New Year's Resolution and Other Stuff

OK, I am going to Donegal to the fiancee's summer home later today (we were supposed to go yesterday but we got back from Belfast too late) and I thought I would post my resolution before New Years rather then after (as I said, no internet access there).

The past few days I have not played any poker but I have been thinking a lot about my situation. I want to be back to $1000 and beyond as soon as possible. That being said I want to go about it a smart way. ie patience. I know I am a good poker player, I just have to make sure that I dont handicap myself before a card is dealt. I need to play at limits I can afford and games where I think I can win.

So, to go along with this, my New Years resolution is a simple one. I will NEVER ever again have more then 10% of my bankroll on the screen at once. That means that not only will I not have more then 10% on one table, but I will not have more then 10% of my roll on many different tables at the same time.

I think that I can hold to this, and it will keep me from doing anything stupid. ie Boxing Day. I need to have a sizable roll to do what I want to do. (Qualify for 2007 WSOP, qualify for EPT event next season) and I cant do that with my current roll.

I just played a $13 six handed turbo and after all the six handed cash games I was playing, it went quite nicely. Never in danger, and they were fish. Took it down without risking my chips. Not bad, $33 profit. I am only playing that game today so my confidence is high in Donegal and for when I return to Glasgow. I plan on playing quite a bit online as well as some live at the Cincinnati Club so I want things going smoothly.

My roll is now 404.97. Workable and manageable. My immediate goal is to be at $1000 by Jan 31st. I will be playing mostly SnG's I think, but I may throw in some cash games as well. (obviously all will be in my 10% range)

Heres to hoping.

When It Rains It Pours

Well being that time of year when we could all use a boost to the wallet, I found myself up a little on stars this morning. I took advantage of my good form lately and withdrew everything but $600. I know that may seem like a lot, but my credit card needed paying and with Christmas presents on the go, it seemed like a good idea.

So I now had $600 dollars (notice the word 'had') and I immediately hated seeing my balance being displayed with only three digits. Yuck. I figured that a few solid hands and I could be right back to $1000 and a nice cashout still in the mail. I went on to a 50/1 table. I got KQs in the BB my first hand. Not one of the first hands, THE first hand, it was raised to $4 by a big stack and I called. Flop comes KKJ. Nice. I bet $8, he raises to $20. Hmmmmmm. Am I behind here? I flat call the $20. Turn is a Q. THE NUTS. I check. He goes all in. I call. River is a J. He flips quads. God damnit, the guy hit a one outer. The table starts berating this guy on his luck. I think I now know why he had a big stack. Disgusting hand, total cooler. I log off the table not wanting to see his stack with my money and I go to another table. After about six hands or so, I get AA on the button. I raise to $5 with two limpers. The small blind calls, the BB reraises me to $15. The limpers fold and it is back to me. I re-reaise to $40. The small blind folds, the big blind then goes ALL IN!!! I call immediately. Because it is a cash game, the cards are not flipped over. The flop comes Q67 turn is another Q river is a T. He flips over AQ. I couldnt believe it. I wanted to kill him. Honestly? What the hell could I do? I went from total confidence with hopes of erasing my cash out, to my present balance of $371.97. (I lost another $29 when I went to a table after the AA hand and logged off after a few hands before any more damage was done)

I am sick right now. I am glad my cashout is on its way but I feel totally defeated right now. I am going to the fiancee's parents' summer home tomorrow for five days. There is no internet access there so I am taking a break from internet poker. I am glad in a way as it gives me time to regroup without the temptation to log back on. I am not sure what tables I am going to play, not sure if I can play the 10/25 tables or the 25/50. I may play some turbos again. I dunno. Really mixed feelings right now.

Until I post again in five days...may your cards be lucky.

Goal Number One - Done and Dusted

What started in September came to be yesterday as I logged off pokerstars on Christmas day and saw my balance as $1200. I know I had been there for a little while now, but I still am quite happy with my progress to date.

Hope everyone had a good Christmas

PS I am thinking that I want a new goal but a shorter time period, we'll see

Ireland, Major Problem, Major Thank You, and Update

In Ireland right now having a good time with the future in-laws. Good food and engagement presents will do that. However the trip did not start off as well as I had hoped...not even close.

I left Glasgow yesterday morning with the fiancee, flying over at stupid o'clock (6:30am or something ridiculous). Upon arrival I went back to bed and after a good nap woke up and tried logging on to pokerstars. I then encountered my worst nightmare. I had forgot to log off pokerstars in Glasgow so therefore I could not log in here in Ireland. I had trouble breathing, the walls were closing in, and I was making weird noises. Ok not really, but I was not happy. I thought that for the next two weeks or so, pokerstars was not an option. I immediately emailed pokerstars and explained my problem of epic proportions. I did not expect much but it was worth a try. A little while later (within a half hour) I get an email saying they had manually disconnected me and I could now log on. Just let me say Thank You to pokerstars, seriously folks, you run a tight ship and it is a pleasure playing there. Even without rakeback that some sites offer, it is times like that pokerstars seperates itself from others.

So, I have played a little since I got here. Nothing major but a pretty big swing. I ended up getting stacked in a 100NL game last night. That was fun. I call with QTs in the SB and the flop comes QT2. I raise, he re-raises a good amount, I re-re-raise, he goes all in, I call. What did he have? Well he had AQ of course with the turn and river coming JJ. Which brings me to my next question. If a suckout falls on the screen and I do not curse because my fiancee's ten year old brother is in the room, does it make a sound? I ended up playing today and getting back lost money so all is well in pokerstars land.

Hopefully tomorrow will see me gain ground on $1300 and beyond.

Pokerstars Balance - $1227.65

Why People Make Money Playing Online Poker

PokerStars Game #7553226991:
Hold'em No Limit ($0.50/$1.00) - 2006/12/22 - 08:00:54 (ET)
Table 'Isora' 6-max
Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: psudoagrsr1 ($47.05 in chips)
Seat 2: DWAYNEC21 ($36.80 in chips)
Seat 3: Knightsridge ($97.90 in chips)
Seat 4: Igot2bullets ($70 in chips)
Seat 5: Marco2011 ($22.25 in chips)
Seat 6: uravictim ($27.35 in chips)
uravictim: posts small blind $0.50
psudoagrsr1: posts big blind $1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Knightsridge [Ac 9s]
DWAYNEC21: calls $1
Knightsridge: raises $3 to $4
Igot2bullets: folds
Marco2011: folds
uravictim: folds
psudoagrsr1: calls $3
DWAYNEC21: calls $3
*** FLOP *** [Qh Ah As]
psudoagrsr1: checks
DWAYNEC21: bets $3
Knightsridge: raises $5 to $8
psudoagrsr1: calls $8
DWAYNEC21: calls $5
*** TURN *** [Qh Ah As] [6d]
psudoagrsr1: checks
DWAYNEC21: checks
Knightsridge: bets $44
psudoagrsr1: calls $35.05 and is all-in
DWAYNEC21: folds
*** RIVER *** [Qh Ah As 6d] [Tc]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
psudoagrsr1: shows [7h 6h] (two pair, Aces and Sixes)
Knightsridge: shows [Ac 9s] (three of a kind, Aces)
Knightsridge collected $103.60 from pot

This player called off their stack on the turn with a flush draw getting 2-1 on their money when there is a pair on board and they may be drawing dead.

I know that two callers on the flop to my raise would mean another ace is out there, but after playing these tables for the past while, those calls mean nothing. Scary.

Christmas Poker

Well I am at work for the last time today before the Christmas break. My school is closed for the next two weeks and I am looking forward to it. I am off to Ireland for Christmas tomorrow morning and I will be there until Wednesday the 3rd of January. I then come back to Glasgow for four days before work starts up again.

I am hoping that I will be able to fit in a fair bit of poker over the holidays, so we'll see. I had contemplated playing live tonight at the Cincinnati Club but with me leaving so early it would be tough. So I am gonna play online tonight, hoping to tip the scales twoards 1200 and beyond.

Heres to hoping

Implied Odds In Motion - A Thing of Beauty

I am not sure if everyone is familiar with the term implied odds so I am going to put it in terms I understand them to be. Implied odds are the odds I am getting during a hand, but not from the pot, rather what WILL be in the pot. Case in point the following hand:

PokerStars Game #7543720111: Hold'em No Limit ($0.50/$1.00) - 2006/12/21 - 16:56:33 (ET)Table 'Ani II' 6-max
Seat #4 is the button
Seat 4: Knightsridge ($91 in chips)
Seat 5: mfernandez01 ($26 in chips)
Seat 6: 1puttkid ($53.50 in chips)
mfernandez01: posts small blind $0.50
1puttkid: posts big blind $1
*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to Knightsridge [5d 8d]
Knightsridge: calls $1
mfernandez01: calls $0.50
1puttkid: raises $4 to $5
Knightsridge: calls $4
mfernandez01: folds
*** FLOP *** [3c Kh 5h]
1puttkid: bets $5
Knightsridge: calls $5
*** TURN *** [3c Kh 5h] [8s]
1puttkid: bets $10
Knightsridge: raises $20 to $30
1puttkid: raises $13.50 to $43.50 and is all-in
Knightsridge: calls $13.50
*** RIVER *** [3c Kh 5h 8s] [Jd]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
1puttkid: shows [Ac Kc] (a pair of Kings)
Knightsridge: shows [5d 8d] (two pair, Eights and Fives)
Knightsridge collected $107 from pot

I love small suited connectors in cash games as the blinds never increase. I would much rather be putting my money in with 85 then AA after the flop because I know if I am putting my money in with 85 I have a great hand. AA on the other hand usually is unimproved and is tough to play on a board with straight and flush draws. (Not to say I would rather be dealt 85s then AA, just that if AA goes in I am usually only on AA, whereas with 85s 67s T8s, I will have a straight, two pair, or a straight flush draw...and if the money goes in with those hands, I am usually up against AA KK or AK) This hand for instance.

Prelfop I have 85s. I call the BB hoping for a good flop. The BB raises to $5 and I know I am up against AA KK QQ or AK. I had been playing with him for a little while and he was basic ABC poker. I love that. I call for implied value. If the flop misses me completely I spent $5 to win his stack of $53. If I do that ten times and win his stack once it is +EV. So I call and hit my 5, while he has probably hit his K. Now I realise that I put him on a possible KK, but the fact he came out betting both on the flop and turn I knew he didnt. (He had slow played once before after hitting a straight). So I now face a bet of $5. I know that if I hit an 8 or 5 I win everything he has as after I hit his AA or AK will not suspect 85. I hit my 8 and I stack him.

Now I know that his stack is a little smaller then I would have liked it to be. A perfect amount would be $70-$75, as paying $10 to win $50 is not as good as paying $10 to win $70, but with my stack of $91 I don't mind.

God I love poker.

Pokerstars Balance - 1,125.67

Collusion - Pokerstars Response

How is this for customer service?

My email regarding the collusion was sent around 7:50am GMT

I received the following at 11:45am GMT

Thank you for your report. The integrity of our games is of utmost importance to us, and when confronted with such suspicions, we have one of our poker specialists undertake extensive research into the players' relationships and past play. I have forwarded your message to a poker specialist for review. Please allow us some time to research this matter; it may take several days if the matter is particularly complex. We will be back to you as soon as possible with the results of our examination.
Regards,
Joanne
PokerStars Support Team

One half hour later I received this:

Thank you for taking the time to report this incident.It appears these players may be involved in an attempted fraud. Both accounts have been suspended until such time that we are satisfied that nothing untoward has taken place.Your vigilance in reporting this is greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Bob
PokerStars Security

Well done Pokerstars.
Yet another reason why I play there.

Collusion

Something interesting happened this morning when I hopped on pokerstars for some hands before I headed for work. I was looking at the .50/1 tables trying to find some low stacks and low pots. When all of a sudden I see a table where the average pot was $200 with only two players playing. WTF? So I click on the table and watch the action while brining up the table's hand history. There has been one hand played. OK. I look at the hand in question. The hand went like this. Both post blinds, player one raises $43, player two reraises $54, call. Flop comes 55T. Player one bets $3 all-in player 2 calls. Player one ends up showing 73offsuit, while player two shows 5h6h for three of a kind. I am extremely puzzled. I watch as player one reloads for another 100 and proceeds to raise preflop $70. Player two calls. The flop comes rags and Player 2 goes all-in. Player one folds. I type in 'WTF' as an observer just as two new players arrive at the table. A new player who has put up $100 then says 'cheating?'. I say 'Maybe, not 100% sure'. The player who has won both pots then says 'F U'. The new player then says 'I am reporting this to stars'. Player two then says 'Report what?'. New player responds 'Chip dumping, I am reporting it'. Immeditaely both players leave the table at the same time. I stick around to make sure the reporting gets done as I dont want to have that happen again. I ask the player if he intends to report it. He says, 'not right now while Im playing but after'. I am afraid he will forget and I tell him I will do it. I emailed support@pokerstars.com explained the situation and I am hoping I hear back from them after school.

I will update the blog when I hear more.

Up and Down

Well last night started out with me looking to add to my increasing bankroll and continue towards my goal and beyond. Instead I suffered numerous bad beats and was just getting unlucky. This hand was by far my favorite. I have QQ on the button. There are two limpers so I raise making it four dollars to play. Only the BB calls. The flop comes J87 with two hearts. He checks and I bet eight dollars. He calls. The turn is an offsuit 5. I bet eighteen dollars. He calls. The river is a 4. He checks again. I am a bit bewildered and fearing a check raise check behind. He flips over J6 for the straight. I type in 'huh?' and he responds, "I been practicing that one all night, you like that?". I say "lol, nh I guess" and that was it. I realise that is just one hand and nine times out of ten I win a nice pot, but hands like these were happening as well. I raise with JJ and the shortstack calls for 75%of his stack. The flop brings an ace, he checks, I put him all in and he calls with A9. I have AQ and raise and another shortie calls for 75%of his stack. Flop comes 369 and he goes all in. I call for value with two overs and he wins the pot with Q9. Silly really, and I wasnt too mad to be honest but just annoyed.

I ended up taking a break and watching tv with the fiancee. I hopped back on and won most of it back and finished at $960. Respectable and totally workable back to my $1000.

Heres to hoping

Baby I'm A Big Star Now

By the way, I became a silver star recently. Nothing big, but it does give me 1.5 x FPP's until the end of January, and I also get to play in freeroll tourneys every week. I am going to try and keep the silver star status next month as well. Playing cash the points come in much quicker.

PS The title is a Counting Crows song for those who aren't fans

I'm Back

Well the past nine or ten days have been great in terms of profit on pokerstars. However, this blog has suffered and after having made every effort to write on it before starting cash games, I have neglected it since. No more. I am back to my blogging self and with my new computer losing some of its 'newness' I no longer have any excuses.

Well, I am still playing cash games and as of last night and a small session this morning I am at $991.65. Yes, I am nine dollars away from my goal. A goal I set some three months ago looks like it may come to be. Fantastic.

However, I am a little disappointed in that I didnt do it playing SnG's. Merely because it was what I set out to do. That being said, I think I was being naive in my goal as I believe it is impossible to start with $25 and make your way to $1000 and still improve you game by staying at the same level. By starting out at the $5 SnG level, I gave myself every chance to do well. I was playing the lowest single table limit and it was a level I knew I could do well at. However, at what point does my skill level stutter without moving up a level. The players at that level are ok. There are some solid players but most are fish. I dont want to play only fish. I want to get better as a player and I think I had to do what I did, ie jump up levels, to do that. I am now playing cash and I know that my game is improving everyday. I learned very quickly that aggression is the key to poker. When in doubt raise. Obviously I knew that already, but it becomes very clear when you have 100 BB's and all in with AK is not an option. I am glad I switched to cash but in no way have I played my last SnG. It is merely a small part of my becoming a better poker player.

I would also like to comment on some comments made by Yorkshire Pudding. He has posted since the beginning of my blog and it is obvious he knows poker. He commented in a recent post about me playing cash games over my head. You are absolutely right, no doubt about it. I was playing these games and I shouldnt have been. I started playing the lower limit tables, but to be honest I did not like the way people felt pot committed and did not fold when they should have. ie I knew what they had and I knew they should fold to my bet but they would give a crying call and win. I wanted poker where people had plenty of bets behind and could fold after reraising another player. That is why I started playing above my head. That being said however, I try to limit the games I play with players who could potentially stack me. I tend to play with players who have well below the max buy in. For example I will look for a six handed table with low pots and players with low rolls. I will sit down for ten to fifteen minutes and take the table by storm by raising and reraising. When I have built up some profit, I move to a nine handed table and wait patiently. It is a system that has many flaws I agree, but has served me thus far. I will take your advice though Yorkshire and not play 1/2 any more. I will play .50/1 as my highest stakes for the forseeable future. I know that is still too high, but I feel comfortable there and if I was to ever lose a few buyins I will step down.

I am enjoying playing cash and I am definitely enjoying winning money. I am going to have to come up with a new goal for after Christmas, but for now I am focused on getting to $1000 by Christmas and continuing to play well.

Heres to hoping.

Sorry for the lack of updates but....

Have been busy with my new computer which is abolutely sick. Plus my ipod has been amazing and I downloaded a poker game off itunes. I still cannot get over the graphics.

Anyways, I am playing cash games still on stars. I was playing the lower limits and I decided to take a shot at some bigger tables. I played some 1/2 NL tables. I am holding my own and showing a pretty good profit each time I have played them. Though they are a little over my head I find I focus much more. Plus the players respect raises much more then the lower limits.

Plus tonight I played the most profitable hand ever. Here it is.
PS The villain in the hand had just gotten very lucky on me and took me for an 80$ pot.

PokerStars Game #7458127997: Hold'em No Limit ($1/$2) - 2006/12/15 - 19:40:32 (ET)
Table 'Laertes V' 6-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: DevilFromNJ ($90 in chips)
Seat 2: Knightsridge ($143.10 in chips)
Seat 3: scottmack89 ($93.50 in chips)
Seat 4: bashturd ($148.30 in chips)
Seat 5: jpokerstud1 ($92.75 in chips)
Golfnfool will be allowed to play after the button
DevilFromNJ: posts small blind $1
Knightsridge: posts big blind $2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Knightsridge [6s Ks]
scottmack89: calls $2
bashturd: raises $4 to $6
jpokerstud1: folds
DevilFromNJ: folds
Knightsridge: calls $4
scottmack89: calls $4
*** FLOP *** [Ts Qs Tc]
Knightsridge: checks
scottmack89: checks
bashturd: bets $10
Knightsridge: calls $10
scottmack89: folds
*** TURN *** [Ts Qs Tc] [Jh]
Knightsridge: checks
bashturd: bets $10
Knightsridge: raises $20 to $30
bashturd: calls $20
*** RIVER *** [Ts Qs Tc Jh] [As]
Knightsridge: bets $44
bashturd: raises $58.30 to $102.30 and is all-in
Knightsridge: calls $53.10 and is all-in
*** SHOW DOWN ***
bashturd: shows [Qc Kc] (a straight, Ten to Ace)
Knightsridge: shows [6s Ks] (a flush, Ace high)
Knightsridge collected $291.20 from pot

I know that he could have had the boat but each time he hit the flop before this hand he checked and was very straight forward poker. I did not feel he was slow playing a monster. I raised the turn so if a danger card came out that did not help me I could represent the ten in the river. As it happened the A of spades came and was the best possible card for me.

Pokerstars Balance - $701.61

New Computer and Pokerstars Balance Status

My computer should be arriving today and I am extremely excited to get it. Was hoping for it yesterday but after phoning UPS three times to confirm it was coming before seven o'clock last night they said the roads were too bad and that today would have to be the day. I really hope I am home from work in time as after three deliveries I have to pick it up or pay a charge or something, not sure what. Just hope I am home in time.

Pokerstars has been great lately. Really enjoying playing again and it has definitely raised my appetite for poker again. So many possibilities when playing without fear of getting 'eliminated'. I must say that when looking at what table to join I like playing heads-up or three handed as my aggression bascially runs the table over. I just love it as well when people sit down at a table with half the buy-in allowed. For example, people sitting down at 25/50 blinds with twenty or twenty five dollars. I sit down with fifty (the max) and stack them most times or take a good chunk out of them. It is fantastic. Im not sure of the logic behind this, but they do it. It has actually become so good that I leave tables and find new ones starting up, play a few hands, then when it fills up, I leave again. Not sure if that is 'proper poker etiquette' but to be honest, I see people doing it and no one complains so I figure it is alright. I am going to try and focus on this more by jumping on tables for short stints as I find that six handed my profit goes down. I was doing well but ended up losing some, then getting it back, losing it again, winning it back etc. I am currently sitting on $520 or so, and I am hoping to keep playing the 10/25 cent tables as I get accustomed to cash. I need to stay focused right at the beginning of a session especially as I find the first few hands I play reckless and then spend another twenty minutes winning it back. If I can avoid the downswing, my balance should soar.

I have thirteen days left before Christmas. Not sure $1000 by then will happen, but I am going to try. Fifty dollars a day is more than manageable, just have to avoid the days when I lose fifty.

Heres to hoping

FPP Rewards on Stars

I didnt realise until yesterday how close I am to reaching the silver level status of the FPP Rewards on Pokerstars.

Every player on stars automatically becomes a bronze player on signing up. If a player accrues 1500 points in a month then they are elevated to silver. Gold is 3500, platinum is 10,000 and I believe supernova is 100,000 in a year. The benefits of becoming a silver star member are not that spectacular. You get bonuses on your FPP account by getting them quicker, and there are a few monthly freerolls which Silver stars can enter through satellites. I recently played a 1000 sat for the EPT and I plan on playing more in the future, but I also wanted something to show for my time on stars. Therefore due to the amount of traveling I do (Ireland for fiancee, Canada to go home, and New York where I work in the summer) I purchased a Pokerstars Travel Bag. It was 1000 points and I thought what the hell. Better then nothing. I think I may also buy something again next time I have enough points rather then play sats. I will then wait for the FPPs to get bigger due to my silver level status when they give me 1.5 x the normal amount.

Reflection, Renewal, Insert Catchy Re Word

Friday night I played a bunch of SnG's and I began the night at $550. By the end, it became the single worst night I ever had playing poker. Forgetting about money, it was outdraw after outdraw and coinflips lost at every turn. When the dust had settled I was sitting at $379 and I felt defeated in everyway. By the end of the session I was looking at all the different buyins for SnG's and I honestly could not see myself winning one. I was that low.

I went to bed and pretty much had a restless night. I want to be good at the game but recently the game had not been good to me. I was making the correct plays but was still losing. I know that happens, but it was difficult to take. More so as they had been happening all at once. I took stock of my play and realised that the game selection I have been choosing is restricting my creativity. In SnG's, 88 or 99 is either an all in or a fold after a certain point. I want to call with those hands and see what happens. I feel like a robot playing them as each time I finish one I start another. I want to play poker again. Not only SnG's.

Which is where my next point comes in. I have decided to give cash a go. Now I know that I dont play cash. Infact I never have. I have one book on cash game play and I havent read it yet. That's why I want to play cash. I have no one but myself to rely on. I am in unchartered territory and I like it. I began playing cash yesterday morning and I love it. I am playing the six handed 10/25 cent NL tables. I really like them. I am a pain in the ass to play against judging by the comments in the chat box, but that must be a good thing. No one would complain if I sucked. I am mixing it up big time and playing a ton of hands. I am enjoying the game more then I have in awhile. And to be honest that's the whole point right?

I am currently up to $525 which is obviously a big improvement. However an aspect of cash I like is that there is instant results. In an SnG, if I win a big hand nine handed, I double up, but it means nothing if I finish 4th. I win a big hand in cash, or double up, I am actually in posession of that money. Definitely an incentive to play well.

This may last another few days or it may last longer. Who knows. But I am enjoying it. That's the whole point right?

Heres to hoping.

Shortstack Master Baby!!!!

I can play this game. And it feels great.

I flopped a flush and straight flush draw on the flop. Bet it all the way as I thought the other guy was drawing and had the A of diamonds. He had the TJ of diamonds and I was down to 40 chips and in the SB.

PokerStars Game #7354764777: Tournament #37613972, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2006/12/08 - 15:47:55 (ET)
Table '37613972 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: rdh009 (1460 in chips)
Seat 2: beck23x (3040 in chips)
Seat 3: Tortfeasor36 (1440 in chips)
Seat 4: Knightsridge (40 in chips)
Seat 5: cjb04 (1500 in chips)
Seat 6: IKnewwwIt (1500 in chips)
Seat 7: gobucks3 (1500 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 8: sano1981 (1620 in chips)
Seat 9: YaraYara (1400 in chips)
Knightsridge: posts small blind 10
cjb04: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Knightsridge [Jd 8d]
beck23x said, "ty"
IKnewwwIt: folds
gobucks3: folds
gobucks3 has returned
sano1981: calls 20
YaraYara: folds
rdh009 has timed out
rdh009: folds
rdh009 is sitting out
beck23x: raises 60 to 80
Tortfeasor36: folds
Knightsridge: calls 30 and is all-in
cjb04: calls 60
sano1981: folds
*** FLOP *** [Tc 4s 8s]
cjb04: checks
beck23x: checks
*** TURN *** [Tc 4s 8s] [Jc]
cjb04: checks
beck23x: checks
*** RIVER *** [Tc 4s 8s Jc] [7c]
cjb04: checks
beck23x: bets 140
cjb04: folds
*** SHOW DOWN ***
beck23x: shows [Js Ah] (a pair of Jacks)
beck23x collected 80 from side pot
Knightsridge: shows [Jd 8d] (two pair, Jacks and Eights)
Knightsridge collected 140 from main pot

PokerStars Game #7354798964: Tournament #37613972, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2006/12/08 - 15:50:39 (ET)
Table '37613972 1' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: rdh009 (1460 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 2: beck23x (3040 in chips)
Seat 3: Tortfeasor36 (1120 in chips)
Seat 4: Knightsridge (310 in chips)
Seat 5: cjb04 (1270 in chips)
Seat 6: IKnewwwIt (1470 in chips)
Seat 7: gobucks3 (1480 in chips)
Seat 8: sano1981 (1950 in chips)
Seat 9: YaraYara (1400 in chips)
gobucks3: posts small blind 10
sano1981: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Knightsridge [7h Qh]
YaraYara: folds
rdh009: folds
beck23x: folds
Tortfeasor36: calls 20
Knightsridge said, "ill probably win now"
Knightsridge: folds
cjb04: folds
IKnewwwIt: folds
Knightsridge said, "lol"
gobucks3: calls 10
sano1981: checks
*** FLOP *** [Jd 9s 4d]
gobucks3: bets 80
sano1981: folds
Tortfeasor36: folds
gobucks3 collected 60 from pot
gobucks3: doesn't show hand

PokerStars Game #7355259517: Tournament #37613972, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level IX (300/600) - 2006/12/08 - 16:27:15 (ET)
Table '37613972 1' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 2: beck23x (2227 in chips)
Seat 4: Knightsridge (11273 in chips)
beck23x: posts the ante 50
Knightsridge: posts the ante 50
Knightsridge: posts small blind 300
beck23x: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Knightsridge [Jh 3h]
Knightsridge: calls 300
beck23x: checks
*** FLOP *** [8s Jd 5s]
beck23x: bets 1577 and is all-in
Knightsridge: calls 1577
*** TURN *** [8s Jd 5s] [7d]
beck23x said, "gg"
*** RIVER *** [8s Jd 5s 7d] [3d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
beck23x: shows [5c 7c] (two pair, Sevens and Fives)
Knightsridge: shows [Jh 3h] (two pair, Jacks and Threes)
Knightsridge said, "gg"
Knightsridge collected 4454 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 4454 | Rake 0
Board [8s Jd 5s 7d 3d]
Seat 2: beck23x (big blind) showed [5c 7c] and lost with two pair, Sevens and Fives
Seat 4: Knightsridge (button) (small blind) showed [Jh 3h] and won (4454) with two pair, Jacks and Threes

If I lost that game it would have hurt as I was losing a few in a row. Now I feel like I could play the big game at the Belaggio. Aint it a great game?

What the Coyote Said

Whenever you have a picture of Wile E Coyote on your poker blog, it is never a good thing.

Last night I played some $6 turbos to get warmed up, played ok, got a first and a third, meaning a little profit. Fired up some $15 turbos, got fried with two out of the money finishes. Not fun. Tried some more $6 turbos again, did ok again, nothing spectaular. Tried a $25 SnG, got second place, so not bad, then tried another $25 and lost. So I played three more $6 turbos, hoping if I win one, it is a little more profit then if I had played four and won one. I didnt win one. Ho hum, loss of $25 for the night, down to $550.54.

My idea of playing $6 turbos to get warmed up is a tough one as the games really are vastly different from the $25's. I am going to have to go back to the drawing board in terms of strategy.

Some very exciting news last night however, was that the Cincinnati Club announcing that Friday nights were returning to £25. Yessss. Big up to Fergus8 the card room manager who tried £75 night, but after they were not as successful as he would have liked has returned. I had no problem with the £75 nights, as even though I didnt play them, I hoped they would succeed for the good of the club. They werent as popular as expected and Fergus8 has done the right thing for them to return to £25. I am hoping to go in tonight but I have had a cold the last few nights and I cant shake it. I'll see how I feel. My live game is running well right now (bar the AK hand at the Wabash) and I am confident. My online game also improved after a strong showing live, so maybe it would do the trick. Either way, the fiancee is going out tonight, so poker will be played, or my name isn't Knightsridge. Which it is.

Lee Jones, Why Do You Hate Me?

Ok, first off, I would like to say that a reader of my blog contacted me yesterday saying he liked my blog. It is great to know that a total of two people are now reading my poker ramblings. Thanks Neil.

See that picture? Ok, it is a picture of a twenty dollar bill flying away. Well take that picture and multiply its meaning by five and you will be able to see what a great day I had yesterday. Yes, I lost $100. Not cool at all, sucks the big one. Yet I left the tables last night feeling confident. What happened you ask? Well. Where do I begin.

I played two $25 SnG's. Nothing unusual so far. But for some reason I never got cards and when crunch time arrived I could not find a spot to throw my chips in. It was always raised before it got to me...very frustrating. When I finally got a chance with A5, yes I was desperate, the rock next to me woke up with AKs. The other one I lost a race. I was down but not out. I proceeded to convince myself that four tables of $15 was just what I needed. Yes, perfect thiking right? I then donked out of every one. Yes, every one. I could not believe it. I calmed myself and played one $15. I got second. Ok, not bad. I then played two more $25 as my confidence creeped back. Then something happened. I saw the game in a new light. I realised that push botting is the key to these higher level SnG's but at an earlier stage then I had been thinking. I was waiting too long for hands and too often giving players odds to call me in the later stages. I recognised this and played great poker in the last two. Now I only got a third place for a little money in one, and fourth place for nothing in the other, but I was confident. I saw the mistake I clearly made to come fourth and for the third place finish I had 55 beaten by A4 (not too bad if he hits an ace but the board double paired Q's and J's, I hate when that happens) Anyways, I went to bed strangely peaceful knowing I could compete at that level on a reglar basis.

That being said, I think I have been going about it wrong. I have been jumping right into a tough game immediately upon sitting down. I should start smaller and see how I am playing first. See if I am running hot or not, and plus, avoid the massive swings that $25 SnG's can bring. Because when your bankroll is only 25 buyin's, variance is an ugly thing. Therefore, lying in bed last night, when normal people are asleep but poker players with high aspirations are thinking about, what else, poker, I came up with a system I believe will work.

From now on, I am going to play four $6 turbos to begin with. That is $26 dollars on the table, and if I can take first in just one, I make a small, small, small, profit. This gets me thinking about the game and focused on the task at hand without risking too much. If I do not get any results, I can play another round of $6 turbos, or decide it is not my day and cut my losses for another time. If I do well, I will jump into some $15 turbos (two of them meaning $32 on the table) and hope to make some profit. If I am still feeling good, I will try a $25 SnG, and see how it pans out. I know this system is not magical or anything, but it starts me off small and gets my mind into the game gradually instead of hopping right in to a game which can damage my roll with a few bad sessions in a row.

Heres to hoping
Pokerstars balance - $575.01

Almost

Played two $25 SnG's and was bombarded. No luck at all. Not cool at all.

I had 42 in the BB and UTG flat called at 75-150 as did two others. I figure the UTG is either mediocre AJ KJ etc or massive KK AA and the others are not that strong as they didnt reraise. I check. The flop comes 429. I know I am ahead of everyone as I didnt think 99 would flat call with so many limpers. I check. UTG bets out 300 one limper calls. I go all in. The UTG calls immediately and I figure AA, the limper folds. He flips over A9. Wow, what I put him on preflop but to call straight away. The turn is a Q, river.....another 9. I am out.

The other I pushed with A4s five handed hoping to steal and the SB called with 77, no help. Not a bad beat, just unlucky, as I was card dead and it was the first time I had a suited ace in forever.

I was unhappy and uncomfortable so I told myself to buckle down and play focused poker. I also thought that playing two games would be good so I didnt try 'too hard' and start pressing where I shouldn't. I signed up for two $15 SnG's and we were off. I played really well in both.

In one I slow played KK preflop (hoping for no ace on the flop) and it came Q high. I got in a raising war with another short stack who I was 95% sure had AQ. The money went in, he had AQ, I win a monster and am massive chipleader five handed. I press smartly, min raising small stacks, putting average stacks all in, and I get first place. Unfortunatly as I am playing heads up I am three handed in the other and I end up folding a few hands instead of taking blinds to ensure a first place finish in the other. In the end I get third when I push ATs into AJs. No help but still, profit.

My confidence is back and I play another $25. Three handed I am chipleader and I push T4s from the button. The SB calls and so does the BB! they flip over 44 and 77. Any ten and I win. No help, and I am down to 13400 - 100 heads up. I get back to 1000 but I lose with A9 to TJs. I am happy with my play (I should have been a monster three handed but the guy I went heads up with had hit a Q on the river four handed when his JQ got lucky against my A7. It wouldnt be so bad preflop, but the money went in on an AQ5 flop). Next time.

Almost at $700

Pokerstars Balance - $688.01 (Not bad from $25 eh?)

Nothing Exciting

Yesterday the day started off on the right foot getting in the money twice in a row. (Albeit third place finishes, but profit none the less). I then proceeded to finish out of the money in two consecutive $25 SnG's and then I dropped down to a $15 and finished out of the money again. I was pretty much card dead throughout the last few games and I looked at the hand histories and other then pushing UTG with TJ at a six handed table, nothing I could do.

Pretty unlucky in the first out of the money finish as four handed a player went all in with AT and was called by KK. One player is all in and the other is left with 180 chips at blinds 200-400. The KK lost and he posted his BB next hand. The guy's hands kept winning and I ended up coming 4th. Not cool, 45 dollars for a third place would have seen me finish in profit yesterday. Instead I am now down to $639. Nothing dangerous but I may continue to play a few $15's to get the confidence back. Maybe even a few $6's, we'll see.

I have parents evening tonight at school (only 3 more weeks till Christmas vacation, thank you) so I will be home a little later then usual. Hopefully I can plunk down a bit late tonight and get some serious playing done.

Strike Up the Band Baby

YESSSSSSSSSSS

After many weeks floating around $500 on pokerstars and even going down as far as $250 a short time ago, I got the preverbial monkey of my back and surpassed my goal of breaking $600 this weekend. I started playing at around 8:00pm with $453 in my account and now I have $673. Damn straight.

I played some $25 SnG's as well as a $35 SnG and I played well. I had one outdraw and got outdrawn once so all is well. Really happy with my performance tonight. I know these SnG's are out of my bankroll but I only played them one at a time and the results speak for themselves.

Amazing how some strong showings live can give my online game confidence. Not going to tempt fate though, quite tired. Tomorrow will be here soon.

Bam baby $673 ! (I know, nothing incredible, I just was so stuck around $500, feels good to push on...$1000 here I come)

The Wabash Club

Last night I played at the Wabash Club for the first time. Cambo, the guy who organised our team for the team event, plays there often and met up with me beforehand to show how to get there.

The club has five tables and some couches as well as a few tv's spread out over the card room. Not a bad place at all. The tourney was a £25+£2 registration. You got 7,500 chips and another 15,000 anytime before the first break. The first hour was 100-200 blinds, and then half hour levels after that.

The first hour I played sooooooo tight. Played three hands in that time as well as two big blinds, Winning one pot. They had me labelled as the tightest player in the room. Thats fine, I want that.

During that first hour the funniest thing I have encountered at a poker table occured. The table was self dealt so we would high card when a dealer was ready to stop dealing and switch with another player. Apparently I dont look like I belong at a poker table as the dealer doing the high card placed his hand in front of me and said very slowly, "If you get the highest card of all the cards that are flipped over, you have to deal, ok?" Nice guy and all and only trying to be helpful, just quite funny. Anwyays.

The first major hand occured a few hands into the second level with me in the BB. There is one limper at 200-400 (they skip 150-300) and then the SB raised it to 2000. He is a maniac and could have anything. I look down and see JJ. I call, the limper calls. The flop comes 3J4 rainbow. Cue up the band. The small blind comes out firing with 3000. I call, the limper calls. The turn is an 8. The SB checks, I check, the limper bets out 5000. The small blind folds. I then go all in for an additional 5400. He calls. I flip over my set and he looks disgusted and shows AJ drawing dead. Second pot I win all night and I am table chip leader. Not bad at all.

I continue to play tight, no point getting involved and see few flops. I then pick up QK in mid position and raise the 300-600 blinds, 2800 to go. Now again, I have been playing tight and yet the small blind and big blind both call. (I know QK is not a great hand but I had good position and people were not used to seeing me play a hand). The flop comes out K73. Not bad. The SB checks, the BB checks. I bet out 3800. The SB folds, the BB calls. The turn is a 2. He checks and after seeing he has 18000 left, I bet 7000. He then goes all in. Making it 11000 to me. There is 41,000 in the pot and I have to call 11,000. I have 40,000 left in my stack (so I am in fine shape if I lose) and I am getting almost 4-1 on my money. I was most afraid of K7, but I thought maybe KT or K9. As I am deliberating, he says, "If you have to think this long, you are behind". Hmmmm. At that point I dont think he wants a caller and that seals it. Getting 4-1 and his strange speech play make it a call (I would have called without him saying anything but it just solidified it) He flips over K2 for two pair made on the turn. I laugh for his chasing and promptly river a 3 for a better two pair with my Q kicker. He is not happy, but to be fair, who is when they get knocked out. (I ended up speaking to him later and he is a nice guy, he even volunteered to deal for us later on, cheers Jack, unlucky) Now a few players at the table made some noise about me calling, whatever, I dont care. But Bob, a regular at the Cincinnatti Club, summed it up quite well, "What the hell is he calling preflop with K2?" Now I am not saying Jack made a bad play in calling preflop, but I think it is hard to say I should have laid it down on the river yet he should have called preflop. They are either both good plays or both bad plays.

I am now over 80,000 and I think tourney chip leader. I continue to coast along. I play few hands and basically wait patiently. The blinds are not big enough to start stealing consistently and there are a few short stacks in pushing mode, best to keep out for the time being. During this time a player arrives at the table, an older gentlemen who seems to be well known by most people there. He seems like a solid player. A little while passes and this new player is in the SB to my BB. With the blinds now at 800-1600 he flat calls my BB. I have Q9 and check it. The flop comes Q7Q. He immediately bets 6000. Now obviously I know I am ahead. If he has a Q or 77 he is gonna check. The problem however, is that I can't see his chips. He has his arms in the way and I can't see how much he has left. I dont want to go all in and have him fold with 20,000 or so still left thereby wasting a great opportunity to get them. Basically, I dont know if he is pot committed. I ask him how many chips he has but I didnt hear him. Either an accent problem or my ipod was on too loud (which I dont think it was but it could have been and I am giving him the benefit of the doubt) He finally moves his hands and I can see he has 8000 left. I raise him all in right away and he calls. He flips over 67 and I flip Q9. He immediately gets up and gives me a dirty look. I say unlucky, good game to which he gives me another dirty look and says something I couldnt make out. I take off my ipod to assess what the hell is going on. I look at the table for answers. Another regular says that he wasnt impressed with how much time I took to raise and thats why he is upset. I look at the player who is now standing a few feet away from the table and tell him I didnt know how many chips he had left. He then says 'Fucking prick'. I shrug my shoulders and respond with 'ok'. I am not getting into a war of words with someone not on the table. A little while passes and he is now talking to someone else. I can see is he talking about me again and motions towards me. I attempt to see if he has calmed down yet and say 'I'm sorry for taking so long, but I didnt know if you were pot committed, I didnt want to go all in and have you fold'. His response? 'You have the fucking chips, just put them in ya fucking prick'. Yes, definitely the highlight of the evening.

I continue to plod along, nothing dangerous, min raise the blinds of some short stacks and stay out of trouble. I then get moved to another table. I get some good cards and raise a few blinds take some down, nothing monumental. Pretty soon, the two tables are hand for hand for an eight player final. A bit unfair for my table as we are four handed and hit the blinds more frequently then the other table but what can you do?

I have about 130,000 out of around 810,000 and I am around 2nd or 3rd in chips. I then get 22 in the SB. The BB was just moved to the table and I have never played with him before. He has around 100,000. I raise the 2000-4000 blinds to 10,000. The flop is rags and I bet out 15,000. He folds and makes a comment about me stealing. Next orbit it is folded to me again in the SB. I look down to see AK. I raise again to 10,000. He takes a look at his cards and immediately goes all in for an additional 85,000. Damnit. I know he thinks I am stealing. And I know AK is either miles ahead or a coin flip. I also know that if I win this hand I am winning the tournament. No doubt in my mind I will win if I win this hand. I think about it and basically thought that the possibility of AQ or AJ was too good and even with a coin flip I can still win. I call. He flips over 99. The flop gives him a set. That is that. I am down to 30,000 in chips. It is here where I am the most diappointed in myself. I go all in with J7 next hand. I lose another coin flip to 33. I wish I had of played the stack tougher. Two double ups and I am back to where I was. I was just so distracted with losing the hand that I gave up. Something that I usually take pride in not doing.

Looking back I played solid poker for over four hours and I put it on the line with a coin flip when I had over 33 big blinds. Doyle Brunson says, "Never go broke in an unraised pot". I did. I have learned my lesson. Yes, the pot would have allowed me to win, but was it worth the risk of not having a chance to win at all? I think if I fold I do damage at the final table. My SnG game is strong and when I have a chip lead I can be dangerous. Too bad I didnt get the chance. Next time.

All in all, it was an ok night. The game is much different from anywhere I have ever played for sure. And without a doubt the most awkward moment I have ever encountered playing was the Q9 hand. But I plan on playing many more tournaments so I think if that stays the worst I will have a happy poker future.

Team Event Recap

Well, it was good to get back to live poker. And no matter how fun online can be, it doesn't compare to brick and mortar.

Last night I was lucky when I had to be and unlucky when I didn't have to be. Does that make sense? Not sure really.

We started with 5000 chips at a nine handed table and blinds at 50-100 with twenty minute levels. My table took the longest to finish and I am positive I got my moneys worth.

The first level I didnt play a hand. This continued until half way through the second level with blinds at 100-200 when I found K 8 spades two off the button with no limpers. I haven't played a hand in the first half hour so my raise would be respected right? Not quite. The button called, the small blind called and after a short dwell, the big blind folded. Hmmm, not good. That is until the flop of 457 all spades giving me the second nut flush and a gutshot straight flush draw. Small blind checks, I check, button checks. Turn is a 9 diamonds. Small blind checks and I bet 400 to see if someone has the A of spades. They both flat call. Hmmm. River is the 8 hearts. Small blind checks and I bet 2000 into a pot of 3200. The button folds and the small blind calls. I show the flush and he mucks. He later told me he had 66 which would make sense. I floated along, managed to get away from AT on an AQ2 board when I was reraised by the big blind. He showed the A2. I ended up getting KK and reraised some limpers but other then that, not a whole lot through the first hour. Little pots, no fireworks. By the break our table of nine, had become a table of eight (by far the slowest in the room) and I was sitting on 9,300. I was in the top two in chips at the table and was content.

After the break blinds were now at 200-400 and stealing was becoming a necessity. I continued with little cards until I got AJs in mid position. I raised 3X BB and was flat called by the SB who also had a lot of chips. I put him on a mid pair. The flop came AK2, I went all in after he checked. He showed TT and folded. I know he could have had a monster but I was pretty sure he had 88-JJ. I have played with him before and I was comfortable going all in in that spot. My chip stack stayed pretty safe until I made a stupid error. With the blinds at 400-800 I was two off the button with 22. I raised to 3000 just wanting the blinds. It was folded to the BB who went all in for another 2400. Damn. I had to call hoping for a coin flip but he turned over 88 and I got no help. I was now shortstacked with 2500 at a seven handed table and blinds at 400-800. I folded 64 but the following hand I picked up KJ. My second favorite hand to push with in that spot. (KQ being my favorite) The player on my immediate left who had been playing tight called immediately. Uh-oh. Then the short stacked small blind called as well. I thought I was done. But when we flipped them over it couldn't have been better. They both had AT. Perfect. The flop brought me a King and the turn and river didnt bring an ace. I went from short stacked 2500 to second place with 8300 (the 800 BB folded). I love SnG's. A few hands later I picked up QQ and raised putting the short stacked BB all in. He turned over 68. The board came 94468. Some people were watching and started yelling when he rivered the 8 but I knew he needed another 6 with the two 4's on board. After a minor commotion, I took the pot. It was around this time that my teammates informed me that I had to win if we were to advance, second place and we were gone. No pressure right?

We were now four handed and I was close to being the chip leader, if not the chip leader at around 15000. Then came a very tough hand. I got AJ and raised it to 3000 with the blinds still at 400-800. The other big stack went all in for around 11000 total. I was getting almost 2-1 for a call and I put him on either A rag or KQ. I have played with him before (same guy who had TT earlier) and I have seen him risk a lot of chips in a spot where he thinks he can get the other player to fold. I was not sure where he was. I figured I had live cards and if I lost I was still alive with enough chips to still have some fold equity. I called. I am still unsure if this was the right play (I am leaning towards it being the wrong one) but I called. He flipped over the same hand as before TT. The window card was an A with the board finally resting on AJ998. Phew. I didnt think he was that strong but it was probably what I wanted to see after I called. (compared to AK or QQ or something like that). By this time I have a lot if chips and my plan was to min raise, play small pots and cash in when I have the cards. That was the plan. Then why did I call a 10000 all in from another stack with A4? I raised to 3000 and he went all in for another 7000 or so. I put him on KQ and he wanted me to go away. I called hoping to see a bluff. He flips over JJ. Damn. The board gave me my ace and he was gone, but it was a terrible call on my part and was my worst play last night.

Heads up we go. I had a big chip lead starting heads up, but because there was only 45000 chips in play, one double up and the short stack is back in it. My plan right from the beginning was to play small pots and put him to tough decisions every hand. Well first off, I went card dead. I know the cards are irrelevant most times, but he was a solid player (hes the older gentlemen to my right in the picture below this post) and was not going to roll over. He pushed the first few hands where I min raised and I had to lay down. I had 46, 73 and J2 and didnt want to double him up with something like that. He fought extremely well and played very smart (well done Tom) and the chip lead went back and forth. I think we played heads up for over an hour or close to it. All the other tables had finished and they were just waiting for my table to be done. The hands were far from spectacular but the majority were flat calling the BB and betting the flop. Because of such few chips it would be difficult to get away from a re-raise, so it was a cagey game. I pushed with a lot of cards when we got to 1500-3000 as fold equity was the only thing keeping me afloat. As I said, he played very well. I ended up pushing one too many times and did so with 72s, yes, 72suited (like I said fold equity is everything in a SnG and it is never NEVER a bad play to get all your chips in first). He called immediately with AK. Two live cards right? Flop came 899 turn was another 9 I believe. And the river? Why a 7 of course. Thank you poker gods. I was now a slight chip leader. Like I said, only 45000 chips in play, anything can happen. Two hands later I get 75offsuit and flat call the BB. He checks. Flop comes Q55. Ok here we go. He checks, I check. The turn comes a 6. He goes all in. I jump up and say 'call' and throw the cards down. The river is another Q and I take it down. It felt so good.

I got up from the table after shaking hands excited to be in the next round, and also for winning the table I get my entry back, not bad at all. After talking to a few people about the last few hands (many people called me a maniac for the 72 hand), I see my teammates looking at the points board shaking their heads. That is never a good sign. The top seven teams get through. Team blow-up comes eighth. That sucks. Was so not cool. Steve got unlucky at his table, especially after a mis-deal when he had JJ on an T high board v AT. Dealers make mistakes it happens, just tough to take. Hairydude got outdrawn a few times including once for a huge pot, and came third. Cambo tried a bluff but the other guy hit a set and went out, while Greg's replacement had some unlucky flops.

It was disappointing to come so close, especially as I would have loved being the short stack at my next table seeing how far I could have gotten. The team had very solid players, too bad we just couldnt get a few more points and advance. Oh well, next time

Think I am going to play the £75 freeze tonight. Really enjoyed last night, and another night of live poker would be great...followed by a late sleep in Saturday morning.

Cincinnati Club Festival: Team Event Pictures

First up, my team: Team Blow-up


That's me in the red hoodie.


Steve talking, with the blue zip-up, sitting next to the guy with ipod earphones around his neck


Cambo has his back to the camera sitting in the chair in front of the water and tea (it's Scotland, of course someone at the poker table is drinking tea)


Hairydude with his back to the camera in the nine seat. Defintely his most flattering angle.


Greg from the Wabash couldnt make it, so his friend also from the Wabash played for him. I cant remember his name, but he is a solid player. That's him shuffling.

Some random photos

Cincinnati Club Festival: Team Event Pictures Continued

Cincinnati Festival

Today is the opening day of the Cincinnati Club poker festival. Looking forward to it. I have not played live in awhile and I am anxious to get back to the felt rather then sit at my computer. (I do love playing online, dont get me wrong, just a nice change is all).

Tonight's event is the team event, and I am on a pretty strong team. There is me, Timaloy, hairydude, cambo, and craig from the Wabash. (These are all names from the Blondepoker.com forum) so I think we have a good shot. With twenty four teams the tourney is packed and fergus8 (the tourney director and also on Blondepoker.com forum) has done a good job organising it.

The format is simple. Every player is put at a table of ten players. Every table will have representatives from different teams and no team members will play on the same table. Each player begins with 5000 chips and a SnG commences. When a winner from each table is crowned points are awarded to each team. A win for each player is worth 15 points to his team, second place 10 points...all the way doen to eighth, ninth, and tenth which are negative points for your team. After all the tables are through, the team with the most points advances to the final. The next top 6 teams go to the semifinals while the other teams are eliminated. Second place through seventh place then play another SnG with a member from each team at each table. However, instead of starting out with even chip stacks, the teams are given stacks based upon their finish in the earlier SnG. Second place team members will get 8000 chips to begin their tables, third place 7000, fourth place 6000 etc. The team that ends up with the most points out of this round advances to the final. The final is five games heads-up against the winners from the first SnG. The team that wins three or more wins.

The entry fee for each team is £210, or £42 per player. The first place team will receive £3000 (£600 per member) while second place will receive £1500 (£300 per member).

I could do with £600! Especially as that would allow me to play Friday's comp (£75 freeze) and maybe even Sunday's main event. Although at £200 for the main event I would have to feel pretty confident to put that amount on one tourney.

Heres to hoping

PS I played three SnG's last night. One $25 turbo and two $15 turbos. I got third in the $25 and a third in a $15. I was chipleader in the third place $15 turbo and four handed I put a medium stack all in with JJ. He called with AQ and hit an ace. He shouldn't have called for his life, but he did and won. C'est la vie

Pokerstars balance - $453.01

Ahem...ermm Part II

Played last night for a litte while. Played mainly the $15 turbos. Was sucked out on quite a bit, which wasn't cool. I ended up finishing $4 dollars down which is basically even. I am tired of playing for a lenghty period of time and not showing any results for the past two days so I have come to the conclusion that I need some change. A challenge so to speak. I think I may play a ladder system and see where it takes me.

I will play a $6 turbo. If I win or get second place, I will jump to the next turbo level, the $15. If I win or get second, I jump to the $25 turbos, the $55 and so on. I find that I have no great desire in winning a $15 turbo based on the fact that I have won them before. However, if I knew a positive result could mean jumping to a $25 and beyond, I think I would. We'll see how it goes. I think I will try tonight.

Heres to hoping

Ahem...ermm

Played last night and went from $506 to $443. Did not play the way I was the day before. Wrong frame of mind going into the SnG's, my 'show up and win' mentality was going strong and I should have identified that. Unfortunately I didnt.

I am upset that I lost but upbeat in how I buckled down and finished strong.


Tonight I want to top $600.

Here's to hoping.

I Bought A New Computer

I bought a new computer last night online. It should be here in a week or so. Mine busted a little while ago (the pixels were shot) and I needed one badly as the fiancee was sick and tired of sharing.

I was gonna buy another windows machine, I was looking at a compaq C350, but after looking at different laptop reviews online and talking to some tech whiz friends, I think Apple is for me.

Here is the one I chose: Mac Book (the one in the middle) The details of the machine show it to have an 80 gig hard drive, but I upgraded to the 120 gig. I know what many people are thinking, "AN APPLE! But no more poker!". No that is not true. You can install windows onto a Mac and play poker very easily. There is a program called Boot Camp which is available for free on the net and is designed for exactly that. I plan on having poker sites and pretty much nothing else on my windows as I am sick of viruses and spyware. There are no viruse or spyware on a Mac. I am looking forward to that. Plus, with a mac I get ilife, which is a series of five sick programs which are incredible. Imovie, idvd, garageband, iphoto, and itunes (I know not really worth mentioning as its free but whatever). These programs allow me to make dvds, do some crazy stuff with music and photos, and basically have fun. I am also looking at taking my blog further as a Mac easily makes videoblogging and podcasts very simple. I am especially looking forward to that.

Along with my new computer I bought a new 80 gig video ipod. I have wanted one of these for awhile as I often see some of my students with them, and they look very cool. My current ipod is a 6 gig mini and I pretty much have it full to the brim with music. This sucks because I want to start listening to more podcasts such as cardplayer's 'The Circuit' and Phil Gordons 'Expert Insight'. Plus with a Mac, my ipod will be set to download all these podcasts automatically, making it much easier then hunting them down on my fiancee's machine.

I can't wait for them to arrive. In the meantime, I am hoping the success in the $15 turbos continues.

Heres to hoping

Positive Frame of Mind

The multis last night didnt produce anything. The deepstack I did not play as well as I would have liked. I was card dead for long stretches and as a result I was the short stack on my table most of the time. I ended up pushing in with AJ when the tourney chipleader raised. He called with 77 and I hit two jacks but he four flushed and that was it. I am disappointed as I let the stack size of others dictate my play rather then the blinds. Next time.

The APAT I did ok. I never had a big hand to break out with, I was around 13K-17K most of the night and as the blinds rose, my cards didnt rise to meet the occasion. I pushed with AJs and was called by AK.

The $3 rebuy I was bored with. I lost a coinflip and left the tourney. I was more interested in the deepstack.

Anyways, after last night, my balance was an extremely unhealthy $285. Yes, I know, pitiful. Especially for a player who wants $1000 by Christmas. Well after playing today I am back to $506. Quite a nice profit for a days work if I do say so myself (which I do). I bit the bullet and started playing the $15+1 turbos. They are fantastic as they suit my game extremely well. When it gets to four handed I make a movkery of the game and pretty much take control. I am much more dangerous in these games the in the $6 SnG turbos as people in the $6 get fed up and call me, whereas in the $15 turbos they fold.

I played 17 today and I finished in the money 11 times. Happy days!

1st - 5
2nd - 1 (I have a lot of confidence when it gets heads up as I have been playing very well)
3rd - 5
Out of money - 6

I realise that these games are out of my bankroll, but to be honest, I lost interest with the grind of the $6 turbos. I was not reaching my goal quick enough for my liking and I dont like playing when I am not focused. These new tourneys have me very interested and that is a good sign. I am hoping for more of the same tomorrow.

Day of the Multis

Planning on playing three multis today.

The first up is the $10 deepstack starting at 5pm GMT. 5000 chips, 30 minute blinds. I cannot wait. I played one before but was silly and got all the money in with K7 on KK9 board. He had K9 and that was me.

The second is the $3.30 rebuys at 7pm GMT. I played this 2 weeks ago and had KK beat by AK. I know I can peform well and a massive prize pool is a nice enticement to do so.

The third is the APAT Chinese Amateur Poker Open. The Amateur Poker Association Tour is a UK based business that provides poker for amateurs. They have a tourney on pokerstars every second Saturday for $22, and a starting chip count of 5000 but the levels are a regular 15 minutes.

I hope to have a nice cash in atleast one so I can get ready for next weeks Cincinnati Club Fetival.

Heres to hoping

Bond Is A Re-Buy Merchant

Saw Casino Royale last night. Not a bad movie, but the poker scenes. Oh, the poker scenes. Now I know these hands are not real, yes I know that, it's a movie. But as a poker enthusiast I like seeing the game I enjoy shown in the light it deserves. ie, winning hands with A high happens, you can get lucky, the better player usually wins. For those of you who have not seen the movie and do not want to know what the poker scenes are like, stop reading. Stopped yet? Stop, seriously. Just stop.

Ok, the first poker scene is the bad guy playing a women and some rich business man on a yacht. The turn card is the only part of the board shown and it is a K of diamonds. The bad guy goes all in and says, "I have two pair, you have a 17.4% chance of making your straight on the river." And guess what, the other guy folds! I thought for sure he had a set. Just kidding, wouldnt make much sense to see the bad guy lose to anyone but Bond. This scene I didnt like as he had no idea what the women folded, therefore he does not know how many outs the man has to make a straight.

The second scene is Bond playing a minor bad guy at a club in the Bahamas. Blinds are 100-200 and we pick up the big defining hand on the turn. It is a blank and the minor bad guy bets 5000 on an ace high board. Bond flat calls. The river is a K. The minor bad guy bets everything and then tries reaching into his pocket to write a cheque for 20,000. I would have left the cinema if the dealer allowed it, but thankfully she says only whats on the table can be bet. The minor bad guy then says, "well, my keys are on the table". And throws his expensive car into the pot. Bond then tells the dealer it's ok to bet it and calls. Minor bad guy flips KK hitting his set on the river, while Bond 'luckily' had AA for a higher set. So cheesey and cliched.

The rest of the poker is at Casino Royale in Montenegro and Bond has been bought in by the Mi6 as, "he is the best player in the service" (I am sure they keep records of such things). The buy in is 10 million with a rebuy if needed of 5 million.

Anyway, the first big hand shows the board as 589 hearts and the turn is the 9 clubs. Head bad guy (same from yacht) bets each round and is called by Bond. The river is a 2 and bad guy bets again. Bond calls to see a boat. 22299. I would say in a real game, Bond had either a low flush or a pair. Obviously they dont show it, but it would make sense for the hand. Bond then tells his cohorts at the bar that bad guy had a tell and gives the odds of hitting his set on the river as 23-1. Again, impressing those non poker people, but evident to anyone who has an odds calculator or goes to cardplayer.com. Anyways, the next big hand is where I have a big problem.

The board reads J K A J K and the bad guy goes all in. Bond lifts his cards to reveal AK, the third nuts, behind AA and JJ. Bond then calls for all his chips to be shown JJ. Bond leaves the table and is shown talking to his service friends. He is blamed for losing focus and "how could he lose with such a hand". Ok, that is upsurd. Yes he had the third nuts, but the fact he couln't lay it down is not an obvious mistake. Silly really. He buys back in and wins enough to be a contender again.

The final hand shows a board of Ah 4s 6s 8s As. Everyone goes all in (the four remaining) and they prepare to flip over their cards. Cue the cheese please. At this point I say to my finacee next to me "KQ spades". The lowest stack shows KQ spades. Thank you. I then say "pocket 8's". Next lowest stack shows 88. Thank you. I then say pocket Aces, but bad guy shows A6, hey, I was close. And then I say obviously, "57 spade". And yes incredibly, Bond has it. I know, I was worried he was bluffing as well.

All in all, I was pleased to see poker in a major film which will be seen by poker players and non poker players alike. I think the movie did ok in portraying poker and because it is trying to appeal to many people, it had to be a bit cheesey.

RIP Six Seaters

Well that sucked.

Last night I began playing the six seater $12 SnG's. They are by far the most frustrating tables I have ever played on. My first table I played I looked up each of the players on sharkscope to see their monetary records on pokerstars. Two players were in the megative hundreds, two players were in the negative thousands (including one guy who was down eight grand) and the fifth player was a positive nine dollars in three hundred games. Yes, apparently games like this exist. Then why did I not finish in the money?

These players called everything. Let me repeat that, everything. I folded anything and everything early on waiting for a big hand to get paid off with. Said hand arrives in the form of AA on the button. I raise to 350 with the blinds at 25-50. I get four callers. Let me say that again I had not played a hand in over twenty minutes and I get four callers. The flop comes K98 with two spades. Damn. Dangerous flop. First player bets 3/4 of the pot, second player calls, third player calls, fourth player folds. What do I do? I thought I was ahead so I went all in. Two callers. One player flips up T2 spades. Yes that is the T2 of spades calling a raise of 300. The other player flips over K5o. Yes that hand again is a K5o. The turn is a blank and the river is the five of spades, making my hand the third best. Frustrating to say the least.

Yes I know many people will say I can make money in games like these and that when hands like that call my AA I will win in the long run. But to be honest, I didnt have fun. I played a few more and basically broke even by getting two second places but it wasn't poker, not even at the end. The game was just me sitting there waiting for the nuts, and because it is six handed, there are not enough chips three handed to get creative. All in all, the six seat mania was short lived.

Which brings me to my next point. I think I am going back to the good ole days of min raises and folding everything early. Yes, a normal, run of the mill, ten minute levels, nothing fancy early, fold 77 in early position, stay away from confrontation, nine player SnG's. But not the $5.50, nope, not for this hombre. I am venturing forth to the $10 SnG. The first place money is the same as the $6.50 18 man turbos and the six seater $12 SnG's, so it makes sense. I can't go back to the $5.50 SnG either as I may kill myself playing for over an hour and earning $17. I think I can play well and hopefully go back to the format which was most successful for me. I may also allow myself the occasional foray into the $20 SnG world if I win a few in a row, almost as a reward to liven up the game.

Here's to hoping

Six Seat Mania

I have decided to play the six seaters for a little while to see how I get on. The first prize is the same as the 18 man turbos, albeit double the entry fee. I think with the game not developing into a crap shoot I can do well. If I get any lower then $300 (approx nine buyins at this level) then I will drop back down.

Here's to hoping

Definition of Discipline and Focus - NOT ME!

I am very upset with myself.

Last Friday I had my roll as high as $560. I was playing so well. I went on a run where I played four 18 man turbos and I got three firsts. Crazy eh? My confidence was super high, I saw the game on a different level and I was really playing well. Then late Friday night I decided to log back on and play some more. I was destroying the 6.50 turbos...why not play the $16 turbos and ride my hot streak? For those of you with weak stomachs, stop reading. I played some $16 turbos, maybe four or five, and I believe I got a 4th place somewhere in there. I went to Ireland and played a $16 turbo. No dice. I played some more $6.50 turbos trying to get some confidence back. No dice yet again. I was getting cold decked supremely and getting bad beats galore. Nothing like getting kicked when your down. I then remembered talking to my college roommate Mike and that he started playing the $35 six seaters. I took a stab on them (I know I know totally not what my original goal was) and came up empty. I played some more today and again I could pick up nothing in the turbos. I was down to around $320, yes, about $240 away from where I was Friday night. (If I had only went to bed and stopped playing) So I collected myself and signed up for a $35 six seater. With my registration paid I had $285 left. I was down early but fought back. This is the final hand.



I felt it was nice of the poker gods to give me a straight flush as some form of redemption.

Well I am beaten but I feel that it was yet another good experience that did not leave me penniless. I am upset I let myself get so low, but I am glad I put it up on this blog as I thought about not posting it.

I am going to think it over about what game I should playing and what stakes suit me. I am getting a little tired of the turbos, but cannot go back to playing the five dollar SnG's. I am looking at the $12 six seaters, but we'll see.

Pokerstars Balance - $422.45

Thank You

Thank You Youtube, this made my day.

A player named Tuff_Fish is playing 2/4 No Limit on Party Poker. While playing, this player records his thoughts using a microphone as well as a camera pointing at the screen. Just watch this hand, his reaction is priceless.

Tuff_Fish goes on tilt.

PS Turn up the volume to make sure you hear everything, although there is some bad language so headphones may be in order depending on who is in the room

Rome Wasn't Built in A Day (Hopefully It Was A Week)

First of all, I must admit that yesterday's pokerstars balance was not correct at $450, rather it was $442. Not a massive difference but I want to keep such information accurate.

So last night I was late at work with parents night, so I came home tired but wanting to play for a little while. I logged on and signed up for the usual 18 man turbo. It filled quickly and we were away. I had little early, folding and watching a rather aggressive table. Then I got AQ suited on the button. With 3 mid position limpers at 15/30 I raised to 250. (yes I know it is a lot but I have found at this level, it is the way to go as I only want the pot heads up or I am content to take it down) One caller. The flop comes QJ4. He checks, I raise 400 he calls. The turn is a 3. He checks I go all in, he calls with A3. Yes, A3. River is not a 3, I am up to 2700 early. (yes I put in his notes he is a fish). A few hands later I get AA folded around to me in the cut off. I raise to 150 wanting one caller. The BB obliges. The flop is Q92. He checks I bet 300, he calls. The turn is a J. He checks, I go all. He calls 900 with T 7. River is a blank and I am up to 4000. (Yes I also put fish in his notes as well). A few hand later in the BB I get QTs. The shortstacked SB makes up the 100 BB, just the two of us. Instead of raising I decide to see a flop. The flop comes AT6. He checks, I bet 100, he goes all in. He wouldn't flat call the BB with an ace right? I call. Yes he would, he has A4. Turn is a T, river is a Q giving me a boat and 1200 more chips. Who says I have no luck right?

Final Table. With eight people left I get TT in mid position. Wth a stack of 6500 and being in second place I raise the 100-200 blinds to 800. A stack of 2300 goes all in. I call and he shows QQ. Board comes K T 8 7 4. Oops. I suck out again. As the game winds down, a fast game becomes a slow one, and for the first time, a turbo gets to 1000-2000 blinds. Heads up I am in the SB with 64. With a stack of 16000, I go all in as by this time it is a crap shoot. He calls with Q3. I flop a 6, no queen hits and I take it down. He berated me in the chat box how I could move with 64. Well, the fact he called with Q3 can hardly be called a good play, and he also sucked out on me with 97 v AQ earlier, so it evens out.

All in all, a great way to get back to winning ways. One game, one first place. Very satisfying. I realise that one good day is not enough to say I am back on track, but I hope it is a start.

Pokerstars Balance - $479.35

PS Going to Ireland this weekend so probably no poker. I may fit a game in hopefully but no guaruntees. I hope to play a few tonight but I am going to see Casino Royale and hopefully some proper poker scenes. (If it is royal flush v quads or full house v straight flush type stuff I will not be happy.)

Here's to Hoping

Purple Monkey Dishwasher

I played last night.

I went as low as $416.

Twice I had pairs beat by lower pairs.

Twice I had AK beat by Ax.

I wanted to play poker forever and never again at the same time.

I finished strong though and got back up to $450.

Luck is around the corner...I hope.

Why oh Why?

Well yesterday I was riding high. I had $520 in my account, and with the fiancee going to parents night at her school, I had a two hour window and aspirations of reaching $600. I started off with a different game plan. I opened a $6.50 turbo and a regular $5.50 18 man SnG. I thought that as the turbo fiished, the regular SnG would be heading into high gear with 75/150 blinds and where the min raise is king. It didnt pan out. I got 4th place in the turbo and no place in the regular. I tried again losing both. I tried yet again, losing both. By this time I am getting frustrated and in my frustration I do what I promised myself I wouldn't. I opened a $16 turbo. I know. I am ashamed and feel guilty. I just wanted to see the level of play and if there were any differences in the flow. Although, I must come clean...I played two of them. I know. I shouldn't have but I got unlucky in the first and thought the second would be better. It wasn't. I got 7th place for the big nada.

So here I am, feeling guilty after losing $58 in one sitting. I am a new man though, and I plan on attacking the turbos with a renewed sense of vigour. I have seen the dark side and lived to tell the tale. I am humbled yet again, but feel freed from any further temptation. I will return to the world of $500 bank rolls and hopefully the $600 club will follow soon after.

Knightsridge will be back. (yes I just spoke in the first person, thats how serious I am)

Pokerstars Balance - $462.85

Vegas Baby Vegas

No I am not in Vegas. I am still in rain soaked Glasgow Scotland, but I thought I would share a story from when I was in Vegas this past summer.

I work at a children's sports camp each summer in the Catskill Mountains of New York. I have done this the past six years and I love it. I teach tennis and roller hockey as well as act as the assistant head counselor. Where does Vegas come in you ask? Well, the oldest kids on camp are fifteen and each summer this age group takes a ten day trip to the west coast. (yes, the kids are loaded) I was asked by the camp director if I would fly with the kids and tour around as a chaperone. As in I pay nothing and see the west coast? As in I pay nothing and have fun with kids I have known for six years and my girlfriend who is also a counselor comes with us? As in I pay nothing and stay in beautiful hotels in San Fran, Beverly Hills, Arizona and (gulp) Las Vegas? As in...hell yes.

We went to the coast and had a great time, but for me for obvious reasons Las Vegas was by far my favorite part. It truly is an amazing place. Even though I was only there for a short period of time, a day and a half, it was enough to make me want to go back very soon. I went to the WSOP at the Rio, and saw Lederer and Lindgren, saw the tables spread out from wall to wall and saw the hoopla that surrounds poker's biggest spectacle. Absolutely thrilling. I saw The Bellagio and Caesar's Palace and I could have stayed forever. The buzz is incredible.

Anyways. I was staying at The Excalibur. It is across the street from the MGM and is on The Strip. It is a massive hotel (I was in room 17235 meaning 17th floor, 2nd tower, room 35, insane eh?) and has a shopping mall, about twenty restaurants, and an indoor walkway to MGM which is also massive. Because I was with kids as a chaperone, I didnt feel comfortable leaving them and walking around Vegas at night when they are in their rooms, so I opted to stay at the Excalibur and play there. The kids had a curfew of midnight so at 12:05 I was at the table.

The game was 1-3 no limit with a max buy in of $200. I bought in for $200 and because cash is not my usual game, played tight early. I built up a reputation as a tight player and slowly loosened up winning a few pots. I was up to about $260, when the following hand happened. To this day I think about this hand and how different it could have ended up; both positively and negatively.

I was in the BB for three dollars and the UTG straddled for six dollars. (A straddle is doubling the BB UTG and if the straddle is only called and not raised the straddler has the option to raise.) The six dollars was called by three players (a new guy to the table but seemed solid, a drunk guy, and a guy who seemed on tilt and was running low on chips) The SB folded and I looked down to see AA. This was my first real starting hand and I definitely did not want five to the flop. I raised to $31 to play (25 raise plus the straddle of 6). The straddler folded. The solid new guy flat called (I immediately was worried and I put him on a mid pair hoping to hit a set.) The drunk guy called. By this time I was really worried. Then the tilter low on chips goes all in for $54. It is back to me facing a raise of $29. By this time the pot has grown quite large and I am content to play it heads up; I go all in for around $225. The solid player seemed disgusted and made a comment to the tilter about being forced out of the hand. The drunk guy then started staring at me. He was swaying and his eyes were blood red. He had less then me but more then the tilter. He took forever, and then called. What the hell is going on I thought? The drunk flips over AT offsuit (like I said...drunk) The tilter flips over 85 offsuit (like I said tilt) and I flip over bullets. The pot is quite big, the biggest since I had arrived at the table, and all I want is a flop of QQQ or KKK so I can breath again. As the dealer positions our cards on the felt preparing to deal the flop, the solid player says 'nice hand, I had sevens'. The flop comes T 4 7, giving drunk guy top pair needing another ten, and tilter a gutshot needing a six. As I am trying to figure this out, the dealer turns a blank; Q. One more blank please dealer. The river is the 6 giving tilter a straight. Tilter lets out a yell and some comment about gambling in poker and the courage he showed. He wins the main pot while I settle for the side pot of me and drunk guy (which strangely enough put me five dollars up for the hand after I finish counting)

This hand could have changed dramatically if the solid player had seen the flop with sevens. I would have gone broke when he hit his set. No doubt about it. I would have led out big and he would have reraised all in. Even more amazing however, is the amount I raised preflop. Had I reraised any more then $25, tilter guy's all in would have been an under raise not allowing me to go all in over the top shutting out solid guy and his sevens. A strange hand, both lucky in some ways and unlucky in others. To cap this though, as I was counting the chips from the side pot, some regulars start hitting the table in unison saying 'spin the wheel, spin the wheel' I give a 'what the hell is going on look' and the dealer explains. 'If you have aces cracked all in preflop you spin the bad beat wheel, just tell the poker cage and they will bring you over'. I walk to the cage in the middle of the poker area and say 'I had aces cracked preflop' The cage looks at the dealer from my table and she gives the nod. I walk up to the wheel and it looks heavy. I think I will have to give it a solid spin to make it go around. Well I spin as hard as I can and when I do this I realise it is not heavy, but in fact, light. The wheel takes off and shows no signs of stopping. I stand there like an idiot waiting for this wheel to stop and the whole poker room is looking at me. I also see that my table is dealing again and that I had posted the SB before I left. I run over and play the hand. The wheel is still going. I play my button hand and the wheel is still going strong. After the third hand, the wheel is slowing down. I walk over and the wheel finally stops at $30. I walk up and inform the cage that I won $30.

That hand was, and remains, by far the weirdest way I have ever won $35 in my life. But it definitely made the trip to Vegas memorable.

Late Night With A Monkey

Last night I couldn't sleep so I thought I would play a late night SnG to finish out the day. I logged on and thought I would check out the Sunday Million tourney to see if any big names were on. There was. 'matt674' an Irish player and friend from Blonde Poker was sitting on 40,000 or so at around 11:30. Great I thought, fire up an SnG and watch Matt play while the tedious opening levels of the SnG unfold.

Let's just say that Matt was faring better than my attempts as my AK was no match for AJ. I couldn't go to bed now though, not being 6.50 down and Matt going strong. This was my thought process at 11:30. This continued until close to 3:00am. 'matt674' (who's p-stars pic is something like this) was playing solid poker but was not getting the cards to fall as they should missing out on a double up with AJ v AT ending in a split pot.

After a run in with AJ v AQ, Matt found himself down to less then a BB and in the BB. Fortunately he quadrupled up with a K6, stole some blinds and had it folded around to him once while in the BB. Then this hand happened. Matt went all in for a little less then 200,000 with AK UTG to be called immediately by AQ in mid position. The flop came Q high and the turn gave trip Q's. Unlucky Matt, but 340th or something close as well as $1200 is nothing to be disappointed with. WP.

PS I fared ok in the SnG realm last night. Finishing with $502.54 which is exactly where I was Saturday morning, albeit after some multis including a rebuy. Quite satisfied for the time being, although I am anxious to hit $600.