In the big blind I had pocket 5's and pocket 10's. Flop comes 559. I bet $400 and player acrossed from me smooth calls his pocket 9's. Turn comes J and I bet 800. Player across from me again smooth calls his 9's full. River card is the last 9 and he and I go on a raise battle. 4000 chips later (5 bets) and he shows his pocket 9's. I show my four 5's and the table sympathizes with me. First time I have ever had a four of a kind beat in a tournament. I have had it happen 4 other times in cash play, each for a jackpot so just getting the snot kicked out of me was a big downer. I had 11000 chips when the hand started and lost 6600 on the hand. It crippled me. The very next hand in the little blind I have 2469 and flop 9c6c6s for a full house. Turn comes 4c to kill any chances of a low draw if I am beat but I bet it out. River comes a 2c and I bet and get raised. I just call given the last hand and sure enough the player has 3c5c for a straight flush. CRAP! I lose another 3200 but then go on a great tear with my last 1200 chips. At the time there were about 15 tables still going. I get some great cards and work it up to 50000 when we hit the final table. I go all in at least 6 times but with blinds at 30000/60000 I finally have a bad hand and get knocked out in 7th. It was a great comeback and I had to go all in about 10 times to get to the final table. I will definitely keep trying.

Mike