a threat unless he woke up with a set (unlikely).

I was not really thinking, and instead of shoving I just called which is absolutely horrid and I am still disgusted with myself to this day.

The small blind folded and we saw an offsuit 8 on the turn. Dan checked. Now I had middle pair and a straight draw, a hand with great showdown value versus his range.

I decided to check behind which is fine after making the terrible check on the flop. The river came 9♦, a terrible card for me. Not only did it complete the four-card straight but it also put a flush on the board.

Dan fired $8k. Immediately I felt sick to my stomach and said, "I know you have something stupid like Q-T."

I convince myself to call, which I do not think is that bad considering I know this player is capable of making a bet that looks like a value bet on the river with air, and he flips over Q-T for the ten-high straight

Mizzi: Still disgusted with call on the flop.

So disgusting! I wish you could see the pot size in the middle of the table as you can in online poker! I would have insta-shoved that flop. Oh well! After this hand I am back down to $30k.

I maintain my stake until the blinds are $300/$600, raise A-T in middle position to $1,600, get called by three players. The flop comes down A-Q-2. BB checks to me; I fire $4,200.

The two late position players fold and the BB thinks for a very long time and shoves $12,000 total. I call and he has A-6 and we manage to chop. Ironically, the same guy ends up winning a big flip against me after that hand with my JJ vs his A-Q and he ends up crippling me to $9,100.

I end the day with a stack of $9,100 chips and have a lot of work to do on Day 2.

--Sorel Mizzi

More blogs from Betfair Poker pro Sorel Mizzi:

• Cutting Down on Mistakes
• Backkkk in Business
• The Run Continues Part 1
• WSOP Events 1 and 2 + Weight-Loss Bet Results