Bart Wetsteijn
My name is Bart Wetsteijn and I'm 24 years old. I live in Tilburg, in the Netherlands, where I'm currently studying accountancy. At the moment I'm writing my thesis, which I've been doing for a year now and still have yet to finish. Well, you can guess the reason for the slow paced-thesis writing...
I’ve been playing poker for 1 year and 4 months, and have taken it seriously from the start. I started with low buy-in, multi-table tournaments, in which I did very well. I then moved to sit & go's and cash games, all with great succes. Now I'm mainly playing live cash games in Holland Casino and live tournaments across the southern part of my country. My biggest poker accomplishment so far is ending 4th out of 139 in the main event of the Twentse Series Of Poker of Holland Casino Enschede. I won 6480 euro (buy in was 200 euro, no re-buy needed).
I am looking forward to the WSOP with great confidence. I'm optimistic for three reasons: First, even at the WSOP, a portion of the field isn't that good. Second, most of the people participating in the event come from the Internet and from past experiences; I know I can compete with them. Finally, even though I have to assume the experienced pros are better than me, they're also human and can make mistakes. My first goal is to reach the money and after that, obviously I want to make it as far as possible. I will be satisfied when I make it to at least the top 20%.
Bart's World Series Of Poker Experience
Brought To You By Hollywood Poker
After an awfully long journey that lasted almost a full day, I finally landed in Las Vegas. It was a week before the main event and I was carrying two bags on my back; a grand total of 55 pounds. I could have waited to discover one of the things Vegas is famous for; the freaking 110 degree heat! I was happy to take the shuttle to the Sahara Hotel and to bed straight away, seeming as it was 6 or 7 o'clock in the morning, Amsterdam time.
The first thing I did the next morning was find a grocery store. On 3 miles of strip, I could only find one! I guess they expect you to eat in the restaurants and buffets all day. We Dutch people are cheap so there was no way that was going to work. They didn't offer much bread at the buffets anyway and in the Netherlands, 2 out of 3 meals each day consist of bread. They only sold bread with added flavor in the grocery store anyway, so it turned out to be the buffet all day after all.
One of the things I'm going to change for next year is my dependence on public transportation. Sometimes you wait 45 minutes just to see the bus pass you by, full. Not only that, but the bus is really slow while driving down the strip. That could be a good thing, as it gives you enough time to take a good look at all those amazing hotels and casinos with all their lights and attractions. Even the European City of Lights (Paris) doesn't have as many!
I didn't party a lot for the 2 weeks I was in Vegas. The first week I had to prepare myself for the main event, getting as fit as possible. The second week I had to turn a loss from the cash games into a profit, so I skipped the partying and played poker, hah. I know for sure that all those hotels offer great parties - but I only joined one of the smaller parties at the Sahara. That's something to change for next year as well!
During the main event I was seated at the toughest table I had ever played in my life. One memorable hand was my 96s from the big blind. I flopped the 2nd nut straight, it was 3-handed, and knowing that the woman in last position liked to make pot-sized bets in last position, my plan a check raise. The guy in the small blind called my raise, so I figured he had either a flush or straight draw or he was slow-playing J9. I think he would have check raised instead of check called or bet right out with trips; and a pair was very unlikely in this situation. The turn brought a 2nd T. I bet almost the pot after his check - that way he couldn't call with a draw. That 2nd T probably saved me, as the guy probably thought I had check-raised trips or two pair, ending with a full house!
After that, I was seated at another table that was even tougher! One of the hands I remember well was one in which I made a costly mistake. I was in the small blind and found K5s. Only one caller, so catching a K on the flop would be perfect; I call. The flop was 542, so I bet right out. I was raised by a tight player who was pretty short stacked. I called his raise and his all in bet on the turn only to see his 54o - making two pair. What was I thinking! To raise in that position, with someone behind you and a straight possible, for a tight player that generally means at least two pair...
After that hand I was short stacked and found QQ in the big blind at the very next hand. I raised 4 times the big blind and was called by someone holding 99. They put me all in when the flop came 345. This time, I didn't have to be afraid of two pair so it was an easy call and an easy double up. A few hours later, another guy was kind enough to double me up when I had AA and had raised pre-flop. After everyone folded, he re-raised me $4000, thinking I was trying to steal the blinds. I moved all in for $11000 total. He made a quick call with J8. Great timing for AA!
The next day I made the mistake I regret most. I played my AK way too aggressively, after someone raised me $2000 in early position with $7000 left. I was pretty sure he would call me if I put him all in, which I did, of course. Getting 50-50 for a large portion of my chips is not something I should have done. Unfortunately I was a little crazy, followed through and saw him call with TT. I should have taken less risk and seen a flop for the $2000.
So I was short stacked again and moved to another table to find AA in the small blind. Someone raised about 3x the big blind in an early position. I moved all in for $6250. I wanted to double up, so I kept staring at him, trying to make him think I was bluffing. He called with 55 (!) and got his 3rd 5 on the turn. I guess he had the stack to take that kind of a risk, raising from an early position with 55. I think it's a mistake to raise in an early position with that hand unless you're REALLY short stacked. I wish I had played my AK more sensibly; I would have had the chips to bet the 55-guy out of the pot on the flop!
So the main event was over for me and I had to make up for a loss of $2000 from the cash games the week before. I played well for a few days, and turned the loss into a nice profit of $2900!
Next year I'll be back and I'm planning to have a bankroll that will allow me to play almost every NL, FL, or PL hold'em event during the WSOP. I guess I'll have to leave the more expensive events for what they are, but I will be in the main event again as I'm sure I will win a seat again next year...hopefully from Hollywood Poker!
Hollywood Poker is just an outstanding poker site with a great crew (I had a great time with Team Hollywood Poker!), the best 5/10 NL cash game I've ever played, the chance to play with several celebrities, and also some other great things, like the ability to see your chance of winning when you're all-in during a tournament. (I've only seen this at Hollywood).
I want to thank Hollywood Poker for this great experience! I had a great time and I hope to see you all at next year's WSOP!
More Profiled WSOP Players | Back To Team Hollywood Poker | 
