I did manage to get one shot at a step 3 and a few repeat attempts at step 2s... but I didn't get a whole lot of 'run good' tonight, so it's just the one step 4 ticket, with which I shall win next week's Sunday Warm-Up.
One [more] time!!
Monday, November 08, 2010
Slight Cock-Up On The Maths Front...
As step 2 tickets are worth $27 each, the current value is $296. Not $461 as stated below.
Sunday, November 07, 2010
The Best Laid Plans...
Soon go out the window. Well not totally, but a couple of MTTs have diverted some of the funds from Multiple Step1s >>> Sunday Warm-Up Wins quest.
Still all is not lost, although all the cash has gone I now have 3 x Step 2 and 1 x Step 4 tickets. These have a notional value of $461, so a pretty decent return on the original $100.
Pigeons game tonight, so the first crack at the SWU will be next Sunday.
Still all is not lost, although all the cash has gone I now have 3 x Step 2 and 1 x Step 4 tickets. These have a notional value of $461, so a pretty decent return on the original $100.
Pigeons game tonight, so the first crack at the SWU will be next Sunday.
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Just Follow Steps One, Two & Three (and Four)...
I had me a hankering for some online pokering last night, so went ahead and put $100 in Stars.
A few hours, and $30 later, and I have a $215 Step 4 ticket just crying out for me to take a tilt at the Sunday Warm-Up next week. I also have a Step 2 ticket and $70 remaining.
So, we now have plan... to spin up that $100 into more money than Paul could lose, playing spoof, "for all the tea in China", in two lifetimes... via the medium of Steps SnGs and Sunday Warm-Ups... and all by Xmas!
A few hours, and $30 later, and I have a $215 Step 4 ticket just crying out for me to take a tilt at the Sunday Warm-Up next week. I also have a Step 2 ticket and $70 remaining.
So, we now have plan... to spin up that $100 into more money than Paul could lose, playing spoof, "for all the tea in China", in two lifetimes... via the medium of Steps SnGs and Sunday Warm-Ups... and all by Xmas!
October Summary...
- Lost the bit of money in Betfair (subject of last blog).
- Won 1, Lost 2 at The Big Game (Pigeons).
- Made day 2 and min cash at APAT Luton, but more importantly, gaining a 4th HMDB entry to go back to being one ahead of Rich. ;-p
- Had a Doh!.. Yay!.. DOH!... YAAAY!!.. JUST FUCK RIGHT OFF!!! moment, when playing a €15R sat to the DTD £300... All-in PF with 77 v AA, board x7A.. 7.. A [ ] I laughed!
- T3 in div II, Monthly Stableford comp, placed 4th on countback - bastards!
- Crashed & burned in lev 5 at DTD Grand Prix, proceeded to get pissed while playing 50p/£1 NLH and somehow came away +£80.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Poker Re-Visited!!!
I've not played any poker for several weeks (we don't count the Pigeons game... It's poker Jim, but not as we know it!)... Having read that there is a new Betfair app for android phones, I decide to install it onto Marvin... and then find I've got a fiver in Betfair that I didn't know about.
I enter a $5.50 30-man sng and put the rest ($2+) on a 10c/10c 6-max PLO table. After about 35 mins I cashed out $13+ from the PLO game and then went on to take 2nd in the tourney for $34.50.
This online poker's a piece of cake!
Off to Okehampton in the morning for 5 days of golf... it's tough old job, but someone's got to do it.
I enter a $5.50 30-man sng and put the rest ($2+) on a 10c/10c 6-max PLO table. After about 35 mins I cashed out $13+ from the PLO game and then went on to take 2nd in the tourney for $34.50.
This online poker's a piece of cake!
Off to Okehampton in the morning for 5 days of golf... it's tough old job, but someone's got to do it.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Buying Money...
I never realised that 'buying money' was so easy?!? £5 on 'The Mighty Hammers' at 30 on the betfairs... wiat til 'The Mighty Hammers' are two up and 'Green Up'.
This time next year Rodeny, we'll be...............
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
SIGS Matchplay Final...
So that's it then, the first piece of golfing silverware in the bag... The prestigious Smiths Industries Golf Society 'Nicholl Matchplay Trophy'.
Another really close match at Burford Golf Club, this time against 'The Fireman's Father'. I was ahead all the way round, although by no more than two holes, until the short par 3 15th... three shots to get out of a [deep] greenside bunker and we were all-square.
I then lost the 16th, one of the four holes where I had to give up a shot... one down, two to play, pressure on!
It seemed like neither of us wanted to get the ball in the hole on the 17th, but eventually I won the hole 6 strokes to 7... back to all-square.
And then cometh the hour, cometh the man!! An OK drive at the 360yd, par 4 final hole, left me with exactly 150yds to the centre of the green. Then the shot of the day... an arrow straight 6-iron to the heart of the green, about 10ft from the flag. Two putts was good enough to take the hole and the match.
Another really close match at Burford Golf Club, this time against 'The Fireman's Father'. I was ahead all the way round, although by no more than two holes, until the short par 3 15th... three shots to get out of a [deep] greenside bunker and we were all-square.
I then lost the 16th, one of the four holes where I had to give up a shot... one down, two to play, pressure on!
It seemed like neither of us wanted to get the ball in the hole on the 17th, but eventually I won the hole 6 strokes to 7... back to all-square.
And then cometh the hour, cometh the man!! An OK drive at the 360yd, par 4 final hole, left me with exactly 150yds to the centre of the green. Then the shot of the day... an arrow straight 6-iron to the heart of the green, about 10ft from the flag. Two putts was good enough to take the hole and the match.
Saturday, August 07, 2010
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Today At The Golf Pitch...
We played all 18 holes! Although Neal did receive one warning from the umpire for 'raquet abuse' at the 16th tee... after slicing his tee shot about 80 yds right, back onto the 15th tee, he then hurled his driver up the field... unfortunately he pulled it a bit and missed the fairway on the left!
Neal actually got away to the better start, winning the first two holes with a par and a birdie... but a couple of sevens spoiled the front nine for him. At the half way point it was honours even at 47 strokes each. Neither of us played the back nine particularly well, although I should add that following the incident reported above, Neal went on to hit the 16th green with his second shot and then make two putts for a par.
No real highlights in my round, just steady scoring... with the exception of an 11 at the 13th, playing 5 off the tee after pulling the first two drives out of bounds. In the end I shot a total of 99, beating Neal by 2 or 3 strokes.
Neal actually got away to the better start, winning the first two holes with a par and a birdie... but a couple of sevens spoiled the front nine for him. At the half way point it was honours even at 47 strokes each. Neither of us played the back nine particularly well, although I should add that following the incident reported above, Neal went on to hit the 16th green with his second shot and then make two putts for a par.
No real highlights in my round, just steady scoring... with the exception of an 11 at the 13th, playing 5 off the tee after pulling the first two drives out of bounds. In the end I shot a total of 99, beating Neal by 2 or 3 strokes.
Monday, August 02, 2010
Playing Golf With Neal T on Wed...
I'm thinking 50p / hole for the first 6... £1 / hole for 7-12... and £10 / hole for 13-18!!
In our two previous meetings, on a grown up's course, Neal's frustration got the better of him and he walked off on the 12th and the 7th. ;-)
In our two previous meetings, on a grown up's course, Neal's frustration got the better of him and he walked off on the 12th and the 7th. ;-)
Neal on a golf course yesterdayFriday, July 30, 2010
SIGS Matchplay Semi-Final...
It was a game of two and a bit halves, at Burford Golf Club, playing against 'The Brief'.I got off to an awful start, quickly going 3 down after 3 holes, before steadying the ship with a half at the 4th and a win at the 5th. I pulled one more back amongst a run of halved holes, to finish the front nine just 1 down.
-1, -2, -3, -3, -2, -2, -2, -1, -1
We also halved 10 and 11, I then went on a bit of heater, winning 4 in a row. Stood on the 16th tee I was 3 up with 3 to play and feeling confident... Doh! Big mistake!
-1, -1, AS, +1, +2, +3, +2, +1, AS
And so, back to the 1st tee for 'sudden death' extra holes. The end came, rather un-ceremoniously, at the 130 yd, par 3, second. My opponent scuffed his tee shot under a tree, left his second shot under there and then put his third into a greenside bunker... Meanwhile I had chipped my second shot onto the green, but a good twenty feet from the flag... he then hit his 4th shot out of the bunker, clear over the green and into a hedge... hole conceded and I am now into my first ever matchplay final.
I'm not sure if the other semi has been played yet... it is between 'The Stepfather' and 'The Fireman's Father', both of whom play of 28, so I will be in the unusual position of having to give 4 shots to my opponent.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
It's A Small World...
but I wouldn't want to paint it!
I played my first ever round of golf at Burford this morning, with two other members of the Smiths Golf Society and very pleasant it was too.
Whilst chatting to one of them over a shandy in the bar, the conversation came round to poker, via holidays & Las Vegas. I tried to convince him that it's not all about luck and that there is a large ammount of skill involved, but he wouldn't have it.
He told me, "My stepson plays a lot of poker, he tells me that he outplays them all at the Three Pigeons, on a Sunday, but they all just get so lucky."
His name was Colin.
I played my first ever round of golf at Burford this morning, with two other members of the Smiths Golf Society and very pleasant it was too.
Whilst chatting to one of them over a shandy in the bar, the conversation came round to poker, via holidays & Las Vegas. I tried to convince him that it's not all about luck and that there is a large ammount of skill involved, but he wouldn't have it.
He told me, "My stepson plays a lot of poker, he tells me that he outplays them all at the Three Pigeons, on a Sunday, but they all just get so lucky."
His name was Colin.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Fantasy WSOP & Last Longer...
With just 27 left in the ME, all 'Mob' team members have had their day at the 2010 WSOP. The final scores are -
Alan 56
Paul 48
Rich 24
Teresa 21
And so, by the power vested in me as keeper of the official scoring spreadsheet, I do hereby declare myself as the winner of said 'Fanstasy WSOP' competition.
As for the last longer bet, with none of the picks making the money, it is my belief that, according to the rules agreed upon last year, the result is a 'No Contest'.
I also managed to hold onto joint second place in the blonde forum fantasy WSOP, which returned $87.50.
So, all in all, not a bad series for me... if you disregard the $2500 in tournament buy-ins which showed exactly $0.00 return!!
Alan 56
Paul 48
Rich 24
Teresa 21
And so, by the power vested in me as keeper of the official scoring spreadsheet, I do hereby declare myself as the winner of said 'Fanstasy WSOP' competition.
As for the last longer bet, with none of the picks making the money, it is my belief that, according to the rules agreed upon last year, the result is a 'No Contest'.
I also managed to hold onto joint second place in the blonde forum fantasy WSOP, which returned $87.50.
So, all in all, not a bad series for me... if you disregard the $2500 in tournament buy-ins which showed exactly $0.00 return!!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Fantasy WSOP Provisional Result...
A cursory glance through the ME day 5 seating list appears to confirm my beleif that JP Kelly is the only 'Mob' team player left in the competition... the scores are currently -
Alan 56
Paul 48
Rich 24
Teresa 21
I am also lying T2 in the blonde forum comp. I can win it if JP makes the Nov9 and will finish 3rd if Jason Mercier or Eric Baldwin get there.
Alan 56
Paul 48
Rich 24
Teresa 21
I am also lying T2 in the blonde forum comp. I can win it if JP makes the Nov9 and will finish 3rd if Jason Mercier or Eric Baldwin get there.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The Open 2010...
I have unregistered from the two APAT WCOAP tournaments that I had entered, due to lack of enthusiasm and a preference to play in golf comp on the Monday. This meant that £150 was returned to my Betfair account... I have withdrawn £100, but re-invested £50 in The Open.
The winner of this year's event will come from one of these 5 (£10 on each)...
Camilo Villegas @ 110
KJ Choi @ 120
Edoardo Molinari @ 120
Miguel Angel Jimenez @ 170
Thongchai Jaidee @ 360
The winner of this year's event will come from one of these 5 (£10 on each)...
Camilo Villegas @ 110
KJ Choi @ 120
Edoardo Molinari @ 120
Miguel Angel Jimenez @ 170
Thongchai Jaidee @ 360
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Apologies...
for not keeping things updated. Just lost the will to write for a while. I've started on some updates on the rest of the Vegas trip and stuff.
Watch this space... although none of it very interesting! You have been warned.
Watch this space... although none of it very interesting! You have been warned.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday...
Wow... what a day!
Decide to head down to where the 'kids are at' [Planet Hollywood] to watch the England game... and maybe play their 11.00 tourney.
So, take the shuttle bus to the strip, and walk down to PH... their 11.00 am tourney started at 10.00... we'll give that a miss then ! Decide to walk down to MGM Grand and play their 11.00 am and watch the footie.
Bust by 12.00 and go and sit at a bar to watch the footie... spend an OK hour watching the remainder of the game alongside a pleasant enough aussie, who used to play in goal for some obscure Australian side.
Football over, go register for a 1/2 cash game... sit down with $200 and grind for a couple of hours and get the stack uoto $500+...
Then loose it all in a one thousand dollar pot... R, rR, rrR.. all-in PF... I have AA, he has QQ... NH Sir!
OK, lets get back to the GC... it's the weekend, there'll be loads of people in the card room... get the money back easy... just need to get a couple of hundred out of the 'safety deposit box'
Wouold be simple if I could find the key for the box!!!
Key no where to seen... this is going to be quit expensive... they have to get a locksmith out to drill out the lock and replace it - at my expense!
S0, anyway... lets not worry too much about that.. I've got a couple of hundred out of the ATM so I wont starve. I've come back to the room to search for the key... not here!
I'm going back down to get in the cash game and make everything right... I hope!!
Happy Birthday Me!!
Decide to head down to where the 'kids are at' [Planet Hollywood] to watch the England game... and maybe play their 11.00 tourney.
So, take the shuttle bus to the strip, and walk down to PH... their 11.00 am tourney started at 10.00... we'll give that a miss then ! Decide to walk down to MGM Grand and play their 11.00 am and watch the footie.
Bust by 12.00 and go and sit at a bar to watch the footie... spend an OK hour watching the remainder of the game alongside a pleasant enough aussie, who used to play in goal for some obscure Australian side.
Football over, go register for a 1/2 cash game... sit down with $200 and grind for a couple of hours and get the stack uoto $500+...
Then loose it all in a one thousand dollar pot... R, rR, rrR.. all-in PF... I have AA, he has QQ... NH Sir!
OK, lets get back to the GC... it's the weekend, there'll be loads of people in the card room... get the money back easy... just need to get a couple of hundred out of the 'safety deposit box'
Wouold be simple if I could find the key for the box!!!
Key no where to seen... this is going to be quit expensive... they have to get a locksmith out to drill out the lock and replace it - at my expense!
S0, anyway... lets not worry too much about that.. I've got a couple of hundred out of the ATM so I wont starve. I've come back to the room to search for the key... not here!
I'm going back down to get in the cash game and make everything right... I hope!!
Happy Birthday Me!!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
In The Cold Light Of Dawn...
Up early, didn't sleep much last night. Huge bruises on my arse from where I keep kicking myself for the way I played those Qs against Hellmuth. Starstruck dickhead amatuer... probably sums it up.
One of the greatest NL Hold 'Em players of all time makes what is only one chip more than a min-reraise to 1100, over two players, with one [me] still to act, he has only 2500 behind.
So, what do I think he has? Think? Think? Who gives a shit? I've got two smiling queens and a chance to bust Phil Hellmuth... ship them chips in the middle! I took more time, a whole lot more time, trying to put Joy on a hand when she moved in on the river, at the Pigeons on Sunday night, in a 6 player £10 freezeout. Admittedly the boffins will have solved most of the mysteries of the universe before anyone is really able to put Joy on a hand... although to be fair to me, I did state that I thought she had one of two hands, one of which I could beat and the other I couldn't. I made the call and she did have the one that I beat!
But now here I am, playing in one the biggest tournaments in the world, with a buy-in which is still a lot of money to me, with a properly life changing ammount of money for the winner and I had already made all my decisions as soon as the first guy raised... WP Sir!
Hopefully I have learned from this and, given a similar situation in the future, will not make the same idiotic mistake. Anyhow, barring some extreme good fortune over the next couple days, I think that is my WSOP over for this year. I will stick to the $100 - $200 tournaments around town for the rest of my stay... that is if I can get past the poker room and it's 10.00 am $40 tourney.
One of the greatest NL Hold 'Em players of all time makes what is only one chip more than a min-reraise to 1100, over two players, with one [me] still to act, he has only 2500 behind.
So, what do I think he has? Think? Think? Who gives a shit? I've got two smiling queens and a chance to bust Phil Hellmuth... ship them chips in the middle! I took more time, a whole lot more time, trying to put Joy on a hand when she moved in on the river, at the Pigeons on Sunday night, in a 6 player £10 freezeout. Admittedly the boffins will have solved most of the mysteries of the universe before anyone is really able to put Joy on a hand... although to be fair to me, I did state that I thought she had one of two hands, one of which I could beat and the other I couldn't. I made the call and she did have the one that I beat!
But now here I am, playing in one the biggest tournaments in the world, with a buy-in which is still a lot of money to me, with a properly life changing ammount of money for the winner and I had already made all my decisions as soon as the first guy raised... WP Sir!
Hopefully I have learned from this and, given a similar situation in the future, will not make the same idiotic mistake. Anyhow, barring some extreme good fortune over the next couple days, I think that is my WSOP over for this year. I will stick to the $100 - $200 tournaments around town for the rest of my stay... that is if I can get past the poker room and it's 10.00 am $40 tourney.
Addendum To Day 3 Report...
It's now 'tomorrow' and it's still not my birthday! :-(
I haven't changed the clock on my laptop, consequently, while I was typing last night the calendar already displayed the 17th... so naturally I assume today is my birthday... but it's not, it's still tomorrow. Never mind.
I hope that clears that up!
I haven't changed the clock on my laptop, consequently, while I was typing last night the calendar already displayed the 17th... so naturally I assume today is my birthday... but it's not, it's still tomorrow. Never mind.
I hope that clears that up!
Day 3 - WSOP Event #30 $1500 NLHE...
Now that I have just sat and typed yesterday's update I seem to have run out of enthusiasm to go into too much detail at the moment... suffice to say the bracelet won't gracing the Lake mantelpiece this year.
I did get a mention in the pokernews.com updates, although they seem to have mis-spelt Lake -
Probably not the optimal way to play QQ, following a raise, call, re-raise. But with no overcards on the board I think I was always going to loose a big pot there unless I find a fold pre-flop.
It had been a good table for me until Phil moved into the seat on my right, about 5 minutes before the hand above. I proceeded to play another couple of pots [badly] with him and within 30 minutes of him coming to the table I had gone table chip daddy to average stack... wp me!
Things then settled down a bit, I did even get to take a coupple of pots off of the boy Hellmuth.
The beginning of the end came about 30 mins after the dinner break, half way through lev 6. Blinds are now 200/400/50, I'd open raised, to 1k, with AJs from the CO... The Button made it 3.1k to go, blinds folded and it's back on me... I had about 6k behind, he had about 3k remaining... just as I was seriously considering folding the word 'Call' came out of my mouth... Doh! On reflection I prefer Pushing or Folding over a call.
The flop came AA8... the money goes in, he has AQ... no miracle J and I'm down to a little over 1k chips... wp me, again!
A couple of hands later came the highlight of my tournament when I 'totally outplayed' Hellmuth... UTG I have K9s and push in my last 950 chips, it folds around to Phil who, as we all know, can make some astonishing (to us mere mortals) lay downs. He wasn't very happy about it but I managed to get him to call with T6o. The K9 held up and I was back to 2.4k.
Next hand I have AA in the BB... folds to the CO who raises... it then folds to me, I push, he calls with KJ... AA holds, another double-up but still short.
The end came shortly after, folded to me in mid position I push with 44. The guy two seat to my left pushes over the top... never a good sign, the rest fold... he has AQo... could be worse, no?
The first flop card visible is a 4... Yeeeeeeeesssssssss! The dealer spreads the flop and a Q appears, along with a T... hmmmmmm.
The turn is an A... uh oh!
River card is another Q... GG WP, thanks for playing.
-----
Birthday tomorrow (today where you are), no plans as yet... Seniors event a possibility, although unlikely. Most likely target will be a $160 NLH at Binions... if i can get out of the hotel without entering the $40 comp here.
I did get a mention in the pokernews.com updates, although they seem to have mis-spelt Lake -
Probably not the optimal way to play QQ, following a raise, call, re-raise. But with no overcards on the board I think I was always going to loose a big pot there unless I find a fold pre-flop.
It had been a good table for me until Phil moved into the seat on my right, about 5 minutes before the hand above. I proceeded to play another couple of pots [badly] with him and within 30 minutes of him coming to the table I had gone table chip daddy to average stack... wp me!
Things then settled down a bit, I did even get to take a coupple of pots off of the boy Hellmuth.
The beginning of the end came about 30 mins after the dinner break, half way through lev 6. Blinds are now 200/400/50, I'd open raised, to 1k, with AJs from the CO... The Button made it 3.1k to go, blinds folded and it's back on me... I had about 6k behind, he had about 3k remaining... just as I was seriously considering folding the word 'Call' came out of my mouth... Doh! On reflection I prefer Pushing or Folding over a call.
The flop came AA8... the money goes in, he has AQ... no miracle J and I'm down to a little over 1k chips... wp me, again!
A couple of hands later came the highlight of my tournament when I 'totally outplayed' Hellmuth... UTG I have K9s and push in my last 950 chips, it folds around to Phil who, as we all know, can make some astonishing (to us mere mortals) lay downs. He wasn't very happy about it but I managed to get him to call with T6o. The K9 held up and I was back to 2.4k.
Next hand I have AA in the BB... folds to the CO who raises... it then folds to me, I push, he calls with KJ... AA holds, another double-up but still short.
The end came shortly after, folded to me in mid position I push with 44. The guy two seat to my left pushes over the top... never a good sign, the rest fold... he has AQo... could be worse, no?
The first flop card visible is a 4... Yeeeeeeeesssssssss! The dealer spreads the flop and a Q appears, along with a T... hmmmmmm.
The turn is an A... uh oh!
River card is another Q... GG WP, thanks for playing.
-----
Birthday tomorrow (today where you are), no plans as yet... Seniors event a possibility, although unlikely. Most likely target will be a $160 NLH at Binions... if i can get out of the hotel without entering the $40 comp here.
Day 2 continued...
As planned, I went to Aria... it is very big and new and shiny. I didn't see much, other than the gaming floor and poker room. The tournament didn't go great... Unfortunately I don't have the required patience to just sit and wait for good oppurtunities when there are seriously bad players at the table. I see others mopping up chips, with less than premium holdings and feel I have to get involved in pots before the bad players bust and somebody else has all their chips. The result is I drip away my chips... I don't even remember my exit hand, it was just another in long line of pots I shouldn't have been in... Out by 8.00 pm!
With the intent of getting an early[ish] night I headed back to the Gold Coast for a an hour or two of $1/$2 NL cash and a couple of beers... just as I was thinking of cashing out with around a $100 profit, I go and loose a $400 pot... all-in PF, KK not good enough for 88. And so it continued, each time I got back into profit, shortly after I'd go loose big pot and have to start again. However, I did finally get on a roll, busting a couple of players and basically causing the game to break up at around 3.30 am... I cashed out with a $295 profit.
All in all a successful day, although very unhappy about how I played in the Aria tournament.
With the intent of getting an early[ish] night I headed back to the Gold Coast for a an hour or two of $1/$2 NL cash and a couple of beers... just as I was thinking of cashing out with around a $100 profit, I go and loose a $400 pot... all-in PF, KK not good enough for 88. And so it continued, each time I got back into profit, shortly after I'd go loose big pot and have to start again. However, I did finally get on a roll, busting a couple of players and basically causing the game to break up at around 3.30 am... I cashed out with a $295 profit.
All in all a successful day, although very unhappy about how I played in the Aria tournament.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Day 2 - Half-Time Update...
The decision not to shoot over to the Rio this morning proved correct... by the time I'd had a shower, the tourney was over. Flushy finished second to Sammy Farha.
Over breakfast I decided that I would head down to the Las Vegas Outlet Center, a trip I have been intending to make each time I've been here. So after a liesurely breakfast I was strolling towards the casino door when clearly I was spotted by the poker room manager... "Today's 10.00 am $40 freezout tournament starting in 20 mins, register now," was the message over the tannoy.
Now having once cracked the old $22 1k chip half Limit/half NL tournament, obviously I couldn't resist the challenge of taking on the locals in this new format. As usual there was some truly astonishing poker on show... but I was able to pick my way through the field and got heads-up with a 1:2 chip deficit. To my suprise he agreed to my rather tongue in cheek offer to chop and we both took $455 less $15 each left for the dealers. That clears yesterday's debacle from balance sheet... onwards and upwards.
Gonna get some lunch and chill for an hour or two then go and have a look at Aria, the new place next to Bellagio, and play their 7.00 pm $120 F/out.
Tomorrow will be WSOP Event #30 $1500 NLHE starting at noon... unless of course, I happen to be leaving the Gold Coast just before 10.00!!!!
Over breakfast I decided that I would head down to the Las Vegas Outlet Center, a trip I have been intending to make each time I've been here. So after a liesurely breakfast I was strolling towards the casino door when clearly I was spotted by the poker room manager... "Today's 10.00 am $40 freezout tournament starting in 20 mins, register now," was the message over the tannoy.
Now having once cracked the old $22 1k chip half Limit/half NL tournament, obviously I couldn't resist the challenge of taking on the locals in this new format. As usual there was some truly astonishing poker on show... but I was able to pick my way through the field and got heads-up with a 1:2 chip deficit. To my suprise he agreed to my rather tongue in cheek offer to chop and we both took $455 less $15 each left for the dealers. That clears yesterday's debacle from balance sheet... onwards and upwards.
Gonna get some lunch and chill for an hour or two then go and have a look at Aria, the new place next to Bellagio, and play their 7.00 pm $120 F/out.
Tomorrow will be WSOP Event #30 $1500 NLHE starting at noon... unless of course, I happen to be leaving the Gold Coast just before 10.00!!!!
Day 1 - Hit The Ground Stumbling...
Well not off to a great start! Finally landed about 3.10pm, about an hour late, out of the airport and into a taxi in record time... OK ride to the hotel and no queues at check-in... it got worse from here.
It would appear that I don't have roaming enabled on my phone. I knew there'd be something I hadn't done before leaving! So, a little sooner than anticipated I have to pay for the internet access to check with the Virgin Mobile website to see if there is anything I can do about it without making an international call from the hotel phone... it would seem not!
I have a look at the WSOP updates to see how James 'Flushy' Dempsey is getting on in the $10 Omaha Hi/Lo event and find that he is well chipped up and they are down to two tables. I decide to go over to the Rio and rail for a while... I find his table just as they get down to the final table and go on a break!
After a quick snack and a drink and with time to kill I decide to play a $125 SnG satellite. With just 1000 chips and a 15 min clock these get crapshooty in a hurry... and I hurried out in 5th place!
I wander back to the final table, where play has resumed... unfortunately watching a limit game from a distance is just too boring, I managed about 30 mins and bid my farewell to the Rio and headed back over the road.
As I walk through the door into the casino I hear an announcement, "Seat open... $1/$2 No Limit Hold-Em." Clearly it had my name on it. I sit down with $200 and soon witness some of the worst poker I've ever seen... unfortunately some of it came from me! An alert and patient man could have cleaned up in the game - I'm sorry to say I was neither.
After loosing $50 or so, I re-load another $100... drip some more away playing like a girl... and then decide to trap the bully with my pocket Tens. There had been an early raise to $6 - this only meant the guy had two cards, no more, no less... then as was usual there were three or four callers... I call also from the button, as does the SB... then Monsieur Bully (yes, he was French), not suprisingly makes it $60. As before they all fold, one after another, round to me... but of course this time I 'ave set zee trap por M. Bully... Boom! I move all-in for my remaining $200'ish... there how do you like that? "I like zis vey much," thinks M. Bully, as he calls and flips over AA. Bastard!
That was just after 11 pm, I'd been up for 26 hours... time for bed.
And now, at 6.30 am, I see that Flushy is still playing and is heads-up against Sammy Farha... I don't think I shall go over, the way I've been running they'll finish it just before I get there.
I haven't completed today's agenda yet... it begins with shower, followed by breakfast... we'll see what happens after that.
It would appear that I don't have roaming enabled on my phone. I knew there'd be something I hadn't done before leaving! So, a little sooner than anticipated I have to pay for the internet access to check with the Virgin Mobile website to see if there is anything I can do about it without making an international call from the hotel phone... it would seem not!
I have a look at the WSOP updates to see how James 'Flushy' Dempsey is getting on in the $10 Omaha Hi/Lo event and find that he is well chipped up and they are down to two tables. I decide to go over to the Rio and rail for a while... I find his table just as they get down to the final table and go on a break!
After a quick snack and a drink and with time to kill I decide to play a $125 SnG satellite. With just 1000 chips and a 15 min clock these get crapshooty in a hurry... and I hurried out in 5th place!
I wander back to the final table, where play has resumed... unfortunately watching a limit game from a distance is just too boring, I managed about 30 mins and bid my farewell to the Rio and headed back over the road.
As I walk through the door into the casino I hear an announcement, "Seat open... $1/$2 No Limit Hold-Em." Clearly it had my name on it. I sit down with $200 and soon witness some of the worst poker I've ever seen... unfortunately some of it came from me! An alert and patient man could have cleaned up in the game - I'm sorry to say I was neither.
After loosing $50 or so, I re-load another $100... drip some more away playing like a girl... and then decide to trap the bully with my pocket Tens. There had been an early raise to $6 - this only meant the guy had two cards, no more, no less... then as was usual there were three or four callers... I call also from the button, as does the SB... then Monsieur Bully (yes, he was French), not suprisingly makes it $60. As before they all fold, one after another, round to me... but of course this time I 'ave set zee trap por M. Bully... Boom! I move all-in for my remaining $200'ish... there how do you like that? "I like zis vey much," thinks M. Bully, as he calls and flips over AA. Bastard!
That was just after 11 pm, I'd been up for 26 hours... time for bed.
And now, at 6.30 am, I see that Flushy is still playing and is heads-up against Sammy Farha... I don't think I shall go over, the way I've been running they'll finish it just before I get there.
I haven't completed today's agenda yet... it begins with shower, followed by breakfast... we'll see what happens after that.
Monday, June 14, 2010
OI BRANSON!!! 'Ave A Word...
If I can negotiate the A40 between Witney and Oxford AND... AND the M25 on a Monday morning and arrive at Gatwick bang on schedule at 0925... the very least you could do is get your fucking plane here on time as well.
Not an hour and a half late.
Bastard!
Not an hour and a half late.
Bastard!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Stuff...
Three days 'til Vegas! Yippeeee! Will try to update the blog a little more regular than of late.
I played my 2nd ever matchplay round yesterday... the Smiths Industries Golf Society Summer KO. Only 14 entries, I dodged the prelim round and went straight into the 1/4 final. After a great start, getting 4-up through six holes, the rot set in in the middle part of the round but I held on to go down the 18th 1-up, finally winning by 2 holes. Into the semi's now, to play against either 'The Accountant' or 'The Solicitor'.
And with the results, or least the cashees, in for the first 17 WSOP events the Mob Fanatsy WSOP league table looks like this -
I played my 2nd ever matchplay round yesterday... the Smiths Industries Golf Society Summer KO. Only 14 entries, I dodged the prelim round and went straight into the 1/4 final. After a great start, getting 4-up through six holes, the rot set in in the middle part of the round but I held on to go down the 18th 1-up, finally winning by 2 holes. Into the semi's now, to play against either 'The Accountant' or 'The Solicitor'.
And with the results, or least the cashees, in for the first 17 WSOP events the Mob Fanatsy WSOP league table looks like this -
| Alan | 16 |
| Paul | 15 |
| Teresa | 4 |
| Rich | 3 |
Friday, June 04, 2010
Fantasy WSOP Update (iii)...
With seven of the 57 bracelet events in the record books we have all added a few more points (well, 'A' point in Rich's case!), but there is no change in the standings.
| Paul | 6 |
| Alan | 4 |
| Teresa | 3 |
| Rich | 1 |
There may be some movement in the table over the next day or two... with [my] Cap'n Phil already in the money and well placed to make the final table of event 8... and plenty of team players still in the mix in event 10, the $10k 7-card stud world championship.
Thursday, June 03, 2010
'Badbeat' Good For thegame....
Neil 'Badbeat' Channing has made the final table of event #6, the $5k NLHE Shootout, locking up at least 3 more points for thegame... Akenhead & Ferguson both eliminated, scoring just 1 point.
I have picked up one more point, courtesy of Jon 'Pearljammer' Turner who crept into the money in event #7, $2.5k 2-7 Triple Draw.
I have picked up one more point, courtesy of Jon 'Pearljammer' Turner who crept into the money in event #7, $2.5k 2-7 Triple Draw.
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Fantasy WSOP Update (ii)...
With events #2 to #4 reaching their conclusion, the current points standing is -
| Paul | 3 |
| Alan | 2 |
| Teresa | 1 |
| Rich | 0 |
Monday, May 31, 2010
Fantasy WSOP Update...
Not suprisingly no-one picked up any points from Event #1, the $500 Casino Employees NLHE... the only completed event thus far. With 21 players left at the end of day 2 of Event #2, the $50k 8-game Players Championship, both me (Erik Seidel) and Paul (John Juanda) are still in the hunt to open the scoring - 16 get paid.
The first bracelet winner of 2010... yesterday.Event #3, the first of the $1000 NLHE donkaments and Event #4, $1500 Omaha H/L are also underway.
Another day or two and there will be events finishing daily and the points [for my team] will start flowing in. I hope Paul isn't expecting too many early points from Captain Oberstad... she's still in Norway at the moment!
Another day or two and there will be events finishing daily and the points [for my team] will start flowing in. I hope Paul isn't expecting too many early points from Captain Oberstad... she's still in Norway at the moment!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Fantasy WSOP 2010...
It looks like the Witney (inc. Carterton) Mob will having their own £5 entry, winner takes all*, WSOP Fantasy Team competition. It will be based on the comp running at blonde poker - http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=48014.0
*It is likely that thegame will try to negotiate some kind of a saver for 2nd place... or even 3rd as well. :-)
I will be entering the same team that I have in the blonde comp i.e.
Brits - JP Kelly
WSOP ME Winners – Chris Ferguson
HSP6 – Phil Ivey
Online - Jon "Pearljammer" Turner
Big Dogs – Phil Helmuth (Captain)
Shrewdies & All Sorts – Vanessa Rousso
Wild Card 1 – Men Nguyen
Wild Card 2 – Erik Seidel
Teresa has picked a team also, but clearly not overly confident as she doesn't want to enter the official competition... or as she put it, "I don't want to waste a fiver!"
Hopefully Paul and Rich will post their teams on their respective blogs before the series starts on Friday.
You will be able to monitor progress HERE, if I can work out how to use it!
*It is likely that thegame will try to negotiate some kind of a saver for 2nd place... or even 3rd as well. :-)
I will be entering the same team that I have in the blonde comp i.e.
Brits - JP Kelly
WSOP ME Winners – Chris Ferguson
HSP6 – Phil Ivey
Online - Jon "Pearljammer" Turner
Big Dogs – Phil Helmuth (Captain)
Shrewdies & All Sorts – Vanessa Rousso
Wild Card 1 – Men Nguyen
Wild Card 2 – Erik Seidel
Teresa has picked a team also, but clearly not overly confident as she doesn't want to enter the official competition... or as she put it, "I don't want to waste a fiver!"
Hopefully Paul and Rich will post their teams on their respective blogs before the series starts on Friday.
You will be able to monitor progress HERE, if I can work out how to use it!
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
And Your Point Is?
Pics tweetted by Daniel Negreanu...
"The view from my room. Awesome skiing in warm weather. You all should come to EPT Snowfest next year."
"My view from London. Um ya, not quite the same as Austria."
"The view from my room at Mohegan Sun. This place seems A LOT nicer than Foxwoods."
"The view from my room in Monte Carlo."
"The view from my room. Awesome skiing in warm weather. You all should come to EPT Snowfest next year.""My view from London. Um ya, not quite the same as Austria.""The view from my room at Mohegan Sun. This place seems A LOT nicer than Foxwoods.""The view from my room in Monte Carlo."Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Lost By One Hole...
My first foray into matchplay golf... shot my lowest ever round, a nett 65... and lost by a single hole... Oh, what might have been!!
It was a game of three thirds; 5 down after 6 holes, we pretty much shared the middle third to leave me 4 down after 12, and then a truly inspired comeback to take the match down the 18th after being 4 down with 4 to play.
It was a game of three thirds; 5 down after 6 holes, we pretty much shared the middle third to leave me 4 down after 12, and then a truly inspired comeback to take the match down the 18th after being 4 down with 4 to play.
Monday, April 26, 2010
It Means Nothing To Me...
Oh Vienna.So, with some spare folding monies burning a hole a my pocket... the question is; "Do I go to Vienna for the next APAT tournament?"
It may have been home to some of the great classical composers, It may have some great architecture and be one of Europes great capital cities... But that means nothing to me, Oh Vienna.
There are several negatives, as I see it -
It may have been home to some of the great classical composers, It may have some great architecture and be one of Europes great capital cities... But that means nothing to me, Oh Vienna.
There are several negatives, as I see it -
- There are currently only 8 people from the UK registered
- Only one of whom is known to like a drink and the craic, and more importantly, isn't known for going too deep in these things!
- The hotel that some are booked into is neither close to the city centre or the casino or the airport.
- I'm not sure I'll look good in lederhosen.
- After several steins of frothy lager and a bad beat, I probably won't be able to stop myself from mentioning the war! (Is this important in Austria, or just Germany?)
I hate decisions... I think I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not sure?
Anyway, away from the pokering... I placed joint second in the Golf Matters Beginners comp at Witney on Sunday. And on Wednesday evening I have my first ever matchplay round in the Summer KO. I am drawn against the Ladies Captain, who also plays off 26 so no shots given or taken. Good luck me!
Anyway, away from the pokering... I placed joint second in the Golf Matters Beginners comp at Witney on Sunday. And on Wednesday evening I have my first ever matchplay round in the Summer KO. I am drawn against the Ladies Captain, who also plays off 26 so no shots given or taken. Good luck me!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
QFT...
I always said John Murray was a pretty shrewd judge of pokering talent... http://www.apat.com/forum/index.php?topic=5841.msg99487#msg99487
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Freeee Rollin'...
Laid Fdz-Castano for my total stake plus £1. We're now...
Fdz-Castano +£108
David Howell +£841
Del Moral +£1201
AN Other +£1
Fdz-Castano +£108
David Howell +£841
Del Moral +£1201
AN Other +£1
Thursday, March 25, 2010
This Week's Investment...
After a profitable Cheltenham and some luck in the 10c/20c PLO on Betfair, the time has come to re-invest some profits.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
PS Sunday Warm-Up Lev I - Lev VIII
I found this cool [free] hand-history replayer and thought I'd share my Warm-Up win in full, with anyone bored enough to watch through it. You can identify the pots I was involved in and jump right to them, if you don't want to see all the cards I folded.
This is the first eight levels, it caused the replayer to cough a bit when I tried to load 760+ hands at once! Further installments to follow...
This Hand History Player is supported by www.myhands.com
This is the first eight levels, it caused the replayer to cough a bit when I tried to load 760+ hands at once! Further installments to follow...
This Hand History Player is supported by www.myhands.com
Monday, March 15, 2010
Amusing Exchange In The Chat Box...
While playing the APAT League tournament on Betfair last night...
To set the scene, I am the big stack at the table (got 'lucky' a couple of times), David3103 open raised from the CO on my BB... fold, fold... I 3bet push over the top... he tanks til the time runs out and folds...
David3103: hmmmmm
One orbit later, David3103 open raised from the Highjack on my SB... fold, fold... I 3bet push over the top... actually get an all-in call from the BB (Oooops!)... David3103 tanks til the time runs out and folds. Having seen my A5s outplay the BB's QQ (KKK 7 A obviously)...
David3103: hmmmmm
MagicAl: you hmmmmm a lot
David3103: you 3bet a lot
MagicAl: you raise/fold a lot
David3103: hmmmmmmmm
Well, it made me smile. :-)
To set the scene, I am the big stack at the table (got 'lucky' a couple of times), David3103 open raised from the CO on my BB... fold, fold... I 3bet push over the top... he tanks til the time runs out and folds...
David3103: hmmmmm
One orbit later, David3103 open raised from the Highjack on my SB... fold, fold... I 3bet push over the top... actually get an all-in call from the BB (Oooops!)... David3103 tanks til the time runs out and folds. Having seen my A5s outplay the BB's QQ (KKK 7 A obviously)...
David3103: hmmmmm
MagicAl: you hmmmmm a lot
David3103: you 3bet a lot
MagicAl: you raise/fold a lot
David3103: hmmmmmmmm
Well, it made me smile. :-)
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Monday, March 08, 2010
It's A Funny Old Game...
According to one source, until the blog entry was deleted (Google cache to the rescue!), I was 'totally outplayed' in the big game at The Pigeons last night... although the seven crisp £10 notes in my back pocket and the prestigious winners trophy on the mantelpiece* suggest otherwise. Better to be lucky than good, I always say. :-)*OK, the trophy is not actually on my mantelpiece, I left it at the pub as I may not be present in two weeks to defend it.
And in other pokering news... a couple of weeks after setting myself the challenge of moving up from number three to be the top ranked Oxfordshire player on PocketFives.com, I have made no progress whatsoever! I am currently re-assessing the future of this quest and may have to find a more achievable target... like winning two WSOP bracelets in June!!!
After busting out of a couple of MTTs one evening last week, I embarked on what was probably a bit of a 'tilt' cash session. $2/$4 LHE was game of choice and surprisingly I ended up winning $70, another session on Saturday netted another $69... I had forgotten just how bad a lot of online limit players are. I may have just re-discovered a cash game I can beat, I'll let you know after another 10k hands.
A gauntlet, thrown down at 22:55 yesterdaySunday, February 28, 2010
The Way Ahead...
Well the dust has now settled on the St Valentine's Day Massacre... most of the money is in the bank, time to move on.The SnG grinding wasn't at all fulfilling, even though I'm sure I would have attained my target of $1000 profit in time to pay my entry into a WSOP tournament. Clearly setting monetary targets is now a bit pointless as I'm not going to play big enough stakes, on a regular basis to ever come close to topping the warm-up win.
But if I'm to continue online pokering I do need a goal, I don't seem to be able to play just for the sake of it. So, here it is then...
You may have noticed the PocketFives.com leaderboard thingy on the left here, I put it on there as bit of joke really as it shows me ranked number one in Witney (you probably thought I was 1 of 1, but there is actually one other person from Witney)... anyway it is the Oxfordshire ranking that will now become target of pokering endeavours.
The Oxfordshire leaderboard todayI'm not too sure how the scoring works, some function of prize money and field size I believe, and I have a big gap to make up... but the target is to be the number one ranked player in Oxfordshire by the end of 2010. I've no idea how achievable it is or how good the players around me are, but there it is decision made.
Right I'd better get on with it then!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tomorrow's Chip Wrapper...
Tomorrow's Chip Wrapper todayAmazing, the quotes contain words that I probably said, but not necessarily in the exact order that I said them. Makes you laugh really... according to the Oxford Mail the winning hand was an "Ace to Four straight." Now, maybe at the Pigeons on a Sunday that might be possible but probably not on PokerStars.
See What I Did There?
An exclusive for my loyal reader, a sneak preview of a soon to be published interview on uk.pokernews.com - LINKLOL at them using a picture of me and Doyle Brunson and cropping the old boy out of it.
I was able to weave in a mention for a few of the regulars at the Pigeons game... how many can you find?
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Proof If Proof Were Needed...
That if you sit a million monkeys at a million keyboards, eventually one of them will hit the correct combination of [FOLD], [CALL] and [RAISE] buttons to win a big online donkament.
It's a job to know what to say about it really, if I'm honest I don't really remember too much detail. There was a pivotal hand after about 90 mins, the blinds were 200/400. I had managed to get to a little under 20k chips quite early, then the guy to my right, who had nicked my BB a few times already, open raised from the SB, I moved in with the monster A4o thinking he can't call for all his chips (10k) without a real big hand... wrong! He snap called with 88. Flop came JJJ, Turn J... that'll do nicely... and just to rub salt in his wounds there was an 8 on the river. Cruel, so cruel. That put me up to 29k and I never really looked back, I think I only once dropped below average chips and then only for a few hands.
Once I had a big stack, the strategy was basically just all-out aggression. If you'e going to beat a field of 4500 pre-pubescent Scandinavian aggro-monkeys, it's no good just sitting back and waiting for the chips to come to you... they won't. Let them know that if they 3bet your raise, their next decision will be, "Do I really want to call that 4bet shove, for all my chips?"
Hark at me... talking like I know what I'm on about!
So, yes, anyway, that's about all I want to say about that... yesterday's news, tomorrow's chip wrapper. (Well, next Thursday's chip wrapper to be more precise... but more about that later.)
Now then, what other news I have neglected to pass on over the last couple of weeks?
You remember the charity swear-box challenge thing I set myself - http://riorodent.blogspot.com/2010/01/january-charity-prop-bet-of-sorts.html - well I took the box upto the Pigeons game the week before last. At the grand opening ceremony it was found to contain six of your English pound coins... Less than £20, so I doubled it as promised and Joy put it into the 'Help The Heroes' jar I believe.
That'll have to do, I've spent long enough trying to string coherent sentences together... it's not like anybody reads it anyway! Until the next time, mon braves.
It's a job to know what to say about it really, if I'm honest I don't really remember too much detail. There was a pivotal hand after about 90 mins, the blinds were 200/400. I had managed to get to a little under 20k chips quite early, then the guy to my right, who had nicked my BB a few times already, open raised from the SB, I moved in with the monster A4o thinking he can't call for all his chips (10k) without a real big hand... wrong! He snap called with 88. Flop came JJJ, Turn J... that'll do nicely... and just to rub salt in his wounds there was an 8 on the river. Cruel, so cruel. That put me up to 29k and I never really looked back, I think I only once dropped below average chips and then only for a few hands.
Once I had a big stack, the strategy was basically just all-out aggression. If you'e going to beat a field of 4500 pre-pubescent Scandinavian aggro-monkeys, it's no good just sitting back and waiting for the chips to come to you... they won't. Let them know that if they 3bet your raise, their next decision will be, "Do I really want to call that 4bet shove, for all my chips?"
Hark at me... talking like I know what I'm on about!
So, yes, anyway, that's about all I want to say about that... yesterday's news, tomorrow's chip wrapper. (Well, next Thursday's chip wrapper to be more precise... but more about that later.)
Now then, what other news I have neglected to pass on over the last couple of weeks?
You remember the charity swear-box challenge thing I set myself - http://riorodent.blogspot.com/2010/01/january-charity-prop-bet-of-sorts.html - well I took the box upto the Pigeons game the week before last. At the grand opening ceremony it was found to contain six of your English pound coins... Less than £20, so I doubled it as promised and Joy put it into the 'Help The Heroes' jar I believe.
That'll have to do, I've spent long enough trying to string coherent sentences together... it's not like anybody reads it anyway! Until the next time, mon braves.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Well, another week...
Another $280 profit! :-)
The profit may be a little artificially inflated at the moment, as $215 of it is in the form of a Step 4 ticket... won as a result of using 500 fpp's to enter a Step 1 STT. I won't be continuing on the 'steps' route, instead I shall use the Step 4 ticket to take part in the $200 + $15 Sunday Warm-Up next Sunday evening.
I haven't played a whole lot of poker this week, when I have played I've stuck pretty much to STTs... a mix of $11 regular, $6.50 turbos and $16 turbos. A total of 62 tournaments, average buy-in $9.10, ITM 40.3% and ROI 9.9%... a profit of just $55.75. Getting ITM often enough, just not converting it into enough 1st places.
I decided to stick with STTs in preparation for tonight's 'big game' at The Pigeons... I now have it totally ingrained into my subconcious; Fold everything except QQ+ and AKs, anytime I'm down to 10BBs or less - Push with any two cards.
Seemplez!
The profit may be a little artificially inflated at the moment, as $215 of it is in the form of a Step 4 ticket... won as a result of using 500 fpp's to enter a Step 1 STT. I won't be continuing on the 'steps' route, instead I shall use the Step 4 ticket to take part in the $200 + $15 Sunday Warm-Up next Sunday evening.
I haven't played a whole lot of poker this week, when I have played I've stuck pretty much to STTs... a mix of $11 regular, $6.50 turbos and $16 turbos. A total of 62 tournaments, average buy-in $9.10, ITM 40.3% and ROI 9.9%... a profit of just $55.75. Getting ITM often enough, just not converting it into enough 1st places.
I decided to stick with STTs in preparation for tonight's 'big game' at The Pigeons... I now have it totally ingrained into my subconcious; Fold everything except QQ+ and AKs, anytime I'm down to 10BBs or less - Push with any two cards.
Seemplez!
| Current Profit | $506.05 |
| Bonuses | $ 35.00 |
| FPP conversion | $ 1.50 |
| Starting Roll | $162.51 |
| Total | $705.06 |
Sunday, January 17, 2010
The End Of An Era...
It may have have been just 6 weeks, but an era none the less... I have brought to an end my 45-man SnG grind. Following a [msn] conversation with Rich yesterday afternoon, I did some sums and realised that, with the combination of; a) best likely return; and b) reduced volume, due to work picking up, it was highly unlikely that I could even get to a proper bankroll level to play exclusively $6.50 (or higher), never mind win the $1000 WSOP buy-in that had become the target of my online pokering.
So... I decided, "Bollocks to proper bankroll management!" and set forth on a [disastrous] session of solely $6.50's... and followed that with a "bankroll management is for wimps" session of $22 STTs. I somehow managed to win 2 of these and end the day back over $200 profit. I'm still wondering if I should have left it a little longer after a four-guinness lunchtime before making these sort of decisions? But, hey-ho!!
Anyway, there we are then, onwards and, hopefully, upwards.
So... I decided, "Bollocks to proper bankroll management!" and set forth on a [disastrous] session of solely $6.50's... and followed that with a "bankroll management is for wimps" session of $22 STTs. I somehow managed to win 2 of these and end the day back over $200 profit. I'm still wondering if I should have left it a little longer after a four-guinness lunchtime before making these sort of decisions? But, hey-ho!!
Anyway, there we are then, onwards and, hopefully, upwards.
On waking this morning I realised that continuing with $22 STTs, six at a time, probably isn't a good idea and have settled on $11 as a compramise. The unbelievable run continued however and now have a total of 7 first places and a third from 19 tournaments.
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!| Current Profit | $235.30 |
| Re-Load Bonus | $ 25.00 |
| FPP conversion | $ 1.50 |
| Starting Roll | $162.51 |
| Total | $424.31 |
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Down, Down, Deeper And Down...
A couple of hours of jubilation yesterday morning, after breaking through the $200 profit barrier at the third attempt... then, it all went tits-up in the next two sessions.
Lunchtime yesterday
End of play yesterdayThursday, January 14, 2010
Movin' On Up, Movin' On Up...
Just one 11 game session yesterday, for an $11 profit, so I'll lump that in with today's summary.
I've continued with a mix of $3.25 and $6.50 tournaments, with TableNinja set-up to keep me in 4 x $3.25's and 2 x $6.50's at a time, for 60 mins... sessions are ranging from 9-12 tournaments.
Combined Wed & Thu Summary ($6.50's in brackets) -
Tournaments 45 (14)
1sts 0 (0)
2nds 3 (1)
3rds 3 (1)
4ths 1 (1)
5ths 2 (1)
6ths 1 (0)
7ths 3 (3)
Bubbles 1 (1)
Profit/Loss +$87.25
Total Profit/Loss +$181.80 (807 Tournaments)
Charity Tin £4
I've continued with a mix of $3.25 and $6.50 tournaments, with TableNinja set-up to keep me in 4 x $3.25's and 2 x $6.50's at a time, for 60 mins... sessions are ranging from 9-12 tournaments.
Combined Wed & Thu Summary ($6.50's in brackets) -
Tournaments 45 (14)
1sts 0 (0)
2nds 3 (1)
3rds 3 (1)
4ths 1 (1)
5ths 2 (1)
6ths 1 (0)
7ths 3 (3)
Bubbles 1 (1)
Profit/Loss +$87.25
Total Profit/Loss +$181.80 (807 Tournaments)
Charity Tin £4
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
I fear 'The Mob' may be breaking up...
I understand Paul is drafting his visa application as I write... SEE HERE
No poker today.
I see my blog is growing in popularity, even two visits today from the far east. Wait a minute!! Paul... Paul...
Oh dear, I think he's already gone?
No poker today.
I see my blog is growing in popularity, even two visits today from the far east. Wait a minute!! Paul... Paul...
Oh dear, I think he's already gone?
Monday, January 11, 2010
"Outside of a dog, a book is your best friend...
and inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
- Groucho Marx
Daily Summary ($6.50s in brackets) -
Tournaments 35 (24)
1sts 1 (0)
2nds 0
3rds 2 (1)
4ths 0
5ths 1 (1)
6ths 0
7ths 3 (3)
Bubbles 0 (0)
Profit/Loss -$26.75
Total Profit/Loss +$94.55 (762 Tournaments)
Charity Tin £3
- Groucho Marx
Daily Summary ($6.50s in brackets) -
Tournaments 35 (24)
1sts 1 (0)
2nds 0
3rds 2 (1)
4ths 0
5ths 1 (1)
6ths 0
7ths 3 (3)
Bubbles 0 (0)
Profit/Loss -$26.75
Total Profit/Loss +$94.55 (762 Tournaments)
Charity Tin £3
Sunday, January 10, 2010
"You see me here, you [poker] gods...
a poor old man, As full of grief as age; wretched in both."
- King Lear, Act II, scene iv
More proof, if proof were needed, that The Bard was a regular player on PokerStars.
A poor 9 game session early today prompted me to throw good bankroll management out of the window and have a go at the $6.50s. A set of 6 x $6.50s resulted in a win and a third place... that's more like it. Unfortunately, the good fortune didn't last, the third session of the day was 0 for 7.
Daily Summary ($6.50s in brackets) -
Tournaments 22 (13)
1sts 1 (1)
2nds 0
3rds 1 (1)
4ths 0
5ths 1
6ths 0
7ths 1
Bubbles 2 (2)
Profit/Loss +$30.25
Total Profit/Loss +$121.30 (727 Tournaments)
Charity Tin £3
- King Lear, Act II, scene iv
More proof, if proof were needed, that The Bard was a regular player on PokerStars.
A poor 9 game session early today prompted me to throw good bankroll management out of the window and have a go at the $6.50s. A set of 6 x $6.50s resulted in a win and a third place... that's more like it. Unfortunately, the good fortune didn't last, the third session of the day was 0 for 7.
Daily Summary ($6.50s in brackets) -
Tournaments 22 (13)
1sts 1 (1)
2nds 0
3rds 1 (1)
4ths 0
5ths 1
6ths 0
7ths 1
Bubbles 2 (2)
Profit/Loss +$30.25
Total Profit/Loss +$121.30 (727 Tournaments)
Charity Tin £3
Saturday, January 09, 2010
"Peace comes from within...
Do not seek it on PokerStars."
- Buddha (possibly mis-heard?)
Note To Self: Do not play soon after returning from the pub!!
Daily Summary -
Tournaments 36
1sts 0
2nds 0
3rds 2
4ths 0
5ths 0
6ths 1
7ths 1
Bubbles 1
Profit/Loss -$53.50
Total Profit/Loss +$91.05 (705 Tournaments)
Charity Tin £3
- Buddha (possibly mis-heard?)
Note To Self: Do not play soon after returning from the pub!!
Daily Summary -
Tournaments 36
1sts 0
2nds 0
3rds 2
4ths 0
5ths 0
6ths 1
7ths 1
Bubbles 1
Profit/Loss -$53.50
Total Profit/Loss +$91.05 (705 Tournaments)
Charity Tin £3
Friday, January 08, 2010
"First ask yourself:...
What is the worst that can happen? Then prepare to accept it. Then proceed to improve on the worst."
- Dale Carnegie, after playing a SnG session on PokerStars
Daily Summary -
Tournaments 36
1sts 3
2nds 0
3rds 1
4ths 2
5ths 1
6ths 0
7ths 0
Bubbles 1
Profit/Loss +$72.00
Total Profit/Loss +$144.55
Charity Tin £2
Hopefully it is just a matter of time before variance swings in my direction and we can push on out of the foothills and scale Everest... onwards and upwards!
- Dale Carnegie, after playing a SnG session on PokerStars
Daily Summary -
Tournaments 36
1sts 3
2nds 0
3rds 1
4ths 2
5ths 1
6ths 0
7ths 0
Bubbles 1
Profit/Loss +$72.00
Total Profit/Loss +$144.55
Charity Tin £2
Hopefully it is just a matter of time before variance swings in my direction and we can push on out of the foothills and scale Everest... onwards and upwards!
Thursday, January 07, 2010
"Lord, What fools these mortals be!"
- A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act III, scene ii
Clearly Shakespeare had also played against the $3 SnG players on PokerStars!
Daily Summary -
Tournaments 23
1sts 0
2nds 0
3rds 0
Minor Cashes 2
Profit/Loss -$47.75
500 FPP Step 1 - 4th for $1.50
Total Profit/Loss +$72.55
Charity Tin £2
Clearly Shakespeare had also played against the $3 SnG players on PokerStars!
Daily Summary -
Tournaments 23
1sts 0
2nds 0
3rds 0
Minor Cashes 2
Profit/Loss -$47.75
500 FPP Step 1 - 4th for $1.50
Total Profit/Loss +$72.55
Charity Tin £2
Ice Road Trucker...
I had three jobs booked in to do yesterday... I got all three jobs done, driving over 200 miles in the process... and then got the van stuck in the road trying to reverse back into my own driveway!!Cancelled today's jobs and re-booked them for next Tuesday.
Thank God for global warming, that's what I say... where would we be without it, Eh? We'd all freeze in our beds, that's where we'd be without it!!
No poker played Wednesday.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Black Toosday...
Just two sessions today, a single first place finish in this morning's 11 game set ensured a small profit but that soon evaporated in a brutal evening session.
Some good news though, played the front nine at Witney today... 40 shots through holes 1 to 8 and confident of pretty good score [for me], only to hit the tee shot out of bounds, at the 9th, another into the trees, resulting in a very ugly 9 to finish and spoil an otherwise fairly good looking card.
Daily Summary -
Tournaments 26
1sts 1
2nds 0
3rds 0
Minor Cashes 1
Profit/Loss -$30.50
Total Profit/Loss +$118.80
Charity Tin £2
Some good news though, played the front nine at Witney today... 40 shots through holes 1 to 8 and confident of pretty good score [for me], only to hit the tee shot out of bounds, at the 9th, another into the trees, resulting in a very ugly 9 to finish and spoil an otherwise fairly good looking card.
Daily Summary -
Tournaments 26
1sts 1
2nds 0
3rds 0
Minor Cashes 1
Profit/Loss -$30.50
Total Profit/Loss +$118.80
Charity Tin £2
Monday, January 04, 2010
Gave A Bit Back Today...
Not much to say about it really, decent session early, so so session this afternoon and an 0 for 12 session tonight! :-(
On Saturday, I used 500 FPPs for a Step 1 SnG... won a $27 Step 2 ticket. Played the Step 2 earlier and lost that also (8th place).
Daily Summary -
Tournaments 32
1sts 0
2nds 1
3rds 1
Minor Cashes 3
Profit/Loss -$29.00
Total Profit/Loss +$149.30
Charity Tin £2
On Saturday, I used 500 FPPs for a Step 1 SnG... won a $27 Step 2 ticket. Played the Step 2 earlier and lost that also (8th place).
Daily Summary -
Tournaments 32
1sts 0
2nds 1
3rds 1
Minor Cashes 3
Profit/Loss -$29.00
Total Profit/Loss +$149.30
Charity Tin £2
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Breathe In The Through The Nose....
breathe out through the mouth.....
Ommmmmmmmmmmmmm......
Just 21 tournaments today in two sessions, 14 this morning with just one 7th place for a $30'something loss. But an altogether much better 7 game session this evening, albeit with a certain amount of 'tongue biting' required, a first and a second place 'greening up' the day's proceedings.
Daily Summary -
Tournaments 21
1sts 1
2nds 1
3rds 0
Minor Cashes 1
Profit/Loss +$25.75
Total Profit/Loss +$178.30
Charity Tin £1
Ommmmmmmmmmmmmm......
Just 21 tournaments today in two sessions, 14 this morning with just one 7th place for a $30'something loss. But an altogether much better 7 game session this evening, albeit with a certain amount of 'tongue biting' required, a first and a second place 'greening up' the day's proceedings.
Daily Summary -
Tournaments 21
1sts 1
2nds 1
3rds 0
Minor Cashes 1
Profit/Loss +$25.75
Total Profit/Loss +$178.30
Charity Tin £1
All In The Garden Is Rosy...
My new found outlook on the trials and tribulations of online poker (aided by a mega-strength dose of Valium), has already begun to pay dividends. After the first two sessions of the day had resulted in two small losses, totaling -$13.50... a much calmer evening session, sans bad-beat rants, provided 4 cashes from 10 tournaments and a return of $73.75.
Daily Summary -
Tournaments 35
1sts 1
2nds 1
3rds 0
Minor Cashes 10
Profit/Loss +$60.25
Total Profit/Loss +$152.55
Charity Tin £1*
*Note: I feel I was tricked here and reluctantly agreed to put this £1 in... I was simply suffering in silence, shaking my head after running JJ into QQ, when shorthanded at a final table. When Teresa asked what was wrong I did allow a small expletive to enter my description. It wasn't a rant, it was explained in a calm , collected manner, but I did agree not to swear while playing.
Daily Summary -
Tournaments 35
1sts 1
2nds 1
3rds 0
Minor Cashes 10
Profit/Loss +$60.25
Total Profit/Loss +$152.55
Charity Tin £1*
*Note: I feel I was tricked here and reluctantly agreed to put this £1 in... I was simply suffering in silence, shaking my head after running JJ into QQ, when shorthanded at a final table. When Teresa asked what was wrong I did allow a small expletive to enter my description. It wasn't a rant, it was explained in a calm , collected manner, but I did agree not to swear while playing.
Friday, January 01, 2010
January Charity Prop Bet [of sorts]...
So, here's the thing; I have come to the conclusion that if my heart and sanity are to last long enough for me to spend any winnings I might have by the time we get to Vegas, I need to stop getting so stressed by the bad beats... stop swearing at bad players making bad calls - they can't hear me!! And maybe stop making those bad decisions in the middle of a session that have probably been costing 2 or 3 buy-ins each session.
The terms and conditions (these will apply to live poker also)...
For the remainder of the month of January;
- I will not shout and swear during the course of a session.
- I will not moan about, or post any more bad beats.
- I will not moan about bad players making bad calls.
- I will not moan about the PokerStars RNG.
- I will not threaten to throw the laptop across the room.
Teresa will police the online sessions and the penalty will be £1.00 in a tin for each offence.
At the end of January any money collected will be handed over to Joy, at the Pigeons, to donate to one of their [UK] charities.
If their is less than £20, I will double it and if the tin is bare (ha ha, yes, some chance!!) I will donate £10 anyway... I guess that gives me 5 free lapses of concentration? :-)
There it is then, bring it on PokerStars... do your worst, I shall remain calm and collected at all times... playing my A-Game and making only correct decisions.
Deep breaths....
Ommmmmmmmmm....
The terms and conditions (these will apply to live poker also)...
For the remainder of the month of January;
- I will not shout and swear during the course of a session.
- I will not moan about, or post any more bad beats.
- I will not moan about bad players making bad calls.
- I will not moan about the PokerStars RNG.
- I will not threaten to throw the laptop across the room.
Teresa will police the online sessions and the penalty will be £1.00 in a tin for each offence.
At the end of January any money collected will be handed over to Joy, at the Pigeons, to donate to one of their [UK] charities.
If their is less than £20, I will double it and if the tin is bare (ha ha, yes, some chance!!) I will donate £10 anyway... I guess that gives me 5 free lapses of concentration? :-)
There it is then, bring it on PokerStars... do your worst, I shall remain calm and collected at all times... playing my A-Game and making only correct decisions.
Deep breaths....
Ommmmmmmmmm....
And A New One's Just Begun...
unfortunately it's started much the same as the last one ended. :-(
This just about sums up the last week or so; Final table of $3.25 45-Man SnG, it folds to the Button who limps, SB folds, I push and get insta-called by button...
Then a few hands later, I've stolen some blinds and got back to reasonable stack, UTG folds, I push again, fold fold, same guy snap calls in the BB, with pocket 3s!
This same sort of thing has been occurring relentlessly for days... I fear that my sanity may break before my bankroll.
This just about sums up the last week or so; Final table of $3.25 45-Man SnG, it folds to the Button who limps, SB folds, I push and get insta-called by button...
Then a few hands later, I've stolen some blinds and got back to reasonable stack, UTG folds, I push again, fold fold, same guy snap calls in the BB, with pocket 3s!
This same sort of thing has been occurring relentlessly for days... I fear that my sanity may break before my bankroll.
A PokerStars regular yesterdayAnother year over...
So, I guess it's an appropriate time for a progress report on the quest to win some money to take to Vegas in June. The quest started on December 3rd, so not quite a full month, however I haven't had much [any] work so I have been able to put in a decent volume.
I've played 502 tournaments, all but one were 45-man SnGs (I somehow entered a $2.20 180-man SnG by mistake!)... 492 at $3.25 and 9 @ $6.50.
Out of 22557 hands I've had pocket Aces 97 times and lost with them 13 times.
At one stage I was +$200, but subsequently I've had very frustrating spell of winning a bit but then losing a bit more and I've finished the month with just a $92.30 profit... still a profit, very dissappointing none the less.
I have to find some way to turn this downward trend around!
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