Poker: First "big” live tournament

I was planning to try and satellite my way into the Black Belt Poker London Live II event anyway, but having got my windfall win thought I would just buy my way in directly.

Having said that, decided would give the satellite one more try.   I’d had one “free” go at the satellite (using my BBP points) back in January but hadn’t got around to trying again, so had another go last night.    There were 62 players each putting in $44 (or won their seat in the $5 or $1 feeder tournaments) and top 4 win their seat in the London Live event.  

In brief, I didn’t start well, then had a run of cards and was in the top 3, then after being very patient and feeling in control, with 6 players left had an incredible run of bad luck, being rivered on two big hands leaving me with about 7 BB.  Seeing ATo I decided to shove (as you do) only to be called by KK which took me out.   Although I got back $42 in prize money, I felt like I was cheated out of my seat by the Poker gods! 

No matter, as I bought directly into Day 1a (Friday 1st January) for $275 (£169)   Although I’ve played £200 buy-in before, this will be the biggest tournament I’ve ever played in from a player number and duration perspective.    Assuming it sells out (which it should do) there will be a total of 400 players (split over two starting days) then a second day of play on the Sunday for the survivors.    The first day is scheduled to run from Midday to Midnight so will be a long day (assuming I get that far!)

Not knowing when I will get knocked out makes the logistics quite tricky.      The last train back from Paddington is 10:30pm then the next one is 1:45am but only gets me to Reading (unless I want to wait 90 mins for the connecting train) so if I do well will be tricky to get home!   I might drive in, but can only imagine the horrors of finding a car park space, paying for it ! then the ignominy of facing rush hour traffic on a Friday night if I get knocked out in the early afternoon.     It’s a small price to pay for being able to play in this tournament though… and will be using the experience as a taster for Brighton UKIPT    (Actually the logistics for Brighton are a lot easier as will have to stay in a hotel for sure)

I am looking forward to this tournament very much and now I’ve registered for my seat and got the travel arrangements (kindof) sorted, it can’t come quick enough.  Roll on April!

Poker: Casino trip for staking

I’ll probably read this tomorrow and think “what the heck have I written…” as my brain is a bit mushy at the moment… still here goes…

We finally got it together and got Andy into the staked game.  It is still not ideal, as it is £50+5 for 6000 chips, then £5 for another 2500 chips, then maximum of 1 rebuy plus one add on (for 6000 chips each)    In our case, Andy stumped up the extra £5 himself anyways (as it is such good value) but obviously can only use one rebuy OR the add-on

In the end there are 58 players, all bar a couple of late arrivals with the full 8500 starting stack.   8 players will get paid.

I start out steady but am not getting anything playable anyway.  After a while, get 7-7 which looks huge compared to the cards I’ve been seeing, so decide to raise and get couple of callers.  The flop comes something like 8-6-4 so looks safe and I bet out…. getting one caller.   The turn comes 2 so shove all-in when checked to.  After thinking for a while I get called by 9-7 and manage to double up! 

Later on I get A-A and raise after UTG has limped.   Four for the flop which comes Qxx   UTG bets out and I re-raise to make sure only the two of us see the turn.   UTG checks to me and I ship all-in (about pot size bet) and after tanking for a while, UTG folds… muttering something about me having trips

I make it to the first break without the rebuy and decide not to take the add-on either, as have a healthy looking 24’000 with the average chips being around 18’000.   Andy didn’t take the rebuy, but needed the add-on to take him to 12’000 chips

Resuming after the break we are now playing in a freeze out, so no safety net!   I didn’t make any notes and have no clear recollections of any notable hands for this stage… so straight onto :-

Second break

I have 41’000 chips   Andy now has 34’500 mostly coming from winning with A-K against two players.  Average chips are around 25’000 with 24 players left running

The tables are breaking up as players drop out and I get moved to a new table.   Seems to be one aggressive villain on the table, who is raising a lot pre-flop.    On my BB (which is 2000 by now)  player to my left UTG raises to 6000 and aggro player shoves all-in for around 22k.   Looking down at my K-K I am pretty happy, but UTG has around 40k chips left, which is pretty similar to my stack.  My only choice is to shove, and UTG folds (8-8 he tells me after) and aggro player has A-Qh    The flop comes low but with 2 hearts.   The turn is safe enough, but the river comes another heart so am done on the river !

Couple of hands later, villain is UTG and raises, so I decide to shove my 5-5 on the button.   He calls and shows A-Ko but my5’s hold up and I’m back to just over what I started with (around 50k now)

I see Andy walking, he is out in around 22nd place.   According to his text, he ran his A-Q into A-A as his exit hand.

Third Break

Somehow I’ve got to 109’000 and am chip leader.   14 players are left and 50k is about the average stack.

Soon after resuming I raise with 7-7 in early position and see Q-7-x flop with one caller (George)   I see him lifting his chips so check and sure enough he shoves all-in and I call.   He shows Q-9s and sure enough hits his flush on the river ! leaving me around 53’000 chips

With the blinds going up, I have about 6 big blind stack size, so shove with Q-To from middle position.   Big blind insta-calls with A-Ko but I get a bit of luck for a change and a sole T on the turn doubles me up to around 110’000

It’s a tense time as we get towards the final table, but manage to get there.   We’re down to 9 players and I have around 110’000 chips (avg about 85k)

Final Table

I didn't get to make any notes at all at final table so this is all from memory !  

There are some short stacks, but everyone is shallow as blinds are up to 16’000 by now.

The table agrees that everyone will give £10 to whoever is out first (on the official money bubble) so £80 for 9th, £160 for 8th then around £210 for 7th.

The first hand on the final table has the shortest stack in the BB with 16’000 chips but he triples up.    Another 16’000 stack is on the BB soon, but she doubles up, so is anyone’s to take.  Eventually we start seeing players drop out and everyone is happy to see 9th and 8th places go quite quickly.

At around 3:15am with 7 players still very much battling, the manager suddenly turns round and tells us they are going to shut down the tournament in 20 mins and decide payout on chip stacks, this causes uproar as there is a lot of play still left.   I’m not particularly worried as I’m down to around 60k and the 20’000 blind is looming.

As play continues, I’m in the BB and a short stack shoves.  It folds to me, but its less than BB for me to call, so do so with A-x against his K-K   I get lucky (again) and hit my A so take out a player and have a more comfortable stack.    

With 6 left, I shove UTG with A-8 and get called by A-J    Lucky (again!) I hit my 8 take out another player!

Couple of hands later, lady in BB is almost all-in, then UTG shoves for a sizeable chunk of  chips.  My 8-8 could be good here and have chips behind if I loose, so shove and get in against BB with Q-8s plus UTG with A-K.   An A comes on the flop, but 8 hits the turn  (and make full house on river) and I take out two players in one, we are down to three players and I am big chip leader !!

We are under pressure from Casino to finish now.   One chap keeps asking to split the pot three ways equally, but that is daft idea by the chip counts.    In the end we play until 4am when the Casino is going to shut the cash desk (so they wouldn’t be paying us out!) and we have to end the game.   

I have 450k chips, 2nd player has 250k and 3rd player (George) has around 60k.    Despite being entitled to take the full £1900 for 1st  (£1000 for 2nd and £800 for 3rd) I decide to give away some value in a deal as the game was forcibly terminated, so ended up with me taking £1500  (also didn’t want to upset the “regs” as will doubtless want to play there again soon!)

In the end, got to bed around 5am – buzzing and happy….. not sure if I slept at all when Lynn starts wriggling and mentioning breakfast at 8am…!!

From the CamberleyBoyz perspective, it was a shame Andy didn’t cash as well (you can thank Bill for knocking me out the Satellite Game ) but Andy did a good job as it was a tough game   You really need that little bit of luck to do well in a tourney, just wasn’t Andy’s night.   I think it was quite a good idea doign the satalitte and will get your feedback whether it is something we want to do in future.

It was a shame the tournament didn’t go the a proper conclusion, but whichever way you look at it,  for me personally, the night was a huge triumph.  It also opens up all sorts of exciting possibilities (Might fancy a trip to Brighton in July )   so am tired but happy this morning.

Holiday: Trip to Bath

Went down to Bath on Sunday 13th February… bit of an odd time of year to go, but decided we needed a nice getaway for a few days.

Stayed in Haringtons Hotel, which was right in the centre of Bath, so great location.  The hotel itself was very clean and pleasant, with nice airy room and very quiet even though it was in the centre.   Breakfast was pretty ordinary but otherwise no problem with the hotel.

We were ready to explore by around 3pm, so went out for a reconnoitre in the drizzle and wind, which luckily we had prepared for!   Got soaked but had a good walk and a lovely cup of tea out and about.  

For evening dinner, we decided to walk literally across the road to the Raven Pub.   It seemed a “locals” pub, but the food was nice despite the tourist prices.   Everywhere we went in Bath seemed to charge a lot for food/drinks, I guess that’s the problem with holidaying in a tourist hotspot !

After dinner had another walk and ended up in the Volunteer Riflemans Arms pub for a drink.  It was about the size of a small front living room, but seemed friendly enough.  

Monday 14th Feb

Up around 8am for our designated “Shopping Day”  Didn’t need to get up so early as Breakfast is served 7:30am until 10am, but think Lynn was eager to get out and about!

In contrast to yesterday, the weather is bright and sunny, not a cloud in the sky, but there is a very chilly wind.    I bought a new compact camera then headed for the coffee house, of which there are loads to choose from so spoilt for choice.   Walked around shops, Lynn bought a watch, had pub lunch,  walked around more shops, had mid afternoon coffee, walked around some shops again and were both glad to get back to the room for a nice long rest.  

Being valentines night, decided to go out for a nice romantic meal.  Lynn fancied pizza so went to Pizza Express.    Wasn’t my choice, but happy enough as I like Pizza too

Tuesday 15th Feb

Today is our “Art & Culture day” but still up around 8am !    Back to drizzle and cold wind, but we are well wrapped up and expect to be indoor most of the time.   First went to Jane Austin Centre but wasn’t open yet… so went to No. 1 Royal Crescent… and that wasn’t open yet either… we’re obviously too keen. 

Luckily the Fashion Museum was just about to open when we got there at 10:30am so were able to get inside and see something.  also took the opportunity to have a nice cup of tea and a Bath Bun in the coffee shop there

Next stop was Bath Aqua Glass.   We paid the couple of quid to sit and watch the glass blowers at work, mainly because it was fantastic to be a nice warm environment and can sit and watch other people working for hours Also has a look round their small shop but didn’t buy anything in the end.  

Lunch soon beckoned, after which we went to the Victoria Art Gallery  The guest exhibitors were rubbish, but had some nice art work, pottery and glass to see in the upstairs gallery.  It is also one of the few free places to visit so good value for money!

Went back to the Jane Austin Centre and managed to get in this time.   It was quite fun, but didn’t really amount to that much so was quite expensive for what you got (more so than the other attractions we had been to today)   After such a hectic day, we we had our fill of culture and headed back to the room for a well earned rest.

Evening meal was at the Firehouse Rotisserie.   The food seemed quite expensive and didn’t even get veg with your main dish unless you ordered them separately (another £7 on top).  Having said that, the food was exquisite and did get good portions so I guess you just have to pay for good quality.  

Wednesday 16th Feb

Another bright and sunny day, but with less wind so a bit warmer.   Nothing specific planned for today, so just wander around aimlessly really.   went into the Abbey which was quite spectacular.

Then decided to go to the Museum of Astronomy, but once we’d walked there, Lynn decided she didn’t want to go… so went back to No.1 Royal Crescent, but found it didn’t open until Saturday so we’re having a nice walk but not getting to see everything we expected !      Popped into the Fashion Museum as we were walking by and National Trust members get in free (to use their very nice toilet facilities) then rather than going to the Building of Bath museum decided to go and get some lunch. 

After such a hectic few days, Lynn was getting a bit worn out (and me!) so just had a leisurely stroll round the shops in the afternoon and found a nice coffee shop to rest in.    Also decided to go into the local Salamander pub for dinner as it was close by, but did some decent “normal” food which went down very well.

Thursday 17th Feb

Up and on the road by 9:30am today and off to Bognor Regis.  The day starts out dull and misty, but by the time we get to Bognor just before midday, it is brilliant sunshine and pretty warm as well !

Had a quick walk on the beach, then it’s time for our Fish & Chip lunch.    Walked around town for a bit but decided not to stay the night and headed off for home.   Stopped at Caffe Verdi in Midhurst for nice coffee and cake

We had a lovely break and Bath was definitely a good place to visit for a few days.   The weather didn’t matter as there were so many places to visit undercover, although is definitely nicer walking around when it wasn’t raining.     It did seem quite expensive to eat out and get into some of the attractions (and I don’t normally notice such things) but Bath does has a lot to offer and is very compact city, so suited our requirements and have no regrets in going there.

Poker: Casino Trip for £100 game

Myself, Jon and Bill excitedly escorted Andy to play in the £100 freeze out at the Casino last night.   

We were horrified to see a sign at the cash desk saying that as from 4th Feb, the first Friday is now a £50 entry with unlimited rebuys for 90 mins (and an add-on).   We retired to the bar to decide what to do, as clearly did not really suit our purpose.

After a discussion we decided to abandon the staking arrangement for tonight as there was no way to predict how much money would be needed.  I was not keen to play at all, but as the others were up for playing anyway, and as we were on site and keyed up, decided to have a go.   

The problem I have with the rebuy tournaments is you get a lot of people just gambling it up and so you can end up being stacked by all sorts of crap hands.   In the early stages my table had a couple of raise anything players and lots and lots of limping, so took it steady (I wasn't getting any decent hands anyway!)   In a Blind vs Blind scenario I did win a small pot with my Q-J against Q-2 on a Q-8-8-x-x board, but then in the second level managed to get all-in against a small stack with A-7 on a A-6-2 flop, only for the small stack to have A-2!  I didn't improve so was down to about 1/2 my starting stack.   Did decide to rebuy straight away and sat there throwing hands away looking for something decent

Just before the end of rebuys, I was in small blind with Q-9o   The UTG player (who was a serial raiser) put in a small raise, then the next player folded, but accidently showed a Q.  The raiser made an exclamation and seemed dismayed a Q had gone, so when an aggressive player on button also called, the sensible choice for me was to fold my hand even though was tempting from pot odds perspective.   The BB called as well so three players saw the 9-9-6 flop !    The UTG player led out and aggro player called, so was livid when the turn came another 9  as I would’ve tripled up.  
I was probably slightly tilted, as on the next hand it folded to me on the button and so raised A-6d   I expected SB to fold as he was solid/tight, and BB to call… but they both called.   The flop looked OK for me being 7-5-4 rainbow, especially as it was checked to me.  With just over pot stack left, I decided to shove, expecting SB to fold and BB to call with 2 almost random cards.    It almost went to plan as SB folded and BB called, but with 7-6o so was behind and hoping to catch for a split pot!    The turn gave small hope with a flush draw, but river was a brick, so had no chips.    

Here is the problem for me with £50 buy-in…. had it been £10 or £20 I would have had a double buy-in plus the add-on which was about 5 mins away, to give me a decent 15000 chips to play on with…. but didn’t want to spend another £150 so decided to give up (seems like the Poker gods were indicating this to be a sensible move )

There were around 45 players starting in the end, and I was out in about 4oth place as several players had already given up like me.

As it was now the first break (and end of rebuys) I waited to see how the other lads were doing.   All three had around 15000 chips each at that point (including add-on) and had all spent just the initial £60 plus one add-on (or rebuy) for £50

I was going to relax by spending my last £50 on the blackjack table (Madame Roulette had already stolen £60 from me ) but then Andy pointed out there was a cash game starting up (with mostly Tournament players) so thought I may as well give it a go.    There were 9 players (including Bill who’d joined) and I recognised one player as a wild gambler.     Started steady and managed to win one small pot to take me back to starting stack levels, then folded a few.   The wild gambler was raising most hands or posting straddle bet so seemed like a good player to target.  

As the tourney was about to restart we were soon on our last hand (only played about 15 hands!)   The mad gambler was on BB, the next player had posted a straddle bed (£4) and the next chap (who seemed solid) had limped.  With 9-9 decide I wouldn’t mind taking the pot, but more likely get heads up against wild gambler, so raised to £24    Got a call from one player with £21 and wild gambler called as well, the other two fold, so plan working so far.   Flop comes 8xx and wild gamber checks.  He has a huge range, so shove my remaining £28 odd and he calls.   the turn is Q and river is 4.  Wild gambler says he’d missed and folds when I show my 9-9   Other caller had A-K so had missed as well and I’ve won a huge pot.     After the rake I end up walking away with £120 !  so only £40 down on my Poker activities for the night.

Although slightly disappointing evening, I ended up feeling fairly pleased overall….and of course will have to escort Andy to the Casino another night in February for the staking game

Poker: Home Tourney–February 2011

Another good turnout this month and for some reason the whole game was filled with all kinds of craziness and emotions.   Just your average game of Poker then

On my table Andy started to get his backers worried by having about three double buy-in’s in the first level, but then it was Derek’s turn to start racking up the double buy-in’s, easy surpassing Andy’s relatively meagre number.   

My game started out well enough, with A-K hitting a K on the flop and getting a good haul of chips and soon after Q-Q took an even bigger pot and put me firmly in the chip lead with around 10’000 chips in the first level.   After that I was fairly low key, picking my spots, but with most flops having 4 callers no matter what the action, it was difficult to be too tricky.   For this reason I limped Q-Q UTG and there were 5 for the A-x-x flop.   Karen on my right and in Big Blind led out so I immediately folded.  She did get one caller and won the pot with her A-Q !   I must’ve sensed her cards as that one could’ve got messy for me..    Q-Q is my hand of the night, as in the second level I get Q-Q again and make a big raise.   Andy comes over the top and shows A-K   Sadly for me Andy hit the K and I’m down to around 7000 chips, being slightly over average stack at this point.

With the last rebuy approaching, Jon joins Derek in the double rebuy derby but has left it too late to win the most rebuys of the night (I think Derek won that easily!)

By the break I am around 12’000 chips and with the average around 10’000  

I manage to go card dead so am patiently waiting for a good spot.   With Roger to my left, on the odd occasion it folds to me in the Small Blind, I attack Rogers BB with any two and take blinds uncontested, but otherwise have to have a hand to see a flop with the game dynamic as it is

It’s all tense and chips move around the table, but after a couple of blind increases, short stacked Jon finds himself all-in with A-4s against Derek who’s got A-A  so Jon’s out first but gets the £1 bounty from Lee (as Lee isn’t playing)   Simon soon joins him as next out, so missed the bounty by about 2 minutes !

As there’s so many chips in play, it takes until the next blind level before we see another player out.   Derek shoves into my BB and I’ve got Q-9o   Its about 3000 more, leaves me around 7000 chips if  loose, Derek could be pushing with any two high cards and there’s a £5 bounty for knocking him out, so I call    I’ve got my chips in very badly, as he shows A-Q but hit my 9 on the flop and am lucky to take Derek out and win the fiver!

We’re into the second last level of 2000/1000 blinds and still have 10 players !   Only Darren gets knocked out this level, so the last blind level sees us playing 9 handed.    As it turned out, Bill goes out fairly quickly and at last we have the final table

With blinds at 4000/2000 and average stack is around 16000, things should be happening quickly now.   I’ve got 12000 and am in the big blind      Andy on my left goes all-in first hand and takes out Steve W who was all-in on the BB anyway.    The next hand I look down at Q-Q (again!)   Mick and Karen call, so I shove all-in.  Andy immediately calls, then Mick calls but Karen ducks out.   Mick shows A-2h and Andy T-9s.  My sense of foreboding doesn’t improve when there are two hearts and a 9 on the flop.   The heart on the turn seals my fate and I’m out.

At the end of normal time we still have 6 players left in !!   Andy is down to about 2000 chips and is taken out by Roger.      Then Roger gets taken out by Alex.  The last hand was between short stack Sean and Mick who had 2nd locked up anyway.  The last had was a bizarre and fitting end to a weird and wonderful game, when the flop came Q,T,9 diamonds, then K diamonds on the turn and the J diamonds on the river gives both players the K high straight flush on the board!

Wow, fantastic, weird and wonderful game even by our own standards, what on earth is gonna happen at next months £10 special ? !!