Well I think I am going to retire from poker. I can't seem to get anywhere either in cash games or tournaments.
To give you 2 examples, in the tournament today.
1 : The player under the gun throws in a 500 chip when the blinds are 50/100. He wanted to raise but did not say so, therefore when I asked if it was a call the dealer said it was. I had 65 in late position so I called. Then I can't believe it when the BB raises to 400. The UTG guy just calls and I fold in disgust. The dealer flops 659 rainbow. Bet of 1000 is called. Turn is 6. Bet of 1500 is called. I would surely have nearly tripled up here.
2 : The hand that eliminates me. Blinds are 100/200 with 25 ante. I have 2500 chips. 4 limpers to me in the BB with 84. I check. Flop is 28Q rainbow. All check. Turn is 7. I think I must be winning so push all in. Called by a guy who was slowplaying AA. Nice.
You know they say that when you look around the table and you can't see the sucker then it is you. Well I certainly feel like that at the moment.
As some consolation, the Ceasars tournament that Mark and I played in on Monday did have that tall American swimmer bloke in it http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/article/5334/tournament-trail-q-and-a-michael-phelps - and he was at my table for a while. Seemed like an OK guy - it sounded like he gets a lot of grief about being a poker fish (!) when he does not deserve it. It was reassuring to see artifically enhanced blonde ladies asking for his autograph.
Oh and it seems that the gossip is that the World Poker Tour is about to go bust - you heard it here first...
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
Saturday, 18 October 2008
US Trip - October - Commerce Cash
I have come over for a repeat of the stag weekend trip earlier in the year. Mr B is here and we will be looking for action.
First night (or should I say morning) I play about 90 minutes of $5/10 with a buy-in of $400 dollars.
Early on not much happens. There is a lot of limping and I get value on a couple of draws which don't hit.
I only get dealt three premium hands:
1 - TT on the button - I raise a couple of limpers and all fold.
2 - KK in the BB. I make a $60 raise after 4 limps. Only one caller - flop is 998 two clubs I bet all in for $140 and he reluctantly calls. Another club comes but his big ace is no good.
Before relating the final hand, to give you an idea of the weird play, this was one of the biggest pots. There is a cowboyish type who has a big rack of chips - clearly he has been hitting flops, because he is a bit clueless. This pot also influences my last hand. There is a raise from mid position by Mr Arabian to my right and it is called by cowboy on the button and tight local on the BB. Flop is AQ6 all spades. Pot is about $80 and tight local goes all-in for about $120, Mr A reraises all-in to about $300.
OK - you are Mr Cowboy - what hands can you call with? I would have thought you need to have a spade or a set. Oh no - he calls with A9 clubs! and surprise suprise the other guys have AQ. However they split since even when 4s comes on the river neither of them has a spade either.
Equally weird is when I called a min raise to $20 on the BB with J9d. A flop of TJQ all hearts looks nice at first so I lead out for $60 into an $80 pot expecting to get raised by someone with a heart and then I can fold. However only one caller - the button. Turn is Kh - oh dear - surely my straight is no good here. I check - so does he. Likewise on the river which is 4d. I show and he mucks. Eh? How could I win there? He must have had a pair without a heart I guess or may be KQ, but how you can call a flop bet without a heart I will never know.
Anyway - to my last hand.
I am looking to leave so I have found a rack for my chips - I am about $50 up so I have $450 in front of me and will play until I am about to post my blind. I get JJ in the cut off and after 2 limps (including Mr A) I raise to $40. The cowboy reraises to $100 from the SB and then Mr A raises it to $200.
Mr A has up until now played quite straightforward. I thought that if he had one of the 3 pairs that beat me, he probably would have raised the original limper. Also he has been involved in a few pots with Cowboy and I would think he figures cowboy could be raising with anything. 3 options:
1 - fold - against 2 tight players - may be - but not in this spot given the history
2 - call - possibly to try to see a flop, but I would rather be heads up. Cowboy could reraise and if Mr A calls perhaps I would have to fold.
3 raise - and it will have to be all in. I think I am likely against Ax big or may be TT/99.
I go for 3 and Cowboy folds. Unfortunately Mr A has the Aces and I don't get lucky.
So $400 down...time for bed
First night (or should I say morning) I play about 90 minutes of $5/10 with a buy-in of $400 dollars.
Early on not much happens. There is a lot of limping and I get value on a couple of draws which don't hit.
I only get dealt three premium hands:
1 - TT on the button - I raise a couple of limpers and all fold.
2 - KK in the BB. I make a $60 raise after 4 limps. Only one caller - flop is 998 two clubs I bet all in for $140 and he reluctantly calls. Another club comes but his big ace is no good.
Before relating the final hand, to give you an idea of the weird play, this was one of the biggest pots. There is a cowboyish type who has a big rack of chips - clearly he has been hitting flops, because he is a bit clueless. This pot also influences my last hand. There is a raise from mid position by Mr Arabian to my right and it is called by cowboy on the button and tight local on the BB. Flop is AQ6 all spades. Pot is about $80 and tight local goes all-in for about $120, Mr A reraises all-in to about $300.
OK - you are Mr Cowboy - what hands can you call with? I would have thought you need to have a spade or a set. Oh no - he calls with A9 clubs! and surprise suprise the other guys have AQ. However they split since even when 4s comes on the river neither of them has a spade either.
Equally weird is when I called a min raise to $20 on the BB with J9d. A flop of TJQ all hearts looks nice at first so I lead out for $60 into an $80 pot expecting to get raised by someone with a heart and then I can fold. However only one caller - the button. Turn is Kh - oh dear - surely my straight is no good here. I check - so does he. Likewise on the river which is 4d. I show and he mucks. Eh? How could I win there? He must have had a pair without a heart I guess or may be KQ, but how you can call a flop bet without a heart I will never know.
Anyway - to my last hand.
I am looking to leave so I have found a rack for my chips - I am about $50 up so I have $450 in front of me and will play until I am about to post my blind. I get JJ in the cut off and after 2 limps (including Mr A) I raise to $40. The cowboy reraises to $100 from the SB and then Mr A raises it to $200.
Mr A has up until now played quite straightforward. I thought that if he had one of the 3 pairs that beat me, he probably would have raised the original limper. Also he has been involved in a few pots with Cowboy and I would think he figures cowboy could be raising with anything. 3 options:
1 - fold - against 2 tight players - may be - but not in this spot given the history
2 - call - possibly to try to see a flop, but I would rather be heads up. Cowboy could reraise and if Mr A calls perhaps I would have to fold.
3 raise - and it will have to be all in. I think I am likely against Ax big or may be TT/99.
I go for 3 and Cowboy folds. Unfortunately Mr A has the Aces and I don't get lucky.
So $400 down...time for bed
Saturday, 27 September 2008
Virgin Poker Festival at Loose Cannon
I played the main event on Saturday 27th September - having qualified on line at Virgin Poker.
We started at 2 pm with 10,000 chips and a good slow structure.
In first 2 levels made a couple of largeish laydowns
Played 67 with flop of 789. I call a bet. Turn is 6 and river 9. Limp a5d from the button. Flop k69 one d. I bet and get called. Turn 6 river 9 both diamonds but I fold to big bet from the small blind.
after the break I have a6s on the button flop is j94 two spades. Blinds are 100/200 so when mid pos limpet bets only 600 I reraise to 1500. He calls and then checks the raggedy turn. River is a beautiful spade and he check calls my 1500 bet - sweet.
Then the cooler. I call a min raise with 78s from late position as does the button and big blind. Flop is 69T giving me the nut straight. There are 2 checks to me but the button has been quite agressive so I am pretty sure he will bet. He bets 800 and BB raises to 3000. I naturally move all in and the BB calls. He has TT for a set but the dealer turns a 6 to fill him up. I am virtually dead with 1200 chips. A few hands later I have A2 in bb and after two limps and a board of 972 I move all in but called by T9.
I do not think I could have avoided anything really.
We started at 2 pm with 10,000 chips and a good slow structure.
In first 2 levels made a couple of largeish laydowns
Played 67 with flop of 789. I call a bet. Turn is 6 and river 9. Limp a5d from the button. Flop k69 one d. I bet and get called. Turn 6 river 9 both diamonds but I fold to big bet from the small blind.
after the break I have a6s on the button flop is j94 two spades. Blinds are 100/200 so when mid pos limpet bets only 600 I reraise to 1500. He calls and then checks the raggedy turn. River is a beautiful spade and he check calls my 1500 bet - sweet.
Then the cooler. I call a min raise with 78s from late position as does the button and big blind. Flop is 69T giving me the nut straight. There are 2 checks to me but the button has been quite agressive so I am pretty sure he will bet. He bets 800 and BB raises to 3000. I naturally move all in and the BB calls. He has TT for a set but the dealer turns a 6 to fill him up. I am virtually dead with 1200 chips. A few hands later I have A2 in bb and after two limps and a board of 972 I move all in but called by T9.
I do not think I could have avoided anything really.
Thursday, 25 September 2008
APAT Stud - I am interviewed
Here it is - my interview before the stud final http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzxZldC-50o
Saturday, 13 September 2008
Poker player tournament - Brighton
This tournament was sponsored by poker player magazine.
100 runners paying £50 each with the winner getting a gukpt seat as well as £1500.
We started with 5000 chips with blinds 25/50
Early on I called a raise with ak and the flop was a67 all diamonds. I raised a bet of 300 to 900 and he called. Turn is a rag but I smell a rat so I check behind. River another rag and when he checks I do too and he shows a flopped flush.
I win some chips later when I reraise a flop of q75 with 2 spades when holding kqd. I think he probably had aq because he said he thought I had a big flush draw.
Not much happens then the fickle poker gods strike.
First I have 62 on the bb when the blinds are 150/300. The flop is T96 after 3 limps. All check. Turn is a 6. I check ready to raise but no takers. River is A so this time I am sure someone will bet. Sure enough someone bets 800 and calls my extra 1000. Sweet.
Next hand I am sb. I have 57h so I call 3 limpers. Flop is a beautiful 77A so I check. No action. Turn is Q surely someone will bet. I check BB bets 400 and is raised to 1500. There are 2 diamonds now so I think the raiser probably has the Ad. Clearly the bb had Q so he folds. Raiser calls my all in and shows 78. So looks like a split until he catches an 8 on the river.
Now I have 600 chips but the very next hand I get as and I double through qq.
After the break blinds are 200/400 so I am looking to go all in. I get T9h in mid position so I am in. There is a call all in from someone with 600 and 2 further callers. The bb is getting good value too so we end up 5 way. Flop is 236 turn 9 so when my nemesis bets and the others fold I am happy to see the other all in show 55 and the bettor 65. But then he rivers me again with a 4
He had better win it!
100 runners paying £50 each with the winner getting a gukpt seat as well as £1500.
We started with 5000 chips with blinds 25/50
Early on I called a raise with ak and the flop was a67 all diamonds. I raised a bet of 300 to 900 and he called. Turn is a rag but I smell a rat so I check behind. River another rag and when he checks I do too and he shows a flopped flush.
I win some chips later when I reraise a flop of q75 with 2 spades when holding kqd. I think he probably had aq because he said he thought I had a big flush draw.
Not much happens then the fickle poker gods strike.
First I have 62 on the bb when the blinds are 150/300. The flop is T96 after 3 limps. All check. Turn is a 6. I check ready to raise but no takers. River is A so this time I am sure someone will bet. Sure enough someone bets 800 and calls my extra 1000. Sweet.
Next hand I am sb. I have 57h so I call 3 limpers. Flop is a beautiful 77A so I check. No action. Turn is Q surely someone will bet. I check BB bets 400 and is raised to 1500. There are 2 diamonds now so I think the raiser probably has the Ad. Clearly the bb had Q so he folds. Raiser calls my all in and shows 78. So looks like a split until he catches an 8 on the river.
Now I have 600 chips but the very next hand I get as and I double through qq.
After the break blinds are 200/400 so I am looking to go all in. I get T9h in mid position so I am in. There is a call all in from someone with 600 and 2 further callers. The bb is getting good value too so we end up 5 way. Flop is 236 turn 9 so when my nemesis bets and the others fold I am happy to see the other all in show 55 and the bettor 65. But then he rivers me again with a 4
He had better win it!
Saturday, 30 August 2008
APAT - Main event
This was a pretty good tournament starting with 10k chips with 40min levels. I managed to not lose all my chips when playing out this hand:
Blinds are 50/100 and I limp with 88 in mid position. 5 players see a flop of JJ8 - sweet! It is checked to me and I naturally check. The turn is Ks to match Js. The SB bets 200 and I just call after the BB folds. I hope for a raise from late position but only one caller. I pray for a spade to come to make someone a flush but instead it is a K on the river. The SB bets out and I have to throw my hand away. He is raised all-in and calls and of course they both have K rag. So that river was the case K to screw me.
I don't go on tilt but shortly before dinner after several all-ins that are not called my A6 move from the button is called by the BB with AK. The dealer ships me a 6 to get me up to 12k chips.
I play a couple more biggish pots, doubling up when my AK beat QQ and then taking out a short stack with JJ vs 99.
I now have around 40k in chips when I make a routine raise from the button to 6k when the blinds are 1/2. I have ATd so when the big blind who has about 70k reraises me to 20k I think that he is just trying to bully me back. I decide that I am going to need a lot more chips so I go all-in. He calls with AK and I suck out with a T on the river. He is not happy.
I think this is a major leak in my game. I seem able to fold to a reraise if I am stealing from the cut off or nearby but for some reason I never believe the blinds have a hand when they play back at me.
This puts me on 80k with about 40 left from 200 and not much happens for a couple of levels until we are getting close to the end of the 2k/4k level. It is now after midnight and we have been going since 2.30. It is amazing how one moment you have 20x BB and then suddenly it all goes wrong.
I have to fold my BB and SB to raises. Down to 74k. I pick up KQ in the cut off so make a standard raise to 12k. The button raises all-in and I have to fold. Then the blinds go up to 3/6. we play one orbit and I get nothing playable and I lose another set of blinds. Down to 53k. I get QT suited in the cut-off. Now I should possibly have gone all-in but instead I raise to 15k. The button goes all-in over the top again and I have to fold. Now I only have 38k. 2 hands later I get KTh. I go all-in, reraise all-in to my left with AQ followed by call with AA. It is all over.
So now I have an APAT bronze and silver medal, but no gold....
Blinds are 50/100 and I limp with 88 in mid position. 5 players see a flop of JJ8 - sweet! It is checked to me and I naturally check. The turn is Ks to match Js. The SB bets 200 and I just call after the BB folds. I hope for a raise from late position but only one caller. I pray for a spade to come to make someone a flush but instead it is a K on the river. The SB bets out and I have to throw my hand away. He is raised all-in and calls and of course they both have K rag. So that river was the case K to screw me.
I don't go on tilt but shortly before dinner after several all-ins that are not called my A6 move from the button is called by the BB with AK. The dealer ships me a 6 to get me up to 12k chips.
I play a couple more biggish pots, doubling up when my AK beat QQ and then taking out a short stack with JJ vs 99.
I now have around 40k in chips when I make a routine raise from the button to 6k when the blinds are 1/2. I have ATd so when the big blind who has about 70k reraises me to 20k I think that he is just trying to bully me back. I decide that I am going to need a lot more chips so I go all-in. He calls with AK and I suck out with a T on the river. He is not happy.
I think this is a major leak in my game. I seem able to fold to a reraise if I am stealing from the cut off or nearby but for some reason I never believe the blinds have a hand when they play back at me.
This puts me on 80k with about 40 left from 200 and not much happens for a couple of levels until we are getting close to the end of the 2k/4k level. It is now after midnight and we have been going since 2.30. It is amazing how one moment you have 20x BB and then suddenly it all goes wrong.
I have to fold my BB and SB to raises. Down to 74k. I pick up KQ in the cut off so make a standard raise to 12k. The button raises all-in and I have to fold. Then the blinds go up to 3/6. we play one orbit and I get nothing playable and I lose another set of blinds. Down to 53k. I get QT suited in the cut-off. Now I should possibly have gone all-in but instead I raise to 15k. The button goes all-in over the top again and I have to fold. Now I only have 38k. 2 hands later I get KTh. I go all-in, reraise all-in to my left with AQ followed by call with AA. It is all over.
So now I have an APAT bronze and silver medal, but no gold....
Friday, 29 August 2008
APAT - 7 card stud
We started with 3000 chips and after 2 levels I have 2000. Blimey is this game slow! I am keeping to the rules (folding if you can't beat the board) and was a bit unlucky to lose to a higher straight
At second break I have 7000. There were a couple of hands where it was pretty obvious what my opponent had so was able to get maximum chips when pairing a hidden Ace when my opponent had started with an open queen.
Made it to final table with a huge stack - pictures and commentary here www.apat.com/forum/index.php?topic=1921.105. This was all down to one crazy hand. To be honest i can't remember the exact details. We are down to 2 tables with antes of 100, bring in of 200 completion 500 and blinds 500/1000. I have 86 in the hole with an 8 showing. The bring in has a 5c up and that is raised by the player to their left who has 5d the player to my right calls with 7s. I decide to call since the raiser is Anne who has raised with any old rubbish earlier. The bring in calls so we have 4 runners with 2800 in the pot. Now the hands are:
P1-5cTd : P2-5d4d : P3-7sJs and I get Qh.
I check as does P1 - P2 bets 500 and we all call. I am happy to stay in because my queen is a high card and it is cheap . I am probably going to fold next round when the blinds double up.
Now we see:
P1-5cTd9c : P2-5d4d3d : P3-7sJs2s and I get 6h. So now I have 2 pairs. I check as does P1 then P2 bets 1000 and P3 calls. Now the pot is 6800 and so I am getting 7 to 1. I think that I may well need to hit my full house to win and I have only got 3 cards to make it - one 6 is out. However my hand is pretty well disguised - and I also know that I am not that good at this game so perhaps a little speculation is needed. I also figure I am up against 2 flush draws so may be I won't need my full to win. I call and then to everyone's surprise P1 raises another 1000. P2 folds - she says later say had AA in the hole (but not Ad). P3 folds - he says later he had a set (presumably 2s) but I can't really believe that. So now the pot is 9800. Now I am heads up so after I call this bet it will only cost me another 1000 to see the last 2 cards. His board is not that scarey, so perhaps he has no more than a draw too? I decide to call. He gets a K and I get a 4. he bets 1000 and by now I have to call. I blank on the river and am about to fold if he bets. But he checks to me and I show down the winning hand of 2 pairs.
At the final table I am undone by 3 slightly unlucky hands. First I have the eventual winner all in when I start by raising with split tens vs his Jh up card. He calles and then catches Qh which he bets out with his last chips - I have to call and he show Kh 4h - he makes his flush to double through.
Then I play a big pot when I pair my hidden A on fourth street when my opponent pairs an open J. We play to the river and I don't make 2 pairs. Finally I have A3 in the hole with T showing to match my opponents T. I am low on chips so when he raises the bring in I reraise for most of my stack. He calls but only has J in the hole. We don't improve until the river when he catches a J to knock me out. Shame!
I get a bronze medal and £300 - but I feel perhaps I should have done better...perhaps by avoiding confrontation in the 3 way play.
At second break I have 7000. There were a couple of hands where it was pretty obvious what my opponent had so was able to get maximum chips when pairing a hidden Ace when my opponent had started with an open queen.
Made it to final table with a huge stack - pictures and commentary here www.apat.com/forum/index.php?topic=1921.105. This was all down to one crazy hand. To be honest i can't remember the exact details. We are down to 2 tables with antes of 100, bring in of 200 completion 500 and blinds 500/1000. I have 86 in the hole with an 8 showing. The bring in has a 5c up and that is raised by the player to their left who has 5d the player to my right calls with 7s. I decide to call since the raiser is Anne who has raised with any old rubbish earlier. The bring in calls so we have 4 runners with 2800 in the pot. Now the hands are:
P1-5cTd : P2-5d4d : P3-7sJs and I get Qh.
I check as does P1 - P2 bets 500 and we all call. I am happy to stay in because my queen is a high card and it is cheap . I am probably going to fold next round when the blinds double up.
Now we see:
P1-5cTd9c : P2-5d4d3d : P3-7sJs2s and I get 6h. So now I have 2 pairs. I check as does P1 then P2 bets 1000 and P3 calls. Now the pot is 6800 and so I am getting 7 to 1. I think that I may well need to hit my full house to win and I have only got 3 cards to make it - one 6 is out. However my hand is pretty well disguised - and I also know that I am not that good at this game so perhaps a little speculation is needed. I also figure I am up against 2 flush draws so may be I won't need my full to win. I call and then to everyone's surprise P1 raises another 1000. P2 folds - she says later say had AA in the hole (but not Ad). P3 folds - he says later he had a set (presumably 2s) but I can't really believe that. So now the pot is 9800. Now I am heads up so after I call this bet it will only cost me another 1000 to see the last 2 cards. His board is not that scarey, so perhaps he has no more than a draw too? I decide to call. He gets a K and I get a 4. he bets 1000 and by now I have to call. I blank on the river and am about to fold if he bets. But he checks to me and I show down the winning hand of 2 pairs.
At the final table I am undone by 3 slightly unlucky hands. First I have the eventual winner all in when I start by raising with split tens vs his Jh up card. He calles and then catches Qh which he bets out with his last chips - I have to call and he show Kh 4h - he makes his flush to double through.
Then I play a big pot when I pair my hidden A on fourth street when my opponent pairs an open J. We play to the river and I don't make 2 pairs. Finally I have A3 in the hole with T showing to match my opponents T. I am low on chips so when he raises the bring in I reraise for most of my stack. He calls but only has J in the hole. We don't improve until the river when he catches a J to knock me out. Shame!
I get a bronze medal and £300 - but I feel perhaps I should have done better...perhaps by avoiding confrontation in the 3 way play.
Sunday, 24 August 2008
GSOP 2008 - Some interesting hands
I played in the Gutshot £500 buy-in tournament played over the bank holiday weekend. More information here http://www.blogger.com/www.gutshot.com/bforum/showthread.php?t=28629&page=6
I got in via the £30 rebuy satellite - so it had cost me £90 to play.
We started with 20,000 chips and blinds 50/100 - 90 minute levels.
Not much happened until level 2.
Hand 1 - blinds 100/200.
I have JJ in the small blind. The button makes a standard raise of 600, so I reraise to 2000 and he calls. Flop is KQ9 so I decide to bet 3000 into the 4000 pot. He reraises to put me all-in and I have to fold. I think I should have checked the flop and folded perhaps...
I got in via the £30 rebuy satellite - so it had cost me £90 to play.
We started with 20,000 chips and blinds 50/100 - 90 minute levels.
Not much happened until level 2.
Hand 1 - blinds 100/200.
I have JJ in the small blind. The button makes a standard raise of 600, so I reraise to 2000 and he calls. Flop is KQ9 so I decide to bet 3000 into the 4000 pot. He reraises to put me all-in and I have to fold. I think I should have checked the flop and folded perhaps...
A typical JJ hand!
Hand 2 - blinds 400/800 100 ante.
I am running low on chips - I have 15,000 - when I pick AA in the BB - beautiful. Even better there is a standard raise to 2.5k and a reraise to 7.5k. I am tempted to call, but think it better to get heads up if possible so shove in my final 15k. Surprisingly they both fold. Should I just call here? I am not convinced.
A nice boost to my chips - and gets me to the end of day 1 with 24,000.
Hand 3 - blinds 500/1000 ante 100
My stack has dwindled to 16,000 when I get AK under the gun. I raise to 3000 and I am called by the small blind. The flop comes A89 and he checks to me. I bet 5000 and he raises me all-in. I think he can easily have AQ / AJ but unlikely to have A9 or A8. Or perhaps he has a set of 8's or 9's. I have to call and he shows A8. The turn is T and I now have quite a few outs. The dealer pops a 9 to counterfeit his pair of 8's so I double up.
The moral of this tale is don't call with a weak A!
Hand 4 - blinds 600/1200 ante 200
We are now down to 24 players. Only 9 get paid and the average stack is about 70k. I have about 30,000 so I am pretty much in all-in territory. I pick up 88 on the button and when it is folded around to me I make a standard raise of 3.5k. The big blind calls. Flop is Q53 with 2 clubs - he checks so I bet 6000 to see if he has a Q - he calls. The turn is a red 4 and he checks to me. I decide to see the river and it comes Kd. He checks again and I bet 8k. He has a massive stack and reraises me all-in. I think he is bullying me and call but he shows q7 to knock me out. I don't think I played it very well at all - I should have just shown down at the river.
My excuse is that it had been a bit of a marathon and I was looking to double or quit. I am sure Gareth would not have cracked here.
Hopefully another lesson learned...
Sunday, 13 July 2008
WSOP 2008 - Back home
A quick retrospective on my week in Vegas.
Railbird seems to rather like the place - she has stayed on for the last 3 nights at the Wynn - I hope she will be well behaved without me to keep an eye on her.
I tried a few table games - there were several different ones and got a couple of flukey wins to make me a $1000 winner on them overall.
I played a couple more tournaments - Thursday $550 at the Venetian - unfortunately my Aces were cracked by Jacks - so Aces 4 times this week. One time I picked up the blinds, once I tied with another pair of Aces and the other two times they were cracked. The other tournament was at the Wynn a $200 60 runner affair. I got trapped with a big blind special - one of those typical flops where my hand of A6 of diamonds looked like it had turned into a monster when the flop came 642 with 2 diamonds. However my opponent had limped with 53 and I did not improve. This knocked me down to 600 chips with the blinds at 200/400. I went all in with Q6 on the button after one limper - I was called by the BB and the limper. They had A7 and AT but I hit my 6. A round later I went all-in again on the button with J7 and the BB thought forever before calling with AK - and was suprised I has such a poor hand - clearly a cash game player. I got luck again to hit my jack. So now I had 3000 chips and when I limped with AK under the gun had 2 limpers followed by a raise from the cut off I was happy to go all-in. He called with 45 and got a straight - ironic.
So on poker tournaments I was $1000 down.
On my last night I decide to try a cash game - 2/5 no limit. Got KK quite early so was up to $700 after buying in for $500. However I got involved in a limped pot with 34 in the BB. When the flop came 34K with 2 clubs I led out for $20 pot bet and got 2 callers. Turn was a 7. I bet $75 and one caller. River was T, and now there was no flush. I bet $150 and he reraises me all-in. Oh s**t. I should have folded but somehow the word call escaped my lips - oh dear - he had turned a straight.
I was down to $250 and hoping to get involved with a crazy drunk Serbian who was raising everything and the very next hand I get AT spades in the SB. The serbian raises to $50 (his usual opening bet) in mid position. One call from beardy on the button who has had a few run-ins with the serb. I reraise all-in. The serbian of course shoves over the top for $500. Beardy thinks and calls eventually. I am not surprised to see the serb table T8 but when beardy shows 87 it is a bit of a shock. The dealer, of course, flops QJ9 and no get out for me. I should have reloaded but I had just had enough and slunk off to bed.
So my total gambling loss was $500 for the week - perfectly acceptable.
I would be very happy to return to the Wynn - but not sure whether I will be able to afford it.
...and finally a tip if you fly to Vegas - check in online a few hours before flying back and turn up at the airport about 1 hour and a quarter before your flight time and you won't have to queue for ages.
Railbird seems to rather like the place - she has stayed on for the last 3 nights at the Wynn - I hope she will be well behaved without me to keep an eye on her.
I tried a few table games - there were several different ones and got a couple of flukey wins to make me a $1000 winner on them overall.
I played a couple more tournaments - Thursday $550 at the Venetian - unfortunately my Aces were cracked by Jacks - so Aces 4 times this week. One time I picked up the blinds, once I tied with another pair of Aces and the other two times they were cracked. The other tournament was at the Wynn a $200 60 runner affair. I got trapped with a big blind special - one of those typical flops where my hand of A6 of diamonds looked like it had turned into a monster when the flop came 642 with 2 diamonds. However my opponent had limped with 53 and I did not improve. This knocked me down to 600 chips with the blinds at 200/400. I went all in with Q6 on the button after one limper - I was called by the BB and the limper. They had A7 and AT but I hit my 6. A round later I went all-in again on the button with J7 and the BB thought forever before calling with AK - and was suprised I has such a poor hand - clearly a cash game player. I got luck again to hit my jack. So now I had 3000 chips and when I limped with AK under the gun had 2 limpers followed by a raise from the cut off I was happy to go all-in. He called with 45 and got a straight - ironic.
So on poker tournaments I was $1000 down.
On my last night I decide to try a cash game - 2/5 no limit. Got KK quite early so was up to $700 after buying in for $500. However I got involved in a limped pot with 34 in the BB. When the flop came 34K with 2 clubs I led out for $20 pot bet and got 2 callers. Turn was a 7. I bet $75 and one caller. River was T, and now there was no flush. I bet $150 and he reraises me all-in. Oh s**t. I should have folded but somehow the word call escaped my lips - oh dear - he had turned a straight.
I was down to $250 and hoping to get involved with a crazy drunk Serbian who was raising everything and the very next hand I get AT spades in the SB. The serbian raises to $50 (his usual opening bet) in mid position. One call from beardy on the button who has had a few run-ins with the serb. I reraise all-in. The serbian of course shoves over the top for $500. Beardy thinks and calls eventually. I am not surprised to see the serb table T8 but when beardy shows 87 it is a bit of a shock. The dealer, of course, flops QJ9 and no get out for me. I should have reloaded but I had just had enough and slunk off to bed.
So my total gambling loss was $500 for the week - perfectly acceptable.
I would be very happy to return to the Wynn - but not sure whether I will be able to afford it.
...and finally a tip if you fly to Vegas - check in online a few hours before flying back and turn up at the airport about 1 hour and a quarter before your flight time and you won't have to queue for ages.
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
WSOP 2008 - Day 5 - a familiar story
This is becoming a bit of a habit.
When I had my first go at the main event in the WSOP I made it into the second day. In the first session I ended up in a big pot with my opponent needing to hit one of only 3 cards in the deck - he did.
This time I pick up pocket rockets (AA to those unfamliar with the jargon) on the button (last to act). I always peak at my cards straight away so as each player is deciding what to do I am thinking come on raise and joy of joys the man to my right raises to 1200 (blinds are 250/500/with 50 ante). I reraise to 2500 and then the BB, who has a massive stack goes all-in. The original raiser folds and I of course call - confirming the BB's question - do you have the Aces? He has KK but the m*therf*ng dealer flops him a third cowboy sending me to the rail.
I return to the Betfair lounge to discover I am not alone, there has been similar carnage elsewhere.
I rush off to the Venetian where there is a 600 runner deepstack event with buy-in of $300. I just get in before the first break. Unfortunately soon after I lose $2000 of my starting stack of $10000 after making a big raise with TT and continuing on a flop of Q98. With turn K I have to fold to a bet. With blinds 100/200 and 25 ante I call a raise all-in of a short stack who has about 5000 when holding AQs on the BB. His TT holds up. I then move all-in for my last 2500 from late position with KJd, but the BB wakes up with KQ and I am out.
So not a good day at the office....
When I had my first go at the main event in the WSOP I made it into the second day. In the first session I ended up in a big pot with my opponent needing to hit one of only 3 cards in the deck - he did.
This time I pick up pocket rockets (AA to those unfamliar with the jargon) on the button (last to act). I always peak at my cards straight away so as each player is deciding what to do I am thinking come on raise and joy of joys the man to my right raises to 1200 (blinds are 250/500/with 50 ante). I reraise to 2500 and then the BB, who has a massive stack goes all-in. The original raiser folds and I of course call - confirming the BB's question - do you have the Aces? He has KK but the m*therf*ng dealer flops him a third cowboy sending me to the rail.
I return to the Betfair lounge to discover I am not alone, there has been similar carnage elsewhere.
I rush off to the Venetian where there is a 600 runner deepstack event with buy-in of $300. I just get in before the first break. Unfortunately soon after I lose $2000 of my starting stack of $10000 after making a big raise with TT and continuing on a flop of Q98. With turn K I have to fold to a bet. With blinds 100/200 and 25 ante I call a raise all-in of a short stack who has about 5000 when holding AQs on the BB. His TT holds up. I then move all-in for my last 2500 from late position with KJd, but the BB wakes up with KQ and I am out.
So not a good day at the office....
WSOP 2008 - Day 4 - Hugo nearly makes it
Fellow big game player and Betfair team member Hugo was down to only 3000 chips at the start of the second day. He managed to cling on until the penultimate hand of the day before being eliminated - a very good effort. I shall have to match his patience if I can.
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
WSOP 2008 - Day 3 - and Relax
Today is our day off - but no rest for us. We go off to the Las Vegas Outlet mall for cheap shopping and I manage to get 2 pairs of Levis for $60 - bargain. Without wishing to diss the RB this trips takes a bit longer than it has in the past.
Back to the Wynn for a party by the pool in some Cabanas hired by Betfair. RB reports that to hire a parasol here is $400 a pop so I suspect we will not be in one of these again on our own account.
Have got a few links for you:
Bluff magazine report on my day : http://www.bluffmagazine.com/poker-news/WSOP-Main-Event%3A-Day-1d-Recap-1486.htm
Official WSOP update page : http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/tourney/updates.asp
Betfair blog:http://betting.betfair.com/wsop/
After dinner we go to see Love - the Beatles show at the Mirage. I went to this last year but more than happy to go again - it really is excellent. In some ways the show itself is a bit irrelevant - just hearing the music properly is quite amazing - even for an old cynic like me.
Got to get to the Rio promptly at midday tomorrow to make sure we don't miss Hugo's start - he's only got 3,400 chips left!
Back to the Wynn for a party by the pool in some Cabanas hired by Betfair. RB reports that to hire a parasol here is $400 a pop so I suspect we will not be in one of these again on our own account.
Have got a few links for you:
Bluff magazine report on my day : http://www.bluffmagazine.com/poker-news/WSOP-Main-Event%3A-Day-1d-Recap-1486.htm
Official WSOP update page : http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/tourney/updates.asp
Betfair blog:http://betting.betfair.com/wsop/
After dinner we go to see Love - the Beatles show at the Mirage. I went to this last year but more than happy to go again - it really is excellent. In some ways the show itself is a bit irrelevant - just hearing the music properly is quite amazing - even for an old cynic like me.
Got to get to the Rio promptly at midday tomorrow to make sure we don't miss Hugo's start - he's only got 3,400 chips left!
Monday, 7 July 2008
WSOP 2008 - Day 2D - Rollercoaster
After dinner the blinds go up to 150/300 with a 25 ante.
Not much happens for an hour apart from reraising from the small blind with QQ after a standard button raise, which gets me 1500 - then I play a couple of hands with "the King".
Hand 1 - I am getting a bit bored so raise with KQ both clubs from mid position. Unfortunately the King calls from the cut-off and everyone else folds. Flop is Q75 with 2 hearts so I bet 2K - he calls. This makes me nervous. I think he is good enough to fold a heart draw, but may be he has Ah so fancies seeing another card. Turn is a 9. I am a bit of a wuss and check and he does too. When an A comes on the river I check again ready to fold, but he checks too - I show my KQ and he shows one queen too. Not sure if this is a moral victory.
Hand 2 - This costs me a ton of chips - perhaps I could have played it better. I am dealt AK both diamonds in late position and I raise a limper to 2k and the king calls from the button. The limper folds so the pot is about 5k. Flop is AQT with 2 spades. I am pretty sure the king will bet so I check and when he bets 2k I reraise a further 5k on top. He then goes back over the top for another 10k. This is pretty much 2/3 of my stack so I am going to have to go all-in or fold. I dwell for a bit and decide to fold - was this wise or weak - I don't know.
Anyway this means I only have 12k at the final break and when we resume with 200/400 blinds with a 50 ante I am struggling. I manage to limp with KQc and when the flop comes 467 all clubs I call a 1.5k bet hoping to catch a break on the turn - but it is 9d and when he bets 5k I have to give it up. I am now down to 8k and looking for an all-in spot.
At last I get that quality hand K7s and decide to reraise Chris Lee who has limped from late position. I pile all my chips in the middle, everyone else folds and he thinks for a bit then folds saying that he does not think I would not make the move without a strong hand. All that tight play earlier pays off.
A few hands later I get 92 in the BB and when there is a min raise plus call from the SB I decide to take the substantial pot odds and call. The flop comes 876 with 2 diamonds and the gifted amateur bets a derisory 2k. He does not have many more chips than me, so I figure him for a draw, so decide to go all-in. The original raiser folds and he thinks forever before folding.
I am starting to claw my way back when I pick up QQ in the big blind. I decide to just call a 2k raise from GA - I think he is pretty much pot committed so he won't be folding to a raise, so I'd like to see a flop. Sure enough when an A comes he bets out and I make a pretty easy lay down.
Then with 30 mins to go I catch my big break. I have AQ in the big blind and the Milwaukee kid makes a standard raise from mid position of 1500 to go. Chris Lee just calls, so when it comes round to me I decide to push. MK starts thinking and I am pretty sure he must have AQ AJ or a lower pair than QQ - because by now he has a big stack so does not really need to get involved. He mutters a lot and then folds. However when CL calls instantly I know I am in trouble - and he flips AK. I can't believe he just called with that hand given how aggressive he had been all day. However a beautiful laydee appears on the flop for me to suck out horribly and pull in a stack of chips. This is slight justice because he inflicted a similar beat on the king earlier.
I keep out of trouble and on the very last hand of the night I pick up AJ both hearts. I raise and get 2 callers and the dealer flops me a nut flush. Rather stupidly I bet 1500 and everyone folds in a hurry - but never mind I have 32,000 chips to take into Wednesday - yippeee!
Not much happens for an hour apart from reraising from the small blind with QQ after a standard button raise, which gets me 1500 - then I play a couple of hands with "the King".
Hand 1 - I am getting a bit bored so raise with KQ both clubs from mid position. Unfortunately the King calls from the cut-off and everyone else folds. Flop is Q75 with 2 hearts so I bet 2K - he calls. This makes me nervous. I think he is good enough to fold a heart draw, but may be he has Ah so fancies seeing another card. Turn is a 9. I am a bit of a wuss and check and he does too. When an A comes on the river I check again ready to fold, but he checks too - I show my KQ and he shows one queen too. Not sure if this is a moral victory.
Hand 2 - This costs me a ton of chips - perhaps I could have played it better. I am dealt AK both diamonds in late position and I raise a limper to 2k and the king calls from the button. The limper folds so the pot is about 5k. Flop is AQT with 2 spades. I am pretty sure the king will bet so I check and when he bets 2k I reraise a further 5k on top. He then goes back over the top for another 10k. This is pretty much 2/3 of my stack so I am going to have to go all-in or fold. I dwell for a bit and decide to fold - was this wise or weak - I don't know.
Anyway this means I only have 12k at the final break and when we resume with 200/400 blinds with a 50 ante I am struggling. I manage to limp with KQc and when the flop comes 467 all clubs I call a 1.5k bet hoping to catch a break on the turn - but it is 9d and when he bets 5k I have to give it up. I am now down to 8k and looking for an all-in spot.
At last I get that quality hand K7s and decide to reraise Chris Lee who has limped from late position. I pile all my chips in the middle, everyone else folds and he thinks for a bit then folds saying that he does not think I would not make the move without a strong hand. All that tight play earlier pays off.
A few hands later I get 92 in the BB and when there is a min raise plus call from the SB I decide to take the substantial pot odds and call. The flop comes 876 with 2 diamonds and the gifted amateur bets a derisory 2k. He does not have many more chips than me, so I figure him for a draw, so decide to go all-in. The original raiser folds and he thinks forever before folding.
I am starting to claw my way back when I pick up QQ in the big blind. I decide to just call a 2k raise from GA - I think he is pretty much pot committed so he won't be folding to a raise, so I'd like to see a flop. Sure enough when an A comes he bets out and I make a pretty easy lay down.
Then with 30 mins to go I catch my big break. I have AQ in the big blind and the Milwaukee kid makes a standard raise from mid position of 1500 to go. Chris Lee just calls, so when it comes round to me I decide to push. MK starts thinking and I am pretty sure he must have AQ AJ or a lower pair than QQ - because by now he has a big stack so does not really need to get involved. He mutters a lot and then folds. However when CL calls instantly I know I am in trouble - and he flips AK. I can't believe he just called with that hand given how aggressive he had been all day. However a beautiful laydee appears on the flop for me to suck out horribly and pull in a stack of chips. This is slight justice because he inflicted a similar beat on the king earlier.
I keep out of trouble and on the very last hand of the night I pick up AJ both hearts. I raise and get 2 callers and the dealer flops me a nut flush. Rather stupidly I bet 1500 and everyone folds in a hurry - but never mind I have 32,000 chips to take into Wednesday - yippeee!
Sunday, 6 July 2008
WSOP 2008 - Day 2C - Too much Corona at Dinner
Level 2 - Blinds 100/200
I work my stack up to 24k by the second break. This is mainly down to one hand where I raised with 2 red kings from mid position and then just called a pretty big reraise from tight girl rather than recklessly move all-in. When the flop comes 579 with 2 spades I check raise her 2,500 bet with a further 5,000 on top to give her the wrong odds to call if she has the plausible AKs. She folded.
Level 3 - Blinds 150/300
After the excitement of Aces and Kings I get little action in this session. The Milwaukee kid is drinking more and more beer and has one epic hand where he manages not to do his entire stack when holding a Q into a board of AAQ7Q. After this good laydown he gets JJ vs Amir's AQ and they hold up which doubles him up from 6k. He then goes on a bit of a tear up to work his way up to 50k at the end of the day.
I fold AJ twice under the gun and a pair of 8's in the small blind after a reraise - move over Gareth I am now the tight play king. Towards the end of the session I reraise the gifted amateur with AK both spades. So what flop do I not want to see? something like QJ6 with 2 diamonds. He bets 4k into the 6k pot and I make an easy laydown. Given his preflop play and the fact he is playing tighter than me there is no way he could have raised preflop with the only hand I am beating of AT.
At the end of this level we are on dinner break and I dutifully report to the Betfair scorer my stack of 18,000 and they put this on their whiteboard. This is not too bad but I think I am going to have to make a move after dinner so I chose to have a couple of Coronas to wash down the excellent meatballs we are served in the Betfair room as suitable preparation. RB is tucking into the white wine and has been doing good subversive work chatting to the other WAGs on the rail just before the break - hopefully their other halves will be tilting after dinner.
I work my stack up to 24k by the second break. This is mainly down to one hand where I raised with 2 red kings from mid position and then just called a pretty big reraise from tight girl rather than recklessly move all-in. When the flop comes 579 with 2 spades I check raise her 2,500 bet with a further 5,000 on top to give her the wrong odds to call if she has the plausible AKs. She folded.
Level 3 - Blinds 150/300
After the excitement of Aces and Kings I get little action in this session. The Milwaukee kid is drinking more and more beer and has one epic hand where he manages not to do his entire stack when holding a Q into a board of AAQ7Q. After this good laydown he gets JJ vs Amir's AQ and they hold up which doubles him up from 6k. He then goes on a bit of a tear up to work his way up to 50k at the end of the day.
I fold AJ twice under the gun and a pair of 8's in the small blind after a reraise - move over Gareth I am now the tight play king. Towards the end of the session I reraise the gifted amateur with AK both spades. So what flop do I not want to see? something like QJ6 with 2 diamonds. He bets 4k into the 6k pot and I make an easy laydown. Given his preflop play and the fact he is playing tighter than me there is no way he could have raised preflop with the only hand I am beating of AT.
At the end of this level we are on dinner break and I dutifully report to the Betfair scorer my stack of 18,000 and they put this on their whiteboard. This is not too bad but I think I am going to have to make a move after dinner so I chose to have a couple of Coronas to wash down the excellent meatballs we are served in the Betfair room as suitable preparation. RB is tucking into the white wine and has been doing good subversive work chatting to the other WAGs on the rail just before the break - hopefully their other halves will be tilting after dinner.
WSOP 2008 - Day 2B - A tale of 8 Aces
Ok this is the part for the nerdy mathematicians out there (apparently mathematicians are now hot according to Cosmo - so here is your chance).
Dealers work in 30 minute shifts on each table and probaby deal around 15 hands in that time. This dealer manages to deal AA to 2 players in a single hand not once, but twice. How likely is that? References to "more likely than Elvis being the dealer", "England getting a decent rugby team together" etc. etc. appreciated.
Anyway I got to the break with 20,000 chips - the same as we started with. We play each session for 2 hours, followed by 15 minutes off. The first session has blinds of 50/100.
I have decided to play tighter than a tight thing and early I fold to a raise and reraise holding AK suited (I know you would find this easy Gareth but I don't).
We then get the first AA vs AA between tight lady and Chris Lee. Somehow they only get about half their chips in pre flop but they are all in the middle when the flop come Q96 with 2 spades. Dealer makes it interesting when he turns another spade to give Chris a draw to a flush, but luckily no spade comes on the river and they split.
Then about 15 minutes later I pick up AA in mid position. I raise to 300. The button reraises to 1200 - I think Christmas - this guy has KK or AK and I am going to get him. I reraise to 2500 but when he goes all-in and I call flipping my cards over we are all loling (sorry laughing out loud) when we see AA vs AA again. The crowd goes wild - and we split 150 chips between us.
Rather annoyingly I get AA about 30 minutes later and everyone folds to my reraise. It's a funny old game.
Dealers work in 30 minute shifts on each table and probaby deal around 15 hands in that time. This dealer manages to deal AA to 2 players in a single hand not once, but twice. How likely is that? References to "more likely than Elvis being the dealer", "England getting a decent rugby team together" etc. etc. appreciated.
Anyway I got to the break with 20,000 chips - the same as we started with. We play each session for 2 hours, followed by 15 minutes off. The first session has blinds of 50/100.
I have decided to play tighter than a tight thing and early I fold to a raise and reraise holding AK suited (I know you would find this easy Gareth but I don't).
We then get the first AA vs AA between tight lady and Chris Lee. Somehow they only get about half their chips in pre flop but they are all in the middle when the flop come Q96 with 2 spades. Dealer makes it interesting when he turns another spade to give Chris a draw to a flush, but luckily no spade comes on the river and they split.
Then about 15 minutes later I pick up AA in mid position. I raise to 300. The button reraises to 1200 - I think Christmas - this guy has KK or AK and I am going to get him. I reraise to 2500 but when he goes all-in and I call flipping my cards over we are all loling (sorry laughing out loud) when we see AA vs AA again. The crowd goes wild - and we split 150 chips between us.
Rather annoyingly I get AA about 30 minutes later and everyone folds to my reraise. It's a funny old game.
WSOP 2008 - Day 2A - Shuffle Up and Deal
Today was the big day. Had breakfast in Venice where RB discovered the joys of scrambled egg with onion - we thought that was basically an omelette...
Headed for the Rio and had a look around the poker show before kick off. Much more up market than last year - no Dunk the Stripper this time instead a load of speedboats (?). The Aussie millions boys were there but no particular deals for the tournament next January in Melbourne.
Got to my table in plenty of time - I am in an overflow room (the Brasilia) off the main one, but thankfully they have dispensed with the big tent from last year.
My table turns out to be pretty much fish free which helps keep me focused for the day. There is one well known pro - Amir Vahedi - http://www.pokerpages.com/players/profiles/13456/amir-vahedi.htm. I play a couple of hands with him later. There are a couple of big internet players - the guy who I get my dose of good fortune against is Chris Lee http://www.pokerstarsblog.com/2007/01/2007-pca-day-1b-ends.html.
I am in seat 9, immediately to the right of the dealer - considered by some to be the worse seat. But actually I quite like it - you can look at your cards with no danger of anyone else sneaking a peek.
I categorise the rest of the table as follows:
Seat 1 - the quiet man - never said a word all day - think he was a Lithuanian
Seat 2 - Amir "the King" Vahedi.
Seat 3 - tight girl - a scots born jewess (as she delights in telling us) who acts absolutely according to the stereotype
Seat 4 - 24 tables - a pokerstars pro - is attempting to become a pokerstars "super elite" player by playing 24 tables at a time on-line - surely this can't be possible!!! I have a freaky hand with him later.
Seat 5 - the Milwaukee kid - drinks impressive amounts of beer during the afternoon - clearly knows what he is doing beneath the drunken bum exterior
Seat 6 - the agressive oriental - Chris Lee - a well known online player
Seat 7 - surfer dude - an old boy of 70 from california - he is an aspiring actor - well voice-over anway
Seat 8 - the gifted amateur - he had made it to a final table a couple of weeks ago and was well happy with his appearance on ESPN. He is a cardiologist from florida - could have needed him at several times during the day
Seat 9 - the actuary - don't mess with him
Headed for the Rio and had a look around the poker show before kick off. Much more up market than last year - no Dunk the Stripper this time instead a load of speedboats (?). The Aussie millions boys were there but no particular deals for the tournament next January in Melbourne.
Got to my table in plenty of time - I am in an overflow room (the Brasilia) off the main one, but thankfully they have dispensed with the big tent from last year.
My table turns out to be pretty much fish free which helps keep me focused for the day. There is one well known pro - Amir Vahedi - http://www.pokerpages.com/players/profiles/13456/amir-vahedi.htm. I play a couple of hands with him later. There are a couple of big internet players - the guy who I get my dose of good fortune against is Chris Lee http://www.pokerstarsblog.com/2007/01/2007-pca-day-1b-ends.html.
I am in seat 9, immediately to the right of the dealer - considered by some to be the worse seat. But actually I quite like it - you can look at your cards with no danger of anyone else sneaking a peek.
I categorise the rest of the table as follows:
Seat 1 - the quiet man - never said a word all day - think he was a Lithuanian
Seat 2 - Amir "the King" Vahedi.
Seat 3 - tight girl - a scots born jewess (as she delights in telling us) who acts absolutely according to the stereotype
Seat 4 - 24 tables - a pokerstars pro - is attempting to become a pokerstars "super elite" player by playing 24 tables at a time on-line - surely this can't be possible!!! I have a freaky hand with him later.
Seat 5 - the Milwaukee kid - drinks impressive amounts of beer during the afternoon - clearly knows what he is doing beneath the drunken bum exterior
Seat 6 - the agressive oriental - Chris Lee - a well known online player
Seat 7 - surfer dude - an old boy of 70 from california - he is an aspiring actor - well voice-over anway
Seat 8 - the gifted amateur - he had made it to a final table a couple of weeks ago and was well happy with his appearance on ESPN. He is a cardiologist from florida - could have needed him at several times during the day
Seat 9 - the actuary - don't mess with him
Saturday, 5 July 2008
WSOP 2008 - Day 1 - Drop the pilot
Had a pretty good journey despite the delayed take-off at Gatwick. We were all ready to go when our chief trolley dolly said we were waiting for one more person to arrive - the bloody captain of the ship. We speculated he was still in the bar...
Remarkably the plane was not full so me and the railbird (as my wingwoman Jo Scott will be referred to for this trip) had the luxury of a spare seat in our 3. Even better was the absence of a major queue at customs. RB was somewhat delayed as the person in front of her was pulled off for a full body search, but she resisted the temptation to run through the empty channel in a desperate bid for freedom which could have sent her straight back to blighty.
RB had been speculating about the weather but luckily she had her sweater ready as we emerged into the 41 degree centigrade heat.
Off we went to our luxurious hotel the Wynn and we managed not to mention the war once in conversation with our taxi driver. I am not sure whether we will pull this off for the many rides to come.
After freshening up in a shower with a seating area within a bathroom containing an lcd tv and his and her washbasins, RB declared herself satisfied with the room and the view from 25 floors up.
We headed to the Rio so I could sign in and pick up my Betfair goodies and our VIP passes entitling us to entry into the betfair lounge for free booze, snacks and wii playing. Spotted my first poker celebrity - Annette Oberwhatsit - she is tiny - but wields a big stack.
Found that my aussie poker mate Steve is already here and he is "coaching" a poker babe Lacey Jones http://www.bankrollboost.com/lacey-jones.php. I will now shamelessly name drop the other poker celeb who joined me, RB, Steve and Lacey for an attempted fast food meal during the dinner break - none other than the flying dutchman Marcel Luske. Did not have time for small talk as we wolfed down some rapidly griddled Tapinaki - rather spoiled by the guy cleaning the griddle as we ate with lemon and vinegar and copious amounts of steam engulfing us.
Spotted Gareth's bird (Clownie) - she was looking pretty well stacked.
Saw an absurd hand at Laceys table. Board is showing 77AA3. Bet on the river of 5k raised to 15k which is called. Raiser shows A for full house and caller shows 77...wtf. If you don't go all in with quad 4's you might as well through yourself off the Voodoo Lounge balcony.
Anyway time to snooze at 6.00 am UK time, ready for the big day tomorrow.
Remarkably the plane was not full so me and the railbird (as my wingwoman Jo Scott will be referred to for this trip) had the luxury of a spare seat in our 3. Even better was the absence of a major queue at customs. RB was somewhat delayed as the person in front of her was pulled off for a full body search, but she resisted the temptation to run through the empty channel in a desperate bid for freedom which could have sent her straight back to blighty.
RB had been speculating about the weather but luckily she had her sweater ready as we emerged into the 41 degree centigrade heat.
Off we went to our luxurious hotel the Wynn and we managed not to mention the war once in conversation with our taxi driver. I am not sure whether we will pull this off for the many rides to come.
After freshening up in a shower with a seating area within a bathroom containing an lcd tv and his and her washbasins, RB declared herself satisfied with the room and the view from 25 floors up.
We headed to the Rio so I could sign in and pick up my Betfair goodies and our VIP passes entitling us to entry into the betfair lounge for free booze, snacks and wii playing. Spotted my first poker celebrity - Annette Oberwhatsit - she is tiny - but wields a big stack.
Found that my aussie poker mate Steve is already here and he is "coaching" a poker babe Lacey Jones http://www.bankrollboost.com/lacey-jones.php. I will now shamelessly name drop the other poker celeb who joined me, RB, Steve and Lacey for an attempted fast food meal during the dinner break - none other than the flying dutchman Marcel Luske. Did not have time for small talk as we wolfed down some rapidly griddled Tapinaki - rather spoiled by the guy cleaning the griddle as we ate with lemon and vinegar and copious amounts of steam engulfing us.
Spotted Gareth's bird (Clownie) - she was looking pretty well stacked.
Saw an absurd hand at Laceys table. Board is showing 77AA3. Bet on the river of 5k raised to 15k which is called. Raiser shows A for full house and caller shows 77...wtf. If you don't go all in with quad 4's you might as well through yourself off the Voodoo Lounge balcony.
Anyway time to snooze at 6.00 am UK time, ready for the big day tomorrow.
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Going to Vegas - thanks to Betfair
As you can tell from the absence of posts, I never quite got round to the disciplined approach to qualifying.
Instead after several attempts on Pokerstars and Ladbrokes, I finally got lucky on Befair's $500 buy-in satellite for the WSOPE where the fourth prize was a Las Vegas seat.
I shall be flying tomorrow and here is hoping the trip will be rather cheaper than the stag weekend I went to earlier this year.
Instead after several attempts on Pokerstars and Ladbrokes, I finally got lucky on Befair's $500 buy-in satellite for the WSOPE where the fourth prize was a Las Vegas seat.
I shall be flying tomorrow and here is hoping the trip will be rather cheaper than the stag weekend I went to earlier this year.
Tuesday, 1 January 2008
Poker 2008 - Destination Vegas
After a pretty disasterous 2007, this year I am going to follow Chris Ferguson's bankroll management rules and try to record my poker performance properly.
The rules are:
1 Never spend more than 5% of your bankroll on any 1 sit and go tournament or cash game
2 Never spend more than 2% of your bankroll on any multitable tournament.
My goal is to win my entry into the World Series of Poker in July - which costs $10,000.
I am going to set my bankroll at $10000 and see how I get on...
The rules are:
1 Never spend more than 5% of your bankroll on any 1 sit and go tournament or cash game
2 Never spend more than 2% of your bankroll on any multitable tournament.
My goal is to win my entry into the World Series of Poker in July - which costs $10,000.
I am going to set my bankroll at $10000 and see how I get on...
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