Full statistics of the heats and final table are available at http://www.statsgenie.com/poker/default.aspx?LeagueID=1890
Feel free to add comments, particularly those who participated, as it would be good to capture your thoughts on how you thought the whole tournament went for you and how well (or not) you felt you played on the night...
I run an annual event (open to all comers) the "Annual Satellite Invitation Cup" This year I had came third in my heat for the Annual tournament so by rights should not have been on the final table at all, but lucked my way into a seat when the heat winner (Keith) couldn't make the event and Derek (2nd place in the heat) had won his way there already via the 2nd place playoff. There are 8 seats and we start with 4000 chips (NL freezeout) so with the blinds starting at 25/25 and going up every 15 mins decided my strategy was to avoid any confrontation in the first couple of rounds.
Being on the button first hand, I dealt myself AQ so was debating how much to raise by when "Suicide Sean" put in a large raise before me..... so decided to throw the hand away. Only Andrew called him and the flop was Q high, after checking down the remaining rounds the showdown saw a pair of Jacks taking the pot. I wasn't too upset as I had my strategy, but a few hands later a similar situation saw me throwing away a hand pre-flop that would have given me a straight on the flop..... it was going to be one of those nights. In the next round I had pocket 9's and put in a raise to about 500. Looking hesitant, Sean called and the flop saw 3 spades (I had 9 of spades) Sean put in a bet of 1000, which after some thought I decided to call. The fourth spade on the turn gave me a 9 high flush, but 4 cards higher. Sean went all-in, which actually doesn't normally mean much :-) but I put him on a higher spade so folded. I decided to show my cards and Sean showed T8 o/s but his T was a spade, so I had made the right choice but was left with about 2000 chips.
I got no cards after that and by the 4th round the blinds are at 75/125 and going to 100/200 soon, so decided to make a move when I was in late position and three people in front all folded. I made it 500 to go and only the blinds (Bill and Andrew) called. When the flop came down KT4 (or similar), whilst Bill was deciding what to do I could see that Andrew had about the same chips as me (and he saw me eying up his chips) and Bill had a few more but not many.... and they both checked to me. I was certain that Andrew would fold to an all-in bet and thought Bill's indecision meant he had nothing, so went all-in. Bill thought some more and said he thought I had AK, but still managed to call me and Andrew did fold. Unfortunately I had decided to follow up my pre-flop bluff with another complete bluff and had to show my 53 o/s which was up against Bill's KQ suited. I needed two 5's, 3's or one of each (I didn't even bother to work out the percentage chance) and sure enough Bill deservedly won. Much to my disappointment I was first one out !
My play on the night was overall reasonably sound I think but never got above my starting chips and don't actually remember winning a hand. I will have to wait until next year for my moment of glory.
As for the rest of the match, Sean had started out very aggressive and had quickly build up a huge chip lead.... which he used to great effect to bully the table and get even more chips. Roger had a big hand against Sean that went horribly wrong when Sean hit his flush on the river, which left him struggling and didn't last much longer than me. After than the blinds had hit 100/200 and everyone was playing tight, especially as only Bill had more than starting chips at that point (apart from Sean who still had the chip lead)
Jon had Sean to his left and every time Jon went into a hand Sean always seemed to be calling his raises or raising himself and then putting in big raises on the flop. Jon managed to double up against Sean once, but Sean seemed to be Jon's nemesis. As it turned out, at the end of round 8 Jon was all in again with KJ suited but Sean showed AK which held up to take Jon out. Jon was not happy and went to watch the football......
The final round did not last very long and Bill managed to take out Derek and Sean in one hand, taking his small chip lead to a large one. The next hand saw Andrew all-in for the extra 400 over the 2000 blind but Bill took him out as well. Bill had about 2-1 chip lead over Zoran, but Zoran was fighting strongly. After a couple more hands, the unraised flop came 732 and Zoran went all in showing 74, but Bill's 73 was well ahead and the turn and river didn't give Zoran any help
A well fought match, well deserved victor and was exciting to watch as well.
All in all, I felt it well worth the effort to organise the tournament and most people seemed to enjoy taking part (despite those cruel twists of fate), although I am sure those who made it into the cash prize places feel even better :-)
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Monday, May 29, 2006
Cars: Spectating at UK's Motor racing circuits
This post will try to review the UK circuits from a spectator perspective. Will rate based on access, facilities, value for money. Still work in progress
Value for money : Average
Entrance fee : £12
Grandstand : £7
Paddock transfer : free
No concessions to 750mc members
Circuit accessibility: Good
Well signposted, not far off A303. Parking in a field up a short gravel drive. Plenty of spaces and short walk from circuit entrance
Spectator facilities : Average
Didn't try any food on site myself
Resteraunt in main viewing area
Resteraunt/bar in paddock area
4 food vans selling various burgers, doughnuts, sandwiches, etc
Toilets were plentiful, permanent buildings, clean and well stocked
Public access around the circuit and viewing areas were limited. Reasonable view of Club chicane (but the most crowded area), or the start finish straight or Campbell/Cobb/Segreave corners (probably the best place to view). Little in the way of shelter from the elements anywhere around the circuit
Overall rating : Average
Value for money : Not sure
Entrance fee : unknown
Grandstand : Free
Paddock transfer : Free
Circuit accessibility: Good
Well signposted. Parking inside the circuit.
Spectator facilities : Very good
Two main restaurants. Basic menu but OK
Permanent fast food restaurant
Various food vans selling variety of fast foods
Permanent shops selling clothes, models, etc
Toilets are plentiful, permanent buildings, clean and well stocked
Public access around the circuit and viewing areas are very good.
Grandstand at Paddock Hill Bend by far the best place to view from as you can see pretty much the whole circuit (Indy)
Overall rating : Very Good
Event Type : British Touring Cars
Most comments above still apply.
Value for money : Average
Entrance Fee : £22
Grandstand are extra cost, restricted access to garages, except at lunchtime
Car parking is a short walk outside the main circuit
Additional things to do, fun fair, live music, temporary shops selling all sorts of things
Overall Rating : Good
Event type : BARC
Value for money : Average
Entrance fee : £15
Grandstand : No grandstand
Paddock transfer : £2
Circuit accessibility: Good
Well signposted. Parking inside the circuit. Quite bumpy field, wouldn't want to go there in low slung sports car!
Spectator facilities : Very good
Didn't try any food on site myself
Various food vans selling variety of fast foods and ice cream
Small permanent shop selling various models, souveniers, etc
Quite open to the elements, not much shelter available
Resteraunt in paddock area
Toilets are plentiful, permanent buildings, reaonably clean but quite basic
Public access around the circuit and viewing areas are very good. You can walk all around circuit and best spots have viewing banks to stand or sit on.
Overall rating : Good
- Thruxton
Value for money : Average
Entrance fee : £12
Grandstand : £7
Paddock transfer : free
No concessions to 750mc members
Circuit accessibility: Good
Well signposted, not far off A303. Parking in a field up a short gravel drive. Plenty of spaces and short walk from circuit entrance
Spectator facilities : Average
Didn't try any food on site myself
Resteraunt in main viewing area
Resteraunt/bar in paddock area
4 food vans selling various burgers, doughnuts, sandwiches, etc
Toilets were plentiful, permanent buildings, clean and well stocked
Public access around the circuit and viewing areas were limited. Reasonable view of Club chicane (but the most crowded area), or the start finish straight or Campbell/Cobb/Segreave corners (probably the best place to view). Little in the way of shelter from the elements anywhere around the circuit
Overall rating : Average
- Brands Hatch
Value for money : Not sure
Entrance fee : unknown
Grandstand : Free
Paddock transfer : Free
Circuit accessibility: Good
Well signposted. Parking inside the circuit.
Spectator facilities : Very good
Two main restaurants. Basic menu but OK
Permanent fast food restaurant
Various food vans selling variety of fast foods
Permanent shops selling clothes, models, etc
Toilets are plentiful, permanent buildings, clean and well stocked
Public access around the circuit and viewing areas are very good.
Grandstand at Paddock Hill Bend by far the best place to view from as you can see pretty much the whole circuit (Indy)
Overall rating : Very Good
Event Type : British Touring Cars
Most comments above still apply.
Value for money : Average
Entrance Fee : £22
Grandstand are extra cost, restricted access to garages, except at lunchtime
Car parking is a short walk outside the main circuit
Additional things to do, fun fair, live music, temporary shops selling all sorts of things
Overall Rating : Good
- Castle Coombe
Event type : BARC
Value for money : Average
Entrance fee : £15
Grandstand : No grandstand
Paddock transfer : £2
Circuit accessibility: Good
Well signposted. Parking inside the circuit. Quite bumpy field, wouldn't want to go there in low slung sports car!
Spectator facilities : Very good
Didn't try any food on site myself
Various food vans selling variety of fast foods and ice cream
Small permanent shop selling various models, souveniers, etc
Quite open to the elements, not much shelter available
Resteraunt in paddock area
Toilets are plentiful, permanent buildings, reaonably clean but quite basic
Public access around the circuit and viewing areas are very good. You can walk all around circuit and best spots have viewing banks to stand or sit on.
Overall rating : Good
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Cars: motor racing at Thruxton
My old car, now being raced by Samir. Looks a lot cleaner and neater than when I owned it !
Took the wife to Thruxton today to watch the 750mc meeting. The weather forecast was a bit grim, but it looked OK in the morning and we went prepared for the wet.
Remembered to take my 750mc membership card as I presumed I would get discount to enter the circuit. To my surprise and dismay, Thruxton don't offer any concessions to 750mc members, even at a exclusive 750mc meeting! So that's £24 to get in for two people then....
Went into the paddock and first thing I saw was Samir and my old car... had a good look at the modifications to the car and chatted to Samir who seemed pleased to be racing (did feel a bit sad at not being there to race !) We had turned up in time to watch the Locost qualifying, but they were running early so had just missed it, oh well never mind.
Then went to look at the grandstand and to my amazement you have to pay another £7 each to sit on what looked like a windswept concrete step.... even Silverstone don't charge extra to use the grandstands and they are the real thing ! so we gave that a miss
Once the racing started we decided to walk around the circuit to get familiar with the viewing points. There was some good viewing of the complex out on the banking, but you can only walk a short way round the circuit - come on Thruxton get your act together, it was really disappointing not be be able to go all the way around. Most other circuits manage to get spectators all the way round.
The rain started in earnest during the Formula Vee race, which put a bit of a damper on the proceedings, although made the racing more exciting with spins all over the place.
In the end we decided to leave early as the wind and rain were really starting to bite, and the racing was getting a bit tip toe (which is understandable in the circumstances, especially the Caterhams)
All in all, the meeting was a slight disappointment due to the weather but was glad we made the effort to go and see my old car. I did feel ripped off by Thruxton for no concessions to 750mc members and the charging for the grandstands. Although it is my local circuit, I really doubt I will be going back to spectate. Castle Coombe and Brands Hatch are far superior in the facilities they offer spectators and are not much further to go for me.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Poker: I wanna be on TV again
Played in the Late Night Poker Ace2 qualfier satalitte tournament tonight, to try and get to the weekend qualifier for the TV appearances..... (see http://www.partypoker.com/news/items/lnpa2.html for details)
I felt I played really steady, had a good double up when I needed it, then got hit with 2 bad beats from the same player !! I am not happy......
Here are the key hands (my player name is "sceaga")
Level 2
Double up ! against chip leader who bullying all over the shop
***** Hand History for Game 4349700043 *****
NL Texas Hold'em Trny:23999797 Level:2 Blinds(30/60) - Wednesday, May 24, 12:46:30 ET 2006
Table LNPA Qualifier(704959) Table #1 (Real Money)
Seat 1 is the button
Total number of players : 8
Seat 1: ZINNER42 ( $3354 )
Seat 2: WINSTON412 ( $3641 )
Seat 4: Sceaga ( $2564 )
Seat 5: hitchchops ( $4461 )
Seat 6: camata ( $2670 )
Seat 7: SBASSMAN ( $6360 )
Seat 8: wcatman19 ( $12067 )
Seat 9: frogg867 ( $3882 )
Trny:23999797 Level:2 Blinds(30/60)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Sceaga [ Kc Kh ]
hitchchops folds.
camata folds.
SBASSMAN folds.
wcatman19 calls [60].
frogg867 calls [60].
ZINNER42 folds.
WINSTON412 calls [30].
Sceaga raises [190].
wcatman19 calls [190].
frogg867 calls [190].
WINSTON412 calls [190].
** Dealing Flop ** [ Td, Qh, 8h ]
gminer has joined the table.
Player gminer has been moved from table 2 to this table
WINSTON412 checks.
Sceaga is all-In [2314]
wcatman19 calls [2314].
frogg867 folds.
WINSTON412 folds.
** Dealing Turn ** [ 5d ]
** Dealing River ** [ 6c ]
Sceaga shows [ Kc, Kh ] a pair of kings.
wcatman19 shows [ 7d, Qd ] a pair of queens.
Sceaga wins 5628 chips from the main pot with a pair of kings.
Level 3 (20 players left)
At this stage I am 2nd on table (6th overall)
Bad beat number 1
***** Hand History for Game 4349747958 *****
NL Texas Hold'em Trny:23999797 Level:3 Blinds(50/100) - Wednesday, May 24, 12:59:22 ET 2006
Table LNPA Qualifier(704959) Table #1 (Real Money)
Seat 1 is the button
Total number of players : 10
Seat 1: ZINNER42 ( $4164 )
Seat 2: WINSTON412 ( $3261 )
Seat 4: Sceaga ( $6538 )
Seat 5: hitchchops ( $6058 )
Seat 6: camata ( $5742 )
Seat 7: SBASSMAN ( $6480 )
Seat 8: wcatman19 ( $7402 )
Seat 3: WorldChampSc ( $4240 )
Seat 9: cdobrin ( $4272 )
Seat 10: st4n18 ( $2637 )
Trny:23999797 Level:3 Blinds(50/100)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Sceaga [ Ah 8h ]
Sceaga raises [300].
hitchchops folds.
camata folds.
SBASSMAN folds.
wcatman19 folds.
cdobrin folds.
st4n18 folds.
ZINNER42 folds.
WINSTON412 folds.
WorldChampSc will be using his time bank for this hand.
WorldChampSc calls [200].
** Dealing Flop ** [ Ad, 8s, Th ]
WorldChampSc is all-In [3940]
Sceaga calls [3940].
** Dealing Turn ** [ Tc ]
** Dealing River ** [ Jc ]
WorldChampSc shows [ Qc, Kd ] a straight, ten to ace.
Sceaga shows [ Ah, 8h ] two pairs, aces and tens.
WorldChampSc wins 8530 chips from the main pot with a straight, ten to ace.
I am the lowest chip stack now (20th of 20!)
Level 4
now 15th of 17
Its all over - bad beat number 2
***** Hand History for Game 4349856454 *****
NL Texas Hold'em Trny:23999797 Level:4 Blinds(100/200) - Wednesday, May 24, 13:22:23 ET 2006
Table LNPA Qualifier(704959) Table #1 (Real Money)
Seat 3 is the button
Total number of players : 9
Seat 1: ZINNER42 ( $3353 )
Seat 4: Sceaga ( $3630 )
Seat 5: hitchchops ( $6217 )
Seat 6: camata ( $5692 )
Seat 7: SBASSMAN ( $4764 )
Seat 8: wcatman19 ( $6571 )
Seat 3: WorldChampSc ( $8293 )
Seat 9: cdobrin ( $9987 )
Seat 10: st4n18 ( $2287 )
Trny:23999797 Level:4 Blinds(100/200)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Sceaga [ Ah Qh ]
camata folds.
SBASSMAN folds.
wcatman19 calls [200].
cdobrin calls [200].
st4n18 folds.
ZINNER42 folds.
WorldChampSc raises [400].
Sceaga is all-In [3530]
hitchchops folds.
wcatman19 folds.
cdobrin folds.
WorldChampSc calls [3230].
** Dealing Flop ** [ Qc, 4h, 5d ]
** Dealing Turn ** [ 2c ]
** Dealing River ** [ 5c ]
WorldChampSc shows [ Ad, 3s ] a straight, ace to five.
Sceaga shows [ Ah, Qh ] two pairs, queens and fives.
WorldChampSc wins 7860 chips from the main pot with a straight, ace to five
Sceaga finished in 16 place (there were 38 entries)
I felt I played really steady, had a good double up when I needed it, then got hit with 2 bad beats from the same player !! I am not happy......
Here are the key hands (my player name is "sceaga")
Level 2
Double up ! against chip leader who bullying all over the shop
***** Hand History for Game 4349700043 *****
NL Texas Hold'em Trny:23999797 Level:2 Blinds(30/60) - Wednesday, May 24, 12:46:30 ET 2006
Table LNPA Qualifier(704959) Table #1 (Real Money)
Seat 1 is the button
Total number of players : 8
Seat 1: ZINNER42 ( $3354 )
Seat 2: WINSTON412 ( $3641 )
Seat 4: Sceaga ( $2564 )
Seat 5: hitchchops ( $4461 )
Seat 6: camata ( $2670 )
Seat 7: SBASSMAN ( $6360 )
Seat 8: wcatman19 ( $12067 )
Seat 9: frogg867 ( $3882 )
Trny:23999797 Level:2 Blinds(30/60)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Sceaga [ Kc Kh ]
hitchchops folds.
camata folds.
SBASSMAN folds.
wcatman19 calls [60].
frogg867 calls [60].
ZINNER42 folds.
WINSTON412 calls [30].
Sceaga raises [190].
wcatman19 calls [190].
frogg867 calls [190].
WINSTON412 calls [190].
** Dealing Flop ** [ Td, Qh, 8h ]
gminer has joined the table.
Player gminer has been moved from table 2 to this table
WINSTON412 checks.
Sceaga is all-In [2314]
wcatman19 calls [2314].
frogg867 folds.
WINSTON412 folds.
** Dealing Turn ** [ 5d ]
** Dealing River ** [ 6c ]
Sceaga shows [ Kc, Kh ] a pair of kings.
wcatman19 shows [ 7d, Qd ] a pair of queens.
Sceaga wins 5628 chips from the main pot with a pair of kings.
Level 3 (20 players left)
At this stage I am 2nd on table (6th overall)
Bad beat number 1
***** Hand History for Game 4349747958 *****
NL Texas Hold'em Trny:23999797 Level:3 Blinds(50/100) - Wednesday, May 24, 12:59:22 ET 2006
Table LNPA Qualifier(704959) Table #1 (Real Money)
Seat 1 is the button
Total number of players : 10
Seat 1: ZINNER42 ( $4164 )
Seat 2: WINSTON412 ( $3261 )
Seat 4: Sceaga ( $6538 )
Seat 5: hitchchops ( $6058 )
Seat 6: camata ( $5742 )
Seat 7: SBASSMAN ( $6480 )
Seat 8: wcatman19 ( $7402 )
Seat 3: WorldChampSc ( $4240 )
Seat 9: cdobrin ( $4272 )
Seat 10: st4n18 ( $2637 )
Trny:23999797 Level:3 Blinds(50/100)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Sceaga [ Ah 8h ]
Sceaga raises [300].
hitchchops folds.
camata folds.
SBASSMAN folds.
wcatman19 folds.
cdobrin folds.
st4n18 folds.
ZINNER42 folds.
WINSTON412 folds.
WorldChampSc will be using his time bank for this hand.
WorldChampSc calls [200].
** Dealing Flop ** [ Ad, 8s, Th ]
WorldChampSc is all-In [3940]
Sceaga calls [3940].
** Dealing Turn ** [ Tc ]
** Dealing River ** [ Jc ]
WorldChampSc shows [ Qc, Kd ] a straight, ten to ace.
Sceaga shows [ Ah, 8h ] two pairs, aces and tens.
WorldChampSc wins 8530 chips from the main pot with a straight, ten to ace.
I am the lowest chip stack now (20th of 20!)
Level 4
now 15th of 17
Its all over - bad beat number 2
***** Hand History for Game 4349856454 *****
NL Texas Hold'em Trny:23999797 Level:4 Blinds(100/200) - Wednesday, May 24, 13:22:23 ET 2006
Table LNPA Qualifier(704959) Table #1 (Real Money)
Seat 3 is the button
Total number of players : 9
Seat 1: ZINNER42 ( $3353 )
Seat 4: Sceaga ( $3630 )
Seat 5: hitchchops ( $6217 )
Seat 6: camata ( $5692 )
Seat 7: SBASSMAN ( $4764 )
Seat 8: wcatman19 ( $6571 )
Seat 3: WorldChampSc ( $8293 )
Seat 9: cdobrin ( $9987 )
Seat 10: st4n18 ( $2287 )
Trny:23999797 Level:4 Blinds(100/200)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Sceaga [ Ah Qh ]
camata folds.
SBASSMAN folds.
wcatman19 calls [200].
cdobrin calls [200].
st4n18 folds.
ZINNER42 folds.
WorldChampSc raises [400].
Sceaga is all-In [3530]
hitchchops folds.
wcatman19 folds.
cdobrin folds.
WorldChampSc calls [3230].
** Dealing Flop ** [ Qc, 4h, 5d ]
** Dealing Turn ** [ 2c ]
** Dealing River ** [ 5c ]
WorldChampSc shows [ Ad, 3s ] a straight, ace to five.
Sceaga shows [ Ah, Qh ] two pairs, queens and fives.
WorldChampSc wins 7860 chips from the main pot with a straight, ace to five
Sceaga finished in 16 place (there were 38 entries)
Poker: Where are the most useful on-line resources to check for poker information
Updated: Thursday 22nd June 2006
I will list here those URL I find myself visiting regularly. This will be a living post, so recheck regularly if you are interested and post your own URL or comments about my choices
Finding a game
Poker in Europe
http://www.pokerineurope.com/frontpage/index.php
UK Casinos
http://www.casinocity.com/uk/casinos.html
Rules of the game
World Poker Association
http://www.wpapoker.com/
Poker Tournament Directors Association
http://www.pokertda.com/
Robert's Rules (aka "the Bible")
http://www.pokercoach.us/
Shopping
Where I normally buy my stuff
http://www.casino-shop.co.uk/
Poker League
Statsgenie
http://www.statsgenie.com/Poker/
Other Stuff
Poker Odds calculator
http://www.cardplayer.com/poker_odds/texas_holdem
I will list here those URL I find myself visiting regularly. This will be a living post, so recheck regularly if you are interested and post your own URL or comments about my choices
Finding a game
Poker in Europe
http://www.pokerineurope.com/frontpage/index.php
UK Casinos
http://www.casinocity.com/uk/casinos.html
Rules of the game
World Poker Association
http://www.wpapoker.com/
Poker Tournament Directors Association
http://www.pokertda.com/
Robert's Rules (aka "the Bible")
http://www.pokercoach.us/
Shopping
Where I normally buy my stuff
http://www.casino-shop.co.uk/
Poker League
Statsgenie
http://www.statsgenie.com/Poker/
Other Stuff
Poker Odds calculator
http://www.cardplayer.com/poker_odds/texas_holdem
Poker: UK casinos and the law
I am eagerly awaiting to find out if Surrey Heath Borough Council have won a license to setup a large casino or not..... (if so, then Lakeside Country Club is one possible site, which would be great)
Some URL relating to UK law and casinos
Department for culture, media and sport
http://www.culture.gov.uk/gambling_and_racing/
Casino Advisory Panel
http://www.culture.gov.uk/cap/index.htm
The news release is at http://www.culture.gov.uk/cap/pressnotices/shortlist23_5_6.pdf
Regional: Blackpool; Brent; Cardiff; Glasgow; Greenwich; Manchester; Newcastle; Sheffield.
Large and Small: Bath & NE Somerset; Bournemouth; Brighton; Canterbury; Chelmsford; Dartford; Dudley; Dumfries and Galloway; East Lindsey; Gt Yarmouth; Hastings; Hull; Leeds; Leicester; Luton; Mansfield; Middlesbrough; Milton Keynes; Newham; N E Lincs; Peterborough; Restormel; Scarborough; Sefton; Solihull; Southampton; South Tyneside; Swansea; Thurrock; Torbay; Wolverhampton
Dammit, Surrey Heath didn't win, and Southampton gets another casino (they already have about 4) It means Reading or Souhampton will still be the closest card rooms for me, which is a bit of a pain.
Some URL relating to UK law and casinos
Department for culture, media and sport
http://www.culture.gov.uk/gambling_and_racing/
Casino Advisory Panel
http://www.culture.gov.uk/cap/index.htm
The news release is at http://www.culture.gov.uk/cap/pressnotices/shortlist23_5_6.pdf
Regional: Blackpool; Brent; Cardiff; Glasgow; Greenwich; Manchester; Newcastle; Sheffield.
Large and Small: Bath & NE Somerset; Bournemouth; Brighton; Canterbury; Chelmsford; Dartford; Dudley; Dumfries and Galloway; East Lindsey; Gt Yarmouth; Hastings; Hull; Leeds; Leicester; Luton; Mansfield; Middlesbrough; Milton Keynes; Newham; N E Lincs; Peterborough; Restormel; Scarborough; Sefton; Solihull; Southampton; South Tyneside; Swansea; Thurrock; Torbay; Wolverhampton
Dammit, Surrey Heath didn't win, and Southampton gets another casino (they already have about 4) It means Reading or Souhampton will still be the closest card rooms for me, which is a bit of a pain.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Poker: World Poker Association
I recently decided to join the World Poker Association (WPA) http://www.wpapoker.com/
The stated aims of the WPA are
The stated aims of the WPA are
- As a membership based nonprofit organization, all revenue generated will be used for the benefit of all its members.
- The Mission: To assure the integrity of tournament poker by establishing fair and consistent rules and procedures and thereby increase the opportunities of individual and organizational members worldwide.
- become the governing body for tournament poker worldwide
There is a $50 joining fee, for which there is currently very little benefit, but thought it was worth a pop for the first year at least. I hope being involved from the begining of such an organisation may have longer term benefits (I am pushing for free flights to Las Vegas for all members ;-) )
Like all new artificially imposed standards, it remains to be seen if the market will accept the rule of the WPA, but they seem to mean business and hope there will soon be announcements to tell us of great link ups to commercial organizations and the like.
Time will tell, so will keep you posted
Other WPA members blogs at
http://shadowbj21.blogspot.com/
http://www.razboynik.blogspot.com/
http://www.casinoexpat.blogspot.com/
Poker: is there such a thing as easy money ?
I recently started playing .10/.25 cash games on PartyPoker.com and started wondering about whether there is such a thing as easy money.
I normally play Tournaments or Sit and Go (STT) exclusively, so was only playing cash game as I didn't have enough money in my account even for a $5+1 STT After about 30 minutes I had taken my $2 up to $6 so went and played a STT instead. Trouble is, the low stake STT seem to be filled with fish who always seem to get lucky against me when I'm all in, and they only need to get lucky once to knock you out, so I found myself back to $0 balance !
Having topped up my account (again!) , I decided to investigate cash games further and maybe use that to fund my addiction to STT :-) Low stakes cash games seem to be favoured by complete novices, or seasoned players who are just looking for a relaxing game away from the pressures of higher stakes, so you need to be observant about the hands everyone else is playing. By playing ultra tight for the first 10 minutes and keeping track of the people on the table, you can start to be a bit looser, but generally tight is the way to go. I have been finding that with patience and lots of nagging myself to fold, I can take a $10 investment to $15 in around 20-30 minutes. Sometimes it takes up to an hour, so you really need patience so the hourly rate is not great. If you're concerned about a $/p hour rate of return then low stakes ain't for you, but for the moment I am happy to fiddle around in low stakes cash games, as it is relaxing and in general I will finish up on the night.
I will be back into tournaments soon for sure, but maybe I will mix up the games I play more in future as tournament and cash games definately need different strategies so being familiar with both types is a good thing.
Update wed 24th May 2006
To answer my own question, of course there is no such thing as easy money !
Played .10/.25 cash game again last night, was feeling a bit tired, but had to get my laptop out anyway and the wife was watching Eastenders so what was I going to do ? :-)
Was playing 4 handed for a while and was doing OK, then got a good win of a few bucks to take me to my target of $15.05 (from $10 starting) I was under the gun, two new players just joined the table and a program on TV was just starting that I had a vague interest in watching. Did I quit ? of course not ! I got dealt pocket 6's and with the two new players there was .80 in the pot already. I reasoned that the new guys would only call a raise of they got a good hand, and the other guys had been respecting my raises so felt I could risk $1 to win 0.80, then quit the game. The new guy to my left called and everyone else folded. With a high flop I checked and the new guy (I'll call him "Agro") put in a Pot Raise so I folded.
Mistake two was forgetting to de-select the option to auto-post blinds, as I was on BB. Agro raises minimum, and gets two callers, so I decide to call as well with rubbish ! Mistake 3, never chase money or play poker impatiently...... of course I miss the flop and it checks around to Agro, who puts in a pot sized raise, so everyone folds.
Few hands later I get in cheaply with QT and get up and down straight draw against Agro. I check, he puts in pot sized bet (about $1) He has been playing a lot of hands and winning pots without showing hands, so I guess I may be ahead so call. Turn brings no A or T for my str8, so check... and face another pot sized raise... I am not getting pot odds and am not sure where I am, so fold (Mistake 4, always think ahead)
I bumble along around $4-$7 stack size, until after an hours play Agro takes a whopping beating where he was betting big with A6 in his hand (pair sixes) against a scarey flop with Str8 and Flush possibilities although he actually lost to a Full House. He dropped about $30 and was now on $7 stack. There are 4 players left again, and I am about $4 and on SB, with Agro on BB. I sense a stealing oppertunity when the other two players limp in, as I am sure they will both be on medium drawing hands and will only call with good cards. I put in a raise to $1 and Agro raises to $2. The others fold. My Q4 o/s isn't looking so good now, but I put Agro as being on tilt after his big loss the hand before, so call. The pot is around $5 and I have about $2.50 The flop is 9-4-2 so go all in. Agro had 9-7 off so takes the pot and my remaining stack, so call it a night $10 down.
Although I seemed to be playing OK and reading players reasonably well, I definately should have quit after 30 mins playing when I hit my target, and in any case should not have carried on after my BB, as I was still ahead on the night at that point.... and should never play poker when feeling tired ! What an idiot !
So the lesson for today is "you can't win them all"
I normally play Tournaments or Sit and Go (STT) exclusively, so was only playing cash game as I didn't have enough money in my account even for a $5+1 STT After about 30 minutes I had taken my $2 up to $6 so went and played a STT instead. Trouble is, the low stake STT seem to be filled with fish who always seem to get lucky against me when I'm all in, and they only need to get lucky once to knock you out, so I found myself back to $0 balance !
Having topped up my account (again!) , I decided to investigate cash games further and maybe use that to fund my addiction to STT :-) Low stakes cash games seem to be favoured by complete novices, or seasoned players who are just looking for a relaxing game away from the pressures of higher stakes, so you need to be observant about the hands everyone else is playing. By playing ultra tight for the first 10 minutes and keeping track of the people on the table, you can start to be a bit looser, but generally tight is the way to go. I have been finding that with patience and lots of nagging myself to fold, I can take a $10 investment to $15 in around 20-30 minutes. Sometimes it takes up to an hour, so you really need patience so the hourly rate is not great. If you're concerned about a $/p hour rate of return then low stakes ain't for you, but for the moment I am happy to fiddle around in low stakes cash games, as it is relaxing and in general I will finish up on the night.
I will be back into tournaments soon for sure, but maybe I will mix up the games I play more in future as tournament and cash games definately need different strategies so being familiar with both types is a good thing.
Update wed 24th May 2006
To answer my own question, of course there is no such thing as easy money !
Played .10/.25 cash game again last night, was feeling a bit tired, but had to get my laptop out anyway and the wife was watching Eastenders so what was I going to do ? :-)
Was playing 4 handed for a while and was doing OK, then got a good win of a few bucks to take me to my target of $15.05 (from $10 starting) I was under the gun, two new players just joined the table and a program on TV was just starting that I had a vague interest in watching. Did I quit ? of course not ! I got dealt pocket 6's and with the two new players there was .80 in the pot already. I reasoned that the new guys would only call a raise of they got a good hand, and the other guys had been respecting my raises so felt I could risk $1 to win 0.80, then quit the game. The new guy to my left called and everyone else folded. With a high flop I checked and the new guy (I'll call him "Agro") put in a Pot Raise so I folded.
Mistake two was forgetting to de-select the option to auto-post blinds, as I was on BB. Agro raises minimum, and gets two callers, so I decide to call as well with rubbish ! Mistake 3, never chase money or play poker impatiently...... of course I miss the flop and it checks around to Agro, who puts in a pot sized raise, so everyone folds.
Few hands later I get in cheaply with QT and get up and down straight draw against Agro. I check, he puts in pot sized bet (about $1) He has been playing a lot of hands and winning pots without showing hands, so I guess I may be ahead so call. Turn brings no A or T for my str8, so check... and face another pot sized raise... I am not getting pot odds and am not sure where I am, so fold (Mistake 4, always think ahead)
I bumble along around $4-$7 stack size, until after an hours play Agro takes a whopping beating where he was betting big with A6 in his hand (pair sixes) against a scarey flop with Str8 and Flush possibilities although he actually lost to a Full House. He dropped about $30 and was now on $7 stack. There are 4 players left again, and I am about $4 and on SB, with Agro on BB. I sense a stealing oppertunity when the other two players limp in, as I am sure they will both be on medium drawing hands and will only call with good cards. I put in a raise to $1 and Agro raises to $2. The others fold. My Q4 o/s isn't looking so good now, but I put Agro as being on tilt after his big loss the hand before, so call. The pot is around $5 and I have about $2.50 The flop is 9-4-2 so go all in. Agro had 9-7 off so takes the pot and my remaining stack, so call it a night $10 down.
Although I seemed to be playing OK and reading players reasonably well, I definately should have quit after 30 mins playing when I hit my target, and in any case should not have carried on after my BB, as I was still ahead on the night at that point.... and should never play poker when feeling tired ! What an idiot !
So the lesson for today is "you can't win them all"
Cars: Lotus Exige S
Top Gear reviewed the Lotus Exige S on Sunday. I was droolling over it and wishing I didn't have to wait until march 2008 for my next car, but then Clarkson and Hampster started going on about how White was a great colour...... ugggghhhh, White looks horrid in my view. The car itself looks and sounds fantastic and I want one.... but it has to be either Dayglow Orange or Deepest Black in colour - nothing else looks good (maybe that bright lime colour may work, you can have a play around on the Lotus Web site colour selector http://www.grouplotus.com/car/car_coloursel.php?id=2)
Actually I really, really want the Exige Cup 240, but that will be really expensive
Mind you, the new Lotus Europa S will be more practical as a day to day car, oh what am I saying !
Actually I really, really want the Exige Cup 240, but that will be really expensive
Mind you, the new Lotus Europa S will be more practical as a day to day car, oh what am I saying !
Monday, May 22, 2006
I'd rather be playing poker
Hello,
Welcome to my new Blog. Frankly I would rather be playing poker, but it gives me a chance to vent my spleen about my latest bad beat, stupid all-in when I knew I was beat, misreading of opponent or whatever.
I am happy to enter into a discussion or just hear your feedback about my rantings (the whole point of a blog rather than a static web site!)
Not sure how much time I will have or how much I will have to say, but thought I'd give it a go
Will probably also bleat on about cars and other stuff as well
Welcome to my new Blog. Frankly I would rather be playing poker, but it gives me a chance to vent my spleen about my latest bad beat, stupid all-in when I knew I was beat, misreading of opponent or whatever.
I am happy to enter into a discussion or just hear your feedback about my rantings (the whole point of a blog rather than a static web site!)
Not sure how much time I will have or how much I will have to say, but thought I'd give it a go
Will probably also bleat on about cars and other stuff as well
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