Poker : Mansion Poker progress report

In my previous Bankroll/sponsorship entry, I had been playing 4 days and made good progress.

Unfortunately since then, I have gone a bit backwards in terms of hit rate, but has been quite interesting experience so far.   In 10 days I have managed to play a total of 51 STT games (mix of 6 and 10 seaters), cash in with 19 of them, giving me a profit of £88

I am finding that the $20 level of STT relatively “easy” in that although most games are tough, there are normally at least a couple of “donks” who will play reckless and hopefully give you all their chips :-)   

Last night was quite tough for me though, as I went through what seemed like a huge number of bad beats in several games, all at the bubble stage so ended up going from chip lead to being out on the bubble  (actually, looking back I have finished on the bubble 8 times of the 51 games!) !!!   Still, that’s Poker, as they say….

It is quite tricky to play lots of games, one after another, but most of the time is quite fun and most definitely absorbing all the time

Unfortunately am on holiday next week, so will not be having any more games until Monday 24th at the earliest… just hope I don’t forget how to in the meantime ;-)

Will keep you updated how things go in a few weeks time…..

General: Nice meal out

Went to Clocke Hat Restaurant last Saturday.  The service and ambience was superb, choice and quality of food and drink was marvellous so had a wonderful meal.  (even being the driver didn’t detract from the experience)

Was there any downsides ?   Well, it was a bit pricey, but for a special occasion it is well worth the expense in my opinion

Poker : Bankroll/sponsorship

Want to play poker for free but still have the ability to earn from it ?   

You either need to grind away at the freerolls, or try to get someone to sponsor you

Luckily there are some places that will consider sponsoring you, but you need to be able to prove you’re good enough (and put in quite a few hours of effort on a regular basis of course)

I am currently registered with Black Belt Poker (http://www.blackbeltpoker.com/) but they haven’t opened up the grading process there yet for the sponsorship, but also came across Bankroll Supply (http://www.bankrollsupply.com/) that looks fairly interesting

For the Bankroll Supply, I need to play for a month to prove myself.   So far I have managed to play 21 STT and cash in 10 of them !   Fingers crossed :-)

Poker : Home Tournament – August 2009

Its a typical English August evening… yes, it’s pouring with rain ! but that did not dampen the spirits nor enthusiasm of the Poker players :-)

The evening started out with brisk business for the re-buys as everyone is in the mood for gambling it seems.   I sit back for a while but no cards come my way and find myself drawn into some dodgy draws because of the pot odds.   Soon find myself rebuying as draws don't materialize and am not getting any good hands to raise it up with pre-flop.

As the end of rebuys approaches I am delighted to see pocket A but have just had a rebuy so on 500 chips.   Sean before me goes all-in for 500 so I follow suit and we are called by two others (fairly typical for the night)   The pot gets checked down to the showdown but there are all low cards and a flush possible…. sure enough Sean has has hit his flush and takes a large pot.   In typical Sean style,couple of hands later he is sticking all the chips in the middle but this time looses to Roger, who is on fire tonight !

Sean does show some control by folding to my raise all-in when we are blind on blind, but Derek rabbit hunts the flop cards and Sean's J-7 would have flopped a full house (I was ahead with A-T) 

My big win of the night (I don’t remember winning more than 2 or 3 pots all night) was with 6-4s on the SB   There are about 5 to see the flop, which comes 6 high, so I lump in a pot sized bet and get one caller.   The turn is a K but I only have a few chips left so they go all in and to my surprise win the showdown with my 6 !   That gave me about 2000 chips and is about where I was when rebuys stop.

After the break I am still struggling to get any cards worth playing, especially when calling the BB is 10% of my chips !   I put in a couple of calls to see flops cheaply with mediocre cards, but the flops are never good to me so end up folding.  I do remember winning another hand but that only took me to about 2500 which is probably my peak of the night.   Luckily other people are in worse shape than me, and Derek is the first one out.  It was probably a relief for him as he’d been in pain with his cracked rib all night !   Immediately after, Jon on the other table gets knocked out to continue the reigning champions dire season  (Jon, you must know how Lewis Hamilton feels :-) )

Steve and Sean are the short stacks on my table, both now in the blinds.  Steve makes a move for the pot, but Sean's not great hand is better than Steve’s so another player goes down

More or less the next hand though, Sean is taken out by Simon and Karen gets busted out exactly the same time by Alex on the other table…. slightly spooky ? ;-)

Now with 9 players left, everyone is hanging on for the final table and it looks like I will be the bubble boy… however Bill (on his normal form) helps me out by busting Jock and Alex on the other table, just as I wake up with A-Ks on the BB   Lee has just raised but I am calling but unfortunately his K-K holds up and I am out in 7th

The final table of 6 is unusually early, Bill and Roger have large pile of chips and Steve W, Lee and Simon are under pressure now the blinds are 1000/500  

Steve W and Lee are early casualties and we are already down to 4 with two rounds left to play

It doesn't take long for chips to start flying around, mainly Bill’s but he hits a run of luck to double up against Roger.    He then gets lucky to take out Andy (who had been quiet all night as he was doing well… I am sure this has happened before!)

Roger gets busy as he is the short stack, but despite winning a couple of hands to get into 2nd, he runs into a better hand against Simon and is out in 3rd (receiving all the loose change in prizes , including Sean and Karen's coppers)

The final heads up is interesting but Bill’s luck has finally run out…. he is getting reasonable hands, but Simons are always slightly better….it is all over with 4 hands to play as Simon has enough chips to fold to a win, but even though the hands are played out Bill cannot persuade Simon to take any risks and Bill finishes second with Simon taking another deserved win

Great game, very lively tonight so can’t wait for the next one

General: Cinema “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince”

Went to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince last night at the local Vue cinema

I thought it was a good Harry Potter film, engrossing and following the book (so far as I remember) but Lynn thought it a bit disappointing.   In some ways I do agree, but only in so far as the book on which it is based is slightly weak.    Also the film did not have the climatic ending of the book, so maybe that contributed as well

There were good “scary” moments and some good comedy moments in the film, so I think a bit of something for everyone.   Harry Potter fans will certainly want to see the film, those not familiar with Harry Potter will probably not have a clue what is going on though :-)

Poker: EPT Barcelona again

Last time I did OK, but still not getting the top prize, but this time round there were 18 people in the running, but I finished 13th after 20 minutes !

Just didn't get any good luck.... most pots were raised so only playing a few hands, but one hand I dropped around 400 of my 1500 starting chips when my A-T was re-raised by a really tight player.... my bet on the A-x-x flop got no respect and he went all-in on the river.  I was convinced I was behind so folded...

After that I was always struggling and ended up going all-in with 5-5 and was disappointed to see a call then re-raise all-in which was called.... one player had Q-Q but the other had K-J and hit 2 pair on the flop then full house on the turn so was victim of poor timing !

I don't have enough FPP for another go now... so will have to pay to try next time !

Poker : WCOOP announced

Pokerstars have announced the World Championship Of Online Poker (WCOOP) schedule, starting 3rd September 2009

Like I did before with the Spring event (SCOOP), I am hoping to Satellite my way into one or two of the events, so will update this blog with any activities (particularly if I get lucky !)

Music: Elkie Brooks at Camberley

On Saturday we went to see Elkie Brooks at the Camberley Theatre with Simon and Lil

I know of Elkie, mainly through her Vinegar Joe albums, so wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but within 30 seconds of her starting to sing, I knew we were in for a good night of music !

Elkie was singing brilliantly, with complete disregard for her age… and was also bounding round the stage like a youngster :-)

The first hour of the set was mainly the classics, which were great… the musicians and Elkie singing were fantastic, but after the break they focused mainly on the blues and in my view was even better

Only problem with such a great performance is that I will now have to take a look through her back catalogue and get a couple of albums !

Poker: Last chance for Late Night Poker qualification

After last night's late night and a busy day at work, I was ready for bed by tea time, but this is the last night for qualification to Late Night Poker so decided I had to give it a go.   My last attempt to qualify was not a great success and so playing whilst feeling fatigued and watching Friday night TV doesn't sound like a recipe for a great game either.....

The game kicks off at 7:15pm with 1464 entrants and the top 27 progressing to round 2.    There is a mix of players, some who seem not to have turned up and those who are chucking in their chips at every opportunity.    I am trying to play sensibly, but get some semi-decent hands that I have to call a raise pre-flop, but throw away on the flop to an all-in bet (when I miss) so my starting stack of 1500 is soon down to around 900.     Luckily I get a good run and start hitting flops, so by the first break after 45 min's am in 101st place out of 727 remaining players with 6315 chips (avg 3020)

I have the luxury of being able to bully when an opportunity appears, but mainly just be tight aggressive and push like crazy when I think (or know!) am ahead.   Overall I am doing OK, although get lucky a couple of times when I go in behind, but also find myself throwing away a huge number of rubbish cards that would have been winners... two full houses on the flop, several flushes and straights by the turn - never seen so many monsters thrown away in one game before !

The second break at 9pm sees me 46th from 190 with 16'916 chips (avg 11557) so still doing OK

The game starts to get a bit tighter now, as most of the idiots have been taken out so have to think a bit more, which is a bit tricky for me tonight... but not feeling so tired now after a couple of beers !

The next break is 10pm and I've been a bit up and down... but now in 26th from 70 with 34'671 chips (Avg 31371) so still hanging in there.      It starts to get a bit more loose, aggressive now, as the people in the relatively short stacks have to attack more to move up the rankings.... I manage to stay around the 20th to 30th mark and am 23rd from 49 players at 10:25pm

Down to the last 32 things are very tense.   I limp with T-9 behind 4 other limpers as there is a lot of value and am happy to see a 9 high flop and straight draw for me.    One player min-bets but I decide it's make or break time as think it unlikely he would have an over pair to the flop and go all-in   Unfortunately he had T-T and I don't improve so am out in a gut wrenching 32rd place after 3.5 hours playing time !

I am very disappointed I didn't get through, but on reflection it is OK as had I got through round 1, as then I would have to play round 2 tonight (starting at 8:35pm) and would need to finish in the top 18 out of 390 entrants to go through to the final round.  

The final round is on Sunday night at 7:35pm which only the winner out of 115 players will actually go through to the Late Night Poker TV tables !    They are certainly not making it easy this time round !!   Maybe I won't bother at all next time... it seems more likely I could win the lottery than get to the TV tables :-)

Poker: CamberleyBoyz descend on Casino

At last we managed to get another casino trip organised.  It has been nearly a year since my last trip and very, very nearly a year since the CamberleyBoyz went to the Casino, so about time !

My evening started out with my customary luck on the Roulette but also the Blackjack this time, so unless my Poker night is disastrous, I have won enough to pay for my Poker already :-)

There are 40 runners and the CamberleyBoyz consists of myself, Derek, Jon, Andy, Alex, Sean and Karen so confidence is high that some of will meet on the final table

I can’t remember much about the game overall, but I do remember that I was doing quietly well to begin with and peaked at around 5000 chips but then hit a bad patch when I bottled out with top pair and average kicker and frittered more chips away, suddenly finding myself very low in the last three hands before rebuys ended.   I ended up going all in and loosing the 2nd last hand, then sticking in my 2000 chips blind on the last hand but won it !   So in the end, I spent £50 on the poker and had won £60 before so did have enough winnings to cover my nights entertainment :-)

After the final add-ons, the average stack was around 5000 and the chips standings at the break are:

• Mike 5400
  Jon   4900
  Alex 10’700
  Sean 4000
  Karen 3000
  Derek 2500
  Andy 4100

Things get a bit hazy after that, but with the seat moves I now have Jon and Karen on my table…. and manage to take out Karen when I get dealt A-A !

There is soon more table consolidation and I’m on a table with Sean and Alex.   Things are getting tense and play is tight, then Sean goes on a bender and doubles up… .then soon sticks it in the middle again but gets knocked out this time (in around 15th ?) 

At last we have the final table, with myself, Alex and Jon all making it to the last 10 players.   Only the top 7 should get paid, but the table agrees to pay 8th, 9th and 10th £20

This is just as well as I get a bit too aggressive with pocket 3’s and get called by pocket 9’s   The 9 on the flop and runner-runner to make the other guy a flush was all a bit unnecessary in my view, but I was always behind so take 10th place and £20 prize

Just time to spend my £20 on roulette and get a drink, then Jon is out in 9th.  He has 4-4 against 8-8 (same guy I went out to) but again does not improve and is out in 9th.

By the time we leave Alex playing, there are only 7 players left.    In the end Alex split 1st and 2nd place prize money when they got heads up

Approximate finishes were:

Derek  30th ?
Andy   28th ?
Karen  20th ?
Sean  15th ?
Mike  10th  (£20)
Jon     9th     (£20)
Alex   Joint 1st !  (£590)

Not a bad showing from the CamberleyBoyz overall, and congratulations to Alex on a hard fought and well deserved top place finish

Poke: Late Night Poker qualifier

As there is little time left to qualify, thought I'd better have another go at the Late Night Poker qualification.

Started out OK and got as little above starting stack, then dropped some and then won a few hands, so by the break was 361 out of 978 (1743 players had started) with 1557 chips (avg 2929)

I managed to survive well after the break and had actually got to around 4500 chips when I flopped two pairs when on the BB (8-4-x flop)   Bet out and got two callers but the turn was a 2.   Shoved all my chips in and got a caller from some idiot with a flush draw (which the turn had given him) but of course..... (after all it had to be a bad beat story this time...) another spade came on the river and am out in around 831st place   

Damn shame, but it didn't cost anything so shouldn't be too upset... :-(

Poker: EPT Barcelona - 2nd try

After the first try to qualify for EPT Barcelona, I couldn't wait to try again ... so had another go tonight.

This time there were 18 players for the off.    After a reasonable start, I had got up to 1860 chips and 4th from 17 players by the 2nd level.   I then had a key hand, whereby with A-A I got it all in against two other players, who had Q-Q and J-J would you believe !   Of course a Q came on the flop, but luckily that player had been short stacked and I actually won more chips than he did from the 2nd pot    Even so, by the end of L2 I was in 3rd with 2350 chips (avg=2454)

L3 saw me get a good win and got to 2nd with 4755 chips by the end of this level

L4 was same solid play and we got to the top 9 players    As before, only 1st place gives entry to the next level, but top 9 get their stake back.... so will definitely be able to have another go !     Funnily enough, the 6th place finisher hadn't been at the table all game so you don't even need to turn up to win back your stake !

The end of L4 sees me with 7630 chips and 2nd place from the last 5 runners   Chip leader is 7700 so very close at this stage

The next level sees two more players quickly go, and one player is down to around 3000 chips..... but the key hand saw me with Q-J in the BB... the chip leader min-raised (as normal) so I called.  The flop of Q-J-2 was good for me, so raised the flop and bet the 4 on the turn.   The 5 came to give possible flush and was re-raised when I bet out, but folding now left me with only 2000 chips, so called anyway....  unfortunately this is not even a bad beat story as he had A-Q so was always behind !!    Ended up with 3rd place, so getting closer.

Oh well, try again next week I guess........

Poker : mid year report

Having been reminded about my objectives for this year when writing my previous post, I thought it a good time to review my main objective for this year, which is to break even in my day-to-day online game

On re-reading my end of 2008 musings, I realised  that I am veering off my intended route a little bit, but overall am keeping to my strategy

So far this year, I have managed to be more strict with myself on my Bankroll Management Strategy, but this at least has resulting in less violent swings in my fortunes.  

At the end of May I was down on the year, due to one very poor day in January, which was the only time I really ignored by Bankroll strategy as well….   just goes to show….  Luckily for me, June was an excellent month with a couple of really good results, which has really given me a great chance to achieve my desire of at leave break even this year as I am now up $200   

Whilst I am not really all that worried about it (as it is still a cheap hobby for me) I really believe my game is better than my results and think most of my “leaks” have historically been due to playing at a level over my bankroll and getting involved in too many “new” games, like the HORSE and 8 game.

This year however, I am determined to keep within my bankroll and am now comfortable with the games I play (I often win the 8 game or HORSE games….) so just need to keep my discipline and get lucky :-)

Poker: EPT Barcelona or bust !

In addition to my so far feeble attempts to qualify for Late Night Poker, my other main ambitions this year are to break even for the year. but more importantly to qualify for an live EPT event.   Pokerstars are running satellite qualifiers for EPT Moscow in August, but the one of interest to me is EPT Barcelona in September.  

 

I have just over 1000 Frequent Player Points (FPP) which you accumulate  by playing on the site, so was delighted to see a qualifier game for 1000 FPP with one player going though to the next round for every 10 players.     It was kicking off at 5:30pm so a decent time of day as well, so signed up !

In the end there were 16 players so only the winner goes through and 2nd-7th places get their 1000 FPP back as a prize.   The standard of play seemed pretty good, with most players being Tight Aggressive (TAG) and respectful of the others.    First hand I got K-K ! but wasn't expecting any action to my raise... as it happened someone re-raised me.    I nearly went all-in but decided to just call.... but when there was no A on the flop I bet out and took a good size pot.  The very next hand I got A-Ks so raised and the same player as before re-raised... again I just called but this time there was an A on the flop so bet out and he folded again !    Next hand I got A-5s and decided to raise again (mainly for the comedy value)  This time everyone folded.....

After that it was back to the normal rubbish to mediocre cards, so played it tight and steady.

It only took to just before the first break, before we got to the prizes (7 players) so I was now guaranteed at least another chance as I get back my stake but really needed to win it.   I'm 4th with 2310 chips (Avg 3428) so feel I have a chance

With a couple of short stacks, it doesn't take long before we are down to 5 players  (Avg 4800 chips)  I am now 2nd with 5270 and chip leader has 10'335, so still in there but have to get aggressive     Luckily I soon see pocket T's and re-raise a shorter stack who calls with A-4   The flop and turn are blanks making me about 94% to double up... but of course the river brings the heartbreaking A to take me down to about 690 chips !

Couple of hands later and the blind approaching I stick it in with Q-Ts but the lucky fellow who took my chips calls with Q-J and I'm out in 5th.    Obviously finishing 5th, 7th or 2nd are all the same, so had to go for the win.   Felt I played pretty well and had that A not come on the river would almost certainly have got to down to the final 2 (and who knows after that!)

At least I still have all my FPP intact and will be trying the same again before too long (probably next week!)   Lets hope for better luck next time.....

Poker : Home Tournament – July 2009

It was a hot night in Camberley and the silly season was upon us :-)

A crazy night of poker ensued, from what started out as a fairly typical night for me….

I started out steady but Jon was quickly scooping up the chips and getting a good size stack from the beginning.   I then had a good run of cards and managed to get a load of chips, some from Jon, Alex and Roger (so far as I can remember)  

By the break I was on around 6000 chips and looking strong, Jon had fallen back a bit, as had Alex and Jock who were a bit low on chips.  Roger had the double buy in to keep him going.

I was still going great and was hitting cards, but then Jock got busted out by Jon and Derek came to our table to keep the numbers even and my luck changed !   Derek’s first hand on our table  I had pocket T and raised the pot.  Derek in the SB called and Alex folded.   The flop came K-K-J and as Derek only had around 1000 left and the pot was 2700 I just put him all-in.  Of course he had K-T so immediately called and took a decent pot.   Couple of hands later I was on BB with K-T, Derek called from button and Alex was all-in from SB.   The flop came Ten high, so Derek and I checked, the turn of 9 saw me check call Dereks bet of 1000, and same on the blank river    Derek had pocket 9’s of course, so took out Alex and a load of my chips… leaving me quite short

Later in the game, Derek gave a load of chips to Jon, but Jon gave some of them to Roger… but now Roger was taking my chips as well, but that was my own fault for calling on the SB with 8-3 and getting a straight draw…..

Now dangerously low in chips, I was happy to hear that Lee was knocked out as this meant I had made the final table !   

I was actually the low stack on the final table, but Steve only had a few extra chips and was in the BB !   He didn’t get any luck and was out in 8th…. Derek was next up in the BB with a low stack and also got taken out so I am going up the rankings fast !   In the BB I had 1000 in already and 200 behind, but with 5-2 it isn’t looking good for me… not even the 2 on the flop cheered me up, but Jon, myself and Andy all checked it down to the river and to my surprise and delight… I won the pot !

Giddy with success, (and with the blinds now up to 2000/1000) the very next hand I see an opening when everyone folds to my SB, so go all in against Karen with Q-7s   Unfortunately my timing was a little out, as Karen was sitting in BB with A-A  which held up and I was out in 6th (albeit better finish than I was expecting!)

With the high blinds, Andy has to take a chance and shoves his chips in but doesn’t have enough chips to scare Roger off who called with K-4s   The K on the river is enough to see off Andy and the last 4 players have only 4 hands left to play   

Jon is almost all-in on the SB so automatically calls even though Roger raises…. but his desperate gamble doesn’t pay and Jon is out on the bubble

Sean is last in chip count so goes all-in from the button to win the blinds, next hand sees Roger all=in against Karen but although starting out behind, Roger hits his hand and leaves Karen with around 1400 chips

The last hand is a classic, with Sean all-in from the button, Karen folds to retain a few chips, but Roger calls.     Sean would have won by folding and Roger was guaranteed 2nd by folding, but fair dues they are both up for it and play anyway… Sean having A-A against Rogers Q-Q !!  No-one improves, so Roger takes 3rd, Karen 2nd and Sean wins

It was a lively game tonight and a bit more raucous than normal… must be the heat :-)  Certainly produced some exciting Poker so will have to turn up the heating next time ;-)

Poker : Late Night Poker is back !

I was delighted to discover that the “Late Night Poker” series is coming back and Full Tilt are running freerolls for online qualifiers.  See http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/late-night-poker for full details

I had a go last night (freerolls run at 7:15pm UK time) but only managed about 900th out of 2000 players.  The last hand was a bit annoying as a donkey player went all-in, a short stack called and I had pocket 7’s so decided to call as well.   The donk had T-4 and the short stack had A-J so I was in fairly good shape, especially with the flop of 8-8-Q and a blank turn… but the river of Q gave everyone a higher two pair!!  I would have almost tripled up for the river and been in good shape to get into the top 27 players who go to the next round….    Oh well, at least it didn’t cost me anything.   I expect I will be trying again :-)

Holiday: Weymouth - June 2009

Saturday -3 hours to arrive    Nice apartment.   Hot and sunny.   Went round town & got provisions, unpacked then went out to dinner at Ship Inn on Quayside (nice food large portions)

Sunday - decided to have a beach day, but had to buy me some swimming trunks.   Hot but a little windy at times, Veterans parade in the morning, very busy everywhere.   Evening went to pub 50 yds up road for Carvery (Nothe Tavern), which was large portions and very nice... managed a pudding as I didn't have a starter this time

Monday - nominally a shopping day as expected heavy rain, but morning dawned bright & sunny, albeit a little bit cooler with the stronger wind..... but ended up on Beach again in the morning.   After lunch only had half hour or so as the sun went behind hazy cloud.  So ended up having a nice cream tea and walked round shops.  Went out for Fish & Chip supper on the quayside in the Fish & Chip restaurant

Tuesday - Market day in Portland so get the tourist bus from the square, which took in the Olympic venue and the castle before stopping at the market... the views from the bus and from the top of the hill where the market is were spectacular !   Weather was cold in the wind, but otherwise sunny and warm all day !   Got the bus to Portland Bill, where was spectacular views but not much else, but did have an overpriced lunch at the local pub there before going back on the bus.    Once back, we had a nice cup of tea then decided to go to Nothe Fort   Was good to wander around and take in the spooky "dungeons" and the fantastic views from the top level.   Went to the square for a local pub grub, which was OK then had a nice walk around town ending up at the local pub !

Wednesday - today was forecast to be overcast and showers, so decided to go for a country walk     Of course it was hot and sunny, even the wind seemed warmer than normal.   Had a great walk round the coastal path and then cut back cross country and had a nice cup of tea when we got back to the coast.   Just set off back to town along the coast when it did start raining, pretty hard, especially in the wind.. but were well prepared (lot of people weren't)   After having our ice cream watching the rain, got back to apartment and had a nice cup of tea before deciding where to eat in the evening..... deciding to walk another 50 yds to the local pub as we were worn out !  (and it was Curry night)

Thursday - it's a proper Shopping day today.   Went out at 10am and started at the Brewers Quay shopping centre which took us until coffee time (11;30 !)  by which time it was hot and sunny again.    Went round town and got takeout sandwiches for lunch.  Had lunch on the beach as it was sunny, but still chilly in the wind and ended up with sandy sandwiches.   Did more shopping before mid-afternoon snack time when I had a cream tea    Back at the ranch, we were a bit worn out after over 7 hours shopping, but mustered up the energy to walk into town for evening meal.  After changing our minds several times, ended up at the "Moby Dick" on the front which did house special which was Chicken, Ham and Leak pie... yummy.  Also stopped off at the George Inn on the Quayside to try and complete the set of pubs which we had been in.... not many to go now!

Friday -  Designated our Beach/rest day but despite the good weather forecast it was quite gray and a bit windy but we went on the beach anyway.   Found a sheltered spot from the wind stayed until after lunch.   It was hot when the sun came out, but was all to infrequent and was otherwise a bit cool.    Went for a walk through the town and got a nice ice cream before talking a walk back through Nothe Gardens where it was a bit more sheltered from the wind.    Got back to the apartment a bit earlier than normal, so had a nice cup of tea and a rest.   Decided to go back to the Ship Inn for dinner, but in typical fashion we changed our minds (there is a huge choice! ) and ended up in a pub in town for dinner.   Wasn't fantastic food, but was OK (for the price) and had the bonus of the band doing their sound check which we ate (UB40 tribute band)

Saturday - after breakfast we just came home, taking about 2.5 hours as traffic was OK

Overall we had a lovely holiday and enjoyed doing the different activities.   There are a load of things we could have done but didn't get around to, so would be happy to go back there again

Poker : not a bad evenings play (it isn’t really work is it!)

I decided not to do a deep stack tourney today as it takes ages and I feel like I need my sleep this week !

Started off with a nice simple STT warm up game ($20) with 9 players, which got the blood flowing nicely, especially when I cashed in by getting 3rd place

After such a promising start, moved onto MTT with a 128 seater HORSE tourney, but had horrid cards and blew out in 118th place after 45 mins  (actually quite tricky to loose all your chips that quickly in a limit game !)

The main event was meant to be a $22 MTT with 1206 players.   I made a good start, but saw several rubbish hands that I threw away become monsters… saw several straights, couple of flushes and flopped two full houses (had I not thrown away the cards of course) and in the end only lasted a frustrated 55 mins and got to 755th place.   Did feel I was playing quite well, but the cards were not landing for me (or when they did, it was after I threw away my rubbish hand)

Just to blow off some steam, decided to enter the $4 MTT 180 player tournament.  Things started off OK, but then started a roller coaster ride, whereby my stack grew, then I got into a fight with someone and lost a load of chips, then built up the stack again and then lost a load… again I was seeing rubbish cards develop into a monster hand, with another flopped Full House thrown away in the first hour.   Luckily I was patient and by the first break (after 1 hour) was 11th with 6’048 chips out of 64 players (avg=4218)

Things were settling down and was able to focus and take control of the game (well most of the time anyway)   The end of the 2nd hour saw me in 5th with 11’739 chips (out of 30 player and avg=9000) and my low point after that was 7th at the 3 hour break.   By level 15 was 4th from 15 players and in the money, but the players dropped quickly after that and by the next level we had only 8 left and I was still in 4th    There were a few ups and downs for me, but the luck came to me when needed and didn’t hurt me too badly when it went against me, so after 4 hours was in 2nd place out of the remaining 3 players

I was not expecting to win, but got heads up with around 110’000 to 160’000 chips to my opponent   The heads up didn’t last too long, I managed to hit my hand after going all-in behind on the flop which put me in a really strong position, then couple of hands later called my opponents all-in when I had A-J against his 9-8 and the A on the flop was enough to see me to victory (in only 4hours 25 mins) !  

For what I thought would be a quick blast of a game, it turned into a marathon, but did gave me a healthy boost to my poker fund, getting $216 for the $4 investment…. I seem to be going through a purple patch at the moment, just hope it lasts a while longer :-)

Poker : Home Tournament – June 2009

The £10 specials are always interesting games, and this proved to be the same.   I was feeling a bit spaced out by now, after the late night and working all day, so will doubtless remember even less than normal for my write up !

My evening started well, by not being on the same table as Sean ! (who scuppered me in the last £10 special) although do have Bill to contend with.     My table was pretty laid back and solid in the main, especially in the early stages.   The first couple of levels I dropped around 500 chips from the 2000 starting levels, then won a hand or two and was a little up mid-way through the first hour.    I vaguely remember I get into a hand with Bill and take a good chunk of chips to get myself into a good chip lead on the table.   

At the break, I have a healthy chip stack, with the extra 2000 I think I’m around the 10’000 mark….  this stack gets bigger when I get 8-7 on the SB and only Karen on BB and Steve W see the flop.   The flop comes 7-x-x (3 clubs ) and I check then call Steve W smallish bet (even with top pair and flush draw I wasn’t sure I was ahead, but was relatively cheap to call)   The turn sees another 7, so I check call another bet by Steve, but then the river is a spectacular 8 !   so check call the all-in by Steve W, who had flopped a flush !   Talk about a bad beat !!

With players starting to drop like flies on the other table (Steve is knocking them all out!)   we are soon down to 9 players.  I get tangled up with Bill again, who calls my confident bets on each street… can’t remember what I had, but was ahead ! and therefore took the pot, took out Bill and we’re down to the final table

Jon is ecstatic as he made the final table for the first time this year !   Unfortunately he is first to fall, but at least he gets a point

Darren is short stacked and gets it all in on the flop with a flush draw (I think)  but doesn't improve and is next out

With the blinds now up to 1000/500 we see Alex making a big raise and takes down a pot uncontested and shows KK.  Next hand he makes another big raise but this time Derek goes all-in and Alex calls…. then shows KK again !    Derek has Q-J  so is in heaps of trouble, even the J on the flop doesn’t help… but the J on the turn certainly does., and Derek takes Alex down to about 1200 chips.    It is only a hand or two before Alex has to stick it all in but doesn’t get lucky and Steve takes him out

Karen gets taken out next by Derek but can’t remember the details now… and Andy follows soon after with a mad lunge at the pot with not much

This leaves us with three players and the blinds at 2000/1000   I had been OK chip wise but had given some chips away to Steve earlier so think I am down to around 17’500 (avg = 18’500) with Steve the chip leader. 

A few hands in, we see a key hand for me, when dealt 6-6 on BB I just call when Steve completes on the SB (Derek had folded)    The flop comes something like J-6-2 and Steve immediately goes all-in !   His timing is very unfortunate as I am insta-calling all-in for 20’000 chips   Steves A-7 is well beaten already, but I hit another 6 on the turn for quads and am now the huge chip lead !

With very few chips and big blinds, Steve makes a valiant but ultimately futile attempt and is out in 3rd

I have around 40’000 and Derek is around 16’000 and there is very little time left on the clock.     After a hand or two of exchanging blinds, Derek goes all-in pre-flop.     I had J-J but on checking the chip counts, if I double Derek up he will be slight chip lead so decide to fold as the timer signals the last three hands to play.    Next hand I have 9-7s but decide to call Derek's 4000 raise to see the flop.  Nothing comes for me, so fold to his bet.   I also realise that by now I can only just afford the 3000 blinds to be around 1000 chip leader after the next two hands, so need very good hands to justify doing anything other than folding.   Both my last hands end up being rubbish so fold and win by around 2000 chip difference in the end

I was delighted to win, just a bit disappointed not to be able to “finish the job” by knocking Derek out, but that’s the nature of a time constrained game I guess

Overall, it was a very enjoyable game.   Even the people knocked out early seemed to be enjoying themselves, especially those involved in the cash game !

League wise, we are now halfway through the season and I am points leader with 61, but Darren and Alex are not far behind with 42 each and Derek on 49 makes up the top 4

All still to play for… see you next time

Poker : Deep Stack tournaments

I have recently be playing in “Deep Stack” tourneys on my Wednesday night "online poker night"   This is where you get 5000 starting chips and the blinds go up every 30 minutes, so you need to be prepared for the long haul if you do any good !

First attempt was 6th May in a $11 deep stack tourney.  This had 1026 players and I crashed out in 660th place after 90 minutes

Then decided to switch to the $22 deep stack tournament , so on 13th May sat down for a nice game for a couple of hours as there were only 152 players.   As it turned out, I did pretty well, so after 8.5 hours playing ! I finished in 6th place and took a nice $152 prize

Last week I played the $22 tournament but things went against me and finished 59th of 135 so a very poor showing

This week I did have had some more success !!  Seems my temperament is more suitable for the patient, long, drawn out game

From my 5000 chip starting point, I got some good hands early on and had built up my stack, which was just as well, as I ended up all in on the turn having flopped two pair and some clown with his flush draw hit his 1 in 6 chance to put me down to around 1200 chips !   As the blinds were so low, I managed to keep calm and play on, and was lucky to very soon double up with a good hand, then tripled up when I got lucky having gone all in pre-flop with a speculative hand and got 4 callers !

From then on, I just tried to maintain above average chips, but was going up and down a bit.... but over time was pretty well in control.  

One hand in the middle stages that stuck out was when I got A-Ks on the Big Blind.  There was a raise then a re-raise all-in and as the original raiser had a load of chips, decided he was likely to call even if I went all-in (which I seriously thought about) so decided to fold.   The original raised had T-T and the original all-in had A-6 so was happy with my choice when the blank flop came down, but when the A then K came, I was not so pleased.   I know made the right choice, but when the outcome would have been in my favour (like tripling up!), it still hurts...

As we got into the last 40 players, I had some good hands and felt I was playing well... and managed to get myself up into the top 6, where I pretty much stayed (with my normal loose aggression when I get a lot of chips!) until the end

After 5.5 hours play !  I am in first place with 102'131 chips out of 19 players (Avg = 37'631)

At the next break after 6.5 hours, I am still in 1st with 140'488 and 11 players left (avg=65'000)

Next break after 7.5 hours, I am still in 1st place, with 176'133 with 9 players left.   Avg=79'444   I want to now build up to and maintain stack of 178'750 which is the average stack for my target of a 4th place finish

8h 25mins into the game,  I drop to 2nd place – having dropped down to 134'533 chips (8 players left ) but suddenly it all goes nutty and chips leader takes out another player as well !   Chip avg=102'142  Couple of hands later and another player get really lucky and takes out someone else... I am now 3rd place from 6 so am getting excited…..

Next break (8 hr 45 mins)  I am 3rd now out of 6 players with 119'133 (Avg = 119'166 !! )  Starting to buzz now, but from drinking too much water I think !!

After 9 hours,  I am 5th of 5 players with 99'559 (avg = 143'000)  All to play for and blinds only at 4000/2000   News flash... just as I am writing this, I win a decent hand and now jumped to 3rd place with 140'509

Hit the 9.5 hour mark and a key hand.  I am in BB with A-Q (5000/2500 blinds) and button goes all-in   He normally flat calls good hands, so decided to call (I would also have about 40'000 chips behind)   Turns out he has 8-4s and neither of us improve, so I take him out and we are now down to 4 players and I am chip lead again at 267'128 (avg = 178'750)

Has it really been 9hr 50mins !   I am now 2nd of 4 players left , so have hit my target finishing place.   I have 236'996 (Avg=178'750) and the blinds are now 6000/3000    I am up and down a bit, was 1st for a while, then 4th, worked up to 3rd, then hit some cards and got aggressive and got to current 2nd place     Lynn is probably snoring her head off by now, but my adrenalin must be flowing... still drinking a load of water (it is very hot and muggy tonight) so also having to go to the loo every half hour as well !

After a 10h 25m slog we are now head up !!   I have 293'000 v’s my opponents 422'000  (357'500 avg)

Lost big pot with  my Q-4 against K-6 on a A-K-Q flop !    but a couple of hands later I have doubled up,  then managed to get back to about 307'000   Then my A-A holds up and win a bit more to take us almost dead even in chips

Then we have the key hand... I have J-5 in BB call a raise of 14'000....  flop comes J-T-3 so check and re-raise all-in when he bets.  He calls and shows A-T so I am way ahead.    The turn is a safe 6, making me about 90% certain to win the hand……. but the A on the river takes me out in 2nd place !!

After 850 hands and 10 hour 45mins playing time, I won $457.60 for 2nd place (first was $657.80)  

It is amazing how your expectations change during the tournament, most of the way through I would have taken a cash finish were it offered, but then being chips lead a lot of the time you hope to make the final table (9 players) then on the final table, still at the top of the chip count, you then hope to take 4th… having got to 4th I was gunning to win it…. and on the last hand thought I pretty much had won it !  It is a bit gut wrenching to get so close to the win, but ultimately happy to take 2nd place.  I am happy with my play and the luck evened out so can’t complain too much :-)

These deep stack tournaments may suit my temperament, but they certainly take time !     Mind you, the hourly rate of $40 isn’t too bad I suppose.