Starstruck at the IO...
Went to the Westbury for the Good Friday €100FO, with a 20k starting stack and 1k early bird - I don't think I have played anything as deep as this before! There was quite a few notables there with Tom Maguire, David S, Alan Carroll, KoolKid and of course our Susie Woosie! I had a loose, loose lag to my immediate right. Involved in several pots left right and centre with marginal hands, just getting lucky here/there, losing just as much as he was winning with his stack yo-yo'ing like mad. I was just waiting for my spots and keeping out of his way after he whacked my AK with 710s. Down to 16k in BB, blinds 100/200, Yo-Yo Lag raised to 600 from SB. I looked down and found QQ. Bingo! Re-raised to 2400, Yo-Yo Lag shoves his 20k+ stack over the line (standard for him) I insta-called. He tables 88... flop came J810... but no queen or 9 to save me and I was gone. Meh!
After that got persuaded by Alan Carroll (busted out early on a cooler AA-v-KK) to go up to City West, while I was keen to play cash/SnGs I think he was more excited at the fact a bar was open on Good Friday, LOL! While he went off to drink himself something silly, I added my name to the list for cash table. Waiting to be called for a cash spot I went for a walk about the room, practically blinded-starstruck spotting likes of Jamie Gold, Jennifer Tilly, Phil Laak while looking on in horror at a desperate looking Andy Black!
WTF with that beard Andy? When I first saw Andy in real life - he came in to officially open the first IPO in RDS looking radiant, trim and sexy (oh yes!) in a nice suit, what changed?! Here was a down and out with tatty clothes, unkempt beard and a hair style that makes Doke's look neat... He was a walking advert how poker can put you in the gutter! I was so stunned I missed looking for the people I know like: Smurph, Clamper, Doke, Flushdraw & Gilly or JamesG!
I was more pissed at missing Michael Greco! Had a HUGE crush on him years go, mind you it's probably just as well as I'd have made a total eejit of myself chatting him up or worse: stalking him for the entire event... LOL!
Finally got into a cash game, and yo-yo'ed my initial €100 buy-in up and down all night. Had a figure of €300 in my head (trying to win my buy-in back plus a wee profit - enough for the buy-in for the Ladies Side Event) but never got beyond €200... just kept crashing back down. After few hours I shoved with JJ and got called by QQ. As I was walking out of the room right behind Andy (looking even more destitute walking out arm-in-arm, deep in conversation with Channing) and watching a certain Boyle Sports rep wrestle drunkenly with some players in the foyer... exiting the building got a shock seeing how bright it was, realised the night had just flown!
Following night I decided to give the cash tables another bash, but no luck, another 100 down and ruled myself out of the Ladies Side Event. By all accounts the standard was as dire as last year, I guess I missed nothing!
Had a nice and quiet Easter in Roscommon instead, until I put my back out something awful... went to GP and got anti-inflamms etc, had a sick note for the week but made myself go into work. Bad idea, ended up worse and having to take this week off.
Coolered at the Scalps
Was in the mood for a game on Friday, went into Fitz for the scalps game, and didn't win one scalp! Practially had to fight for my pots, was barely up to 8k by break, topped up to 12k. Then went card dead after the break, til I then found KK, one raise (all-in short stack), one caller already and two blinds to act... I shoved, as you do. All four called(!) Two AKs, AJ and JJ... what are the odds of an ace AND a jack appearing on that board(?) I kid you not - they did!
Went down to the cash tables with €150, barely 2 hours later after a nice rush of cards I was up to €450, but the tiredness from the sleepiness nights I was experiencing was kicking in, I was happy to call it a night at 1am.
Vegas Nights Team Event
Got asked by JamesG to join his team for the Vegas Night Team Event with '€5k Guaranteed' for the winning team. With 65 players, or 13 teams, the numbers fell short of the 15 needed to meet the guarantee, never mind providing a payout structure for the final table from an expected 'excess'. Vowing to play tight I had a rush of good cards from the start, which I hate... They all got busted. Limped in with AJs and called a raise to see A810x flop, got kicked by A10. Next hand raised in LP with AQs hammered by MP's 910s for a straight to the Q on the river. Down just under 5k from a 7k starting stack - I got AA in BB, 4 limpers I re-raise 6xBB. Action folded around to SB (4k) who called, then check-called all my raises to the river with 810 off - he floped a straight on the flop(!) Grrrrrr! Shoved pre-flop with my final 1k holding AK called by 10 10 - no ace to save me and I was out by the end of the first level! Meh! Well done my friend, fellow-dealer Paul Fox, who took it down!
Playing cash and the side event - the amount of limping in with prime hands (AK, AA, QQ etc), slowplaying and trapping was unbelievable. I gave up and went to Tallaght Poker Rooms to build up my cash hours. No luck there either, just got the hours sorted for the Cash League event on 17th May. We met John the new manager for Celbridge Poker Rooms and bagged an invite to the grand opening freeroll next week. Looking forward to seeing the new premises!
Malahide EOM Game
I was so looking forward to this since I won the ticket! With 65 players generating a huge pot, 17k starting stack and 25 minute blinds we had a full night of poker ahead of us. Well, I never really got going.... I was so card dead it was sad!
I had aimed to play tight for a first few levels anyway, I had a migraine on/off all day, kept coming back in the game and folded a couple of hands that I would have normally have played (both would have paid me off well with flopped straights and big pots etc). Finally got a pair of 10 10s to raise with, but BB (chipleader) re-raised huge and I had to fold.
I raised with air a couple of times in desperation to keep my chips up, my heart was hammering til they both folded! Was so thankful to take down those pots to keep my hoovering around 15-17k until a couple of levels after the break, falling to a low of 9k, I re-built the stack up to 25k approx with two key hands; then I found A10s in MP and overplayed it badly. Raising 3xBB, button and SB called, flop came A32, SB checked I bet out 2/3 pot, both button and SB called. Turn was 8. SB checked, I made a continuation bet of 1/3 the pot, and botton insta-re-raised to 10k. I had 14k left and folded after a dewell showing my ace putting him on AJ/AQ/AK/A8/88. Bad move, I should have check-raised the flop or shoved the turn. Asking button if he had two pair he said no... that my ace would have won, meh, I felt a right fool for thinking I was behind. The mistake put me on tilt a bit and I shoved with A4 shortly after into AJ, Jack high board sealed my fate.
Great game, I learnt a lot from some players, the standard was really good. Will aim to win another Satt and play it again! Hopefully I do better than exiting in 30-something place!
Sad News
I was stunned to learn of Joan Vicker's untimely and tragic death this week. I first met Joan while playing the Sean Jethi Team Event, we played on the same team with Smurph, Sam (the dealer) and Laura Lashes; I spent the rest of evening drinking with her and her husband; after both we got kicked out early in our heats. I continued to meet Joan around the poker circuit, exchanging small talk and good humoured banter, she was a good player and great craic to have on the tables. I often miss out on the general banter at the table and Joan would repeat it for my benefit. I really appreciated this small gesture, so disappointed I never got to thank her for doing that for me. Bumping into her after exiting the scalps game last Friday in the Fitz, I moaned about my cooler exit hand and she listened sympathetically urging me not to take it to heart... I never thought it would be our last meeting.
RIP Joan, you won't be forgotten.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
"You play too much poker for a Lady..."
I was dealing in the BrucePoker Mullingar game last Friday, there was a surplus of dealers available so naturally we offered a chance to play. The standard on some tables was so bad it made my local pub game look top-class, I was so tempted to take up the offer before the window closed knowing I could easily go deep in this, but by the time I made up my mind, Dani had no intention of letting me go with people already looking for cash games...
Moaning to one of the older dealers, he shook his finger at me and admonished sternly "You play too much poker for a lady!" The guy has only dealt to me a handful of times in 2 years, asking him why he thought that he went on to point out that women are not suited for poker at all(!) They are more likely "lose" early to be targeted by male players calling their raises with "any two". Of course! But that's EXACTLY what we want them to do anyway(!)
He even offered a bet with me that there won't be any woman on the final two tables. I laughed him off saying the ratio of players wouldn't make it a fair bet while reminding him kindly that Smurph took down the last game... As Smurph and Vera came up looking for a cash game a few minutes later, I caught his eye as he gave me this "see, told ya..." look, shook his head and sighed sadly. I just wish I had taken him up on that bet! One of the female dealers Gerri, just about made it to the final two tables as the last woman standing! Then it would be ME giving him the look as I take his money! LOL!
The IDP monthly game was on Saturday, with half the usual numbers due to several other events clashing. Went to the Fitz afterwards to play some cash it turned into a marathon session! I playing totally crap at the start to be honest and getting lucky. In the end just as I started picking up my game I got well and truly hammered by men who fancied their chances playing with "any two against a woman..." Meh!
Last night the Westbury were hosting a €20+20 Satt for their infamous €250+20 end of month game with two tickets guaranteed; Value! I already told Larry I'd be there. Had a rotten day at work, had kinda made up my mind to leave it for another night. But after putting the little one to bed, seeing nothing worthwhile on TV I quickly changed my mind, alerted the au pair I was heading out after all, hopped in the car and arrived at 9pm only to find the place practically empty!?
Larry welcomed me and asked had I got his PM, I hadn't, he pointed out their regular players had requested the Monday night €35FO and not the Satt but he had a sweet deal for me: if I play the FO and come 1st or 2nd place he will personally give me a ticket regardless of the prize fund with a €100+10FO ticket if I came 3rd. Couldn't refuse that excellent offer, could I!
By the time the game got underway, we had 20 players playing for a €600 prize fund. On the starting table I had Derek 'Ex-Clamper' Williams on the button to my BB, a tough and unpredictable player, he doubled up not once but three times in the first level. I locked horns with him all night, more than any other player! He was very active in nearly every pot, while I didn't see much cards in the early stages. I played aggressively using my position on him and tried to steal with what I had. I yo-yo-ed from 5k starting stack to 7.5k then back down to 2.5k before doubling up, and re-building back to a 9.5k stack by the time I arrived on the final table and tightened up my game.
Derek was on my immediate right as chipleader, that position proved valuable for me later in the game. I picked up QQ and AA and shoved both times, the AA hand knocked out two players and made me chipleader with 6 players left. But Derek being the devils advocate just keep chipping into me! My only regret was when we were 4 handed, I folded ace high to Derek's river shove only to be shown a 9 high bluff, after calling his raises all the way... Grrr!
Once the bubble had burst I quickly eliminated the 3rd player and faced Derek in a battle of wills showdown that last a good 40 mins... where he slowly took the chiplead from me before I levelled the play back to 50-50 with a well executed slow-played two pair. After this Derek offered to split 50-50 with him being declared the outright winner for league points, knowing I had my ticket secured plus €60 in cash, I agreed. Good game, great value for €35... if they increase the starting stack or bring in an early bird chip, I can see this become a regular fixture!
Bring on the €270 game on the 21st April... There will be a Lady on that final table boys!!!
Moaning to one of the older dealers, he shook his finger at me and admonished sternly "You play too much poker for a lady!" The guy has only dealt to me a handful of times in 2 years, asking him why he thought that he went on to point out that women are not suited for poker at all(!) They are more likely "lose" early to be targeted by male players calling their raises with "any two". Of course! But that's EXACTLY what we want them to do anyway(!)
He even offered a bet with me that there won't be any woman on the final two tables. I laughed him off saying the ratio of players wouldn't make it a fair bet while reminding him kindly that Smurph took down the last game... As Smurph and Vera came up looking for a cash game a few minutes later, I caught his eye as he gave me this "see, told ya..." look, shook his head and sighed sadly. I just wish I had taken him up on that bet! One of the female dealers Gerri, just about made it to the final two tables as the last woman standing! Then it would be ME giving him the look as I take his money! LOL!
The IDP monthly game was on Saturday, with half the usual numbers due to several other events clashing. Went to the Fitz afterwards to play some cash it turned into a marathon session! I playing totally crap at the start to be honest and getting lucky. In the end just as I started picking up my game I got well and truly hammered by men who fancied their chances playing with "any two against a woman..." Meh!
Last night the Westbury were hosting a €20+20 Satt for their infamous €250+20 end of month game with two tickets guaranteed; Value! I already told Larry I'd be there. Had a rotten day at work, had kinda made up my mind to leave it for another night. But after putting the little one to bed, seeing nothing worthwhile on TV I quickly changed my mind, alerted the au pair I was heading out after all, hopped in the car and arrived at 9pm only to find the place practically empty!?
Larry welcomed me and asked had I got his PM, I hadn't, he pointed out their regular players had requested the Monday night €35FO and not the Satt but he had a sweet deal for me: if I play the FO and come 1st or 2nd place he will personally give me a ticket regardless of the prize fund with a €100+10FO ticket if I came 3rd. Couldn't refuse that excellent offer, could I!
By the time the game got underway, we had 20 players playing for a €600 prize fund. On the starting table I had Derek 'Ex-Clamper' Williams on the button to my BB, a tough and unpredictable player, he doubled up not once but three times in the first level. I locked horns with him all night, more than any other player! He was very active in nearly every pot, while I didn't see much cards in the early stages. I played aggressively using my position on him and tried to steal with what I had. I yo-yo-ed from 5k starting stack to 7.5k then back down to 2.5k before doubling up, and re-building back to a 9.5k stack by the time I arrived on the final table and tightened up my game.
Derek was on my immediate right as chipleader, that position proved valuable for me later in the game. I picked up QQ and AA and shoved both times, the AA hand knocked out two players and made me chipleader with 6 players left. But Derek being the devils advocate just keep chipping into me! My only regret was when we were 4 handed, I folded ace high to Derek's river shove only to be shown a 9 high bluff, after calling his raises all the way... Grrr!
Once the bubble had burst I quickly eliminated the 3rd player and faced Derek in a battle of wills showdown that last a good 40 mins... where he slowly took the chiplead from me before I levelled the play back to 50-50 with a well executed slow-played two pair. After this Derek offered to split 50-50 with him being declared the outright winner for league points, knowing I had my ticket secured plus €60 in cash, I agreed. Good game, great value for €35... if they increase the starting stack or bring in an early bird chip, I can see this become a regular fixture!
Bring on the €270 game on the 21st April... There will be a Lady on that final table boys!!!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
What's your best April Fool's?!
We have our monthly team meeting first Wednesday of every month. Today was no exception, there an long and heavy agenda to discuss.
I deliberately stayed quiet during the meeting (very unlike me, by the way!) especially in talks about future plans/projects etc. When asked for AOB everyone did their piece and the team leader started to wind the meeting down "...okay, that's it, right?"
I switched on my best poker face "Ahem! Hum, err, actually there's one more thing... I've got some, erm, bad news to announce." Cue shuffling of chairs as people sitting up straight to listen closely
"Well, erm, there's no easy way to say this ... but... I handed in my resignation to the Regional Manager yesterday. I'll be leaving the company on 30th April."
Cue audible gasps, shocked looks, sheer panic in some faces, confusion on others... Team Leader's face goes purple and her eyes budge maddeningly behind her glasses as I continue:
"I've been under a lot of pressure lately, I'm really finding it harder to juggle everything, I've also worked it out that I would actually be better off financially if I wasn't working... I'm really sorry guys!"
"But... but... WAIT a minute! What wasn't I informed... " The Team Leader injected then a smile appeared on her face as she scrabbles for her watch "Ah feck off Julianne! It's gone past noon, yeah... 1:13pm! No April Fools jokes allowed pass noon! Ha! Ha! Gaaawwwwd! You really had going me there! Get outta here you brat!!!"
LOL! Ah, it was soooo worth it for those 20 seconds just to see those faces: priceless!!!!
I deliberately stayed quiet during the meeting (very unlike me, by the way!) especially in talks about future plans/projects etc. When asked for AOB everyone did their piece and the team leader started to wind the meeting down "...okay, that's it, right?"
I switched on my best poker face "Ahem! Hum, err, actually there's one more thing... I've got some, erm, bad news to announce." Cue shuffling of chairs as people sitting up straight to listen closely
"Well, erm, there's no easy way to say this ... but... I handed in my resignation to the Regional Manager yesterday. I'll be leaving the company on 30th April."
Cue audible gasps, shocked looks, sheer panic in some faces, confusion on others... Team Leader's face goes purple and her eyes budge maddeningly behind her glasses as I continue:
"I've been under a lot of pressure lately, I'm really finding it harder to juggle everything, I've also worked it out that I would actually be better off financially if I wasn't working... I'm really sorry guys!"
"But... but... WAIT a minute! What wasn't I informed... " The Team Leader injected then a smile appeared on her face as she scrabbles for her watch "Ah feck off Julianne! It's gone past noon, yeah... 1:13pm! No April Fools jokes allowed pass noon! Ha! Ha! Gaaawwwwd! You really had going me there! Get outta here you brat!!!"
LOL! Ah, it was soooo worth it for those 20 seconds just to see those faces: priceless!!!!
Rigor Mortis Sunday
Last Sunday I made my way to the Jackpot for the team event, playing with Jamie Costello, Gary Clarke and James McManus as part of Team Poker Ireland. I think I must’ve used up more than my share of pokah-luck for the week, I only lasted one hour!!!
When I got my table, I realised pretty quickly that sitting in seat 9 I was at a disadvantage – I was unable to view the bulk of the action which was taking place among players 1-4. It didn’t help that I was totally stone-cold hand dead either, any decent playable-hands I got were OOP and only worth limping in with, I had to fold them to raises. And was glad I did, the amount of AA, KK, QQ, AQ & AK shown by other players was phenomenal! Several players developed big stacks pretty fast... I had nothing - 93, 10 2, J5, 72, 53, etc etc etc ... Just kept folding; folding; folding... not one ace card did I see, never mind KK or QQ! I found 10 10 on the button and raised 4xBB, BB called from seat 2, rest folded flop comes AKx. BB checks, I bet out a continuation bet, and he flat calls. Turn is Q. Again he checks – I bet ¾ of the pot and he flat-calls, checks the non-important river I had to check behind, he shows K with low kicker for better pair(!) WTF!
One more orbit later I’ve 66 in MP, flat call a raise (on AK) but folded to a re-raise (holding AA). Another orbit passes me by til I’m in SB again, I’m down to 3.5k half my starting stack when 3 new players join the table with good size stacks, and I’m surrounded by 15k++ plus stacks I had to get moving. Find JJ in SB, putting out a good size raise, limper in MP hums for a bit - I indicated that I was shoving, if anyone wants to re-raise me all-in. MP had just joined our table. He mulled for more than a minute (he had me covered 9-10 times over...FFS!) before calling with QQ. The queens stand and I’m gone... went looking for the lads, Jamie had just exited. James was still in hovering on an average stack and Gary was nowhere to be seen!
Great game, wonderful atmosphere, if only I had the cards to play! Well done to Boylesports team that won – Lisa C was on my table and caught several fine hands and doubled up not once but 3 times in that hour!
Played a bit of cash pre-game but got no luck there either... went over to the blackjack table and stormed it and won my buy-in and cash table losses back plus a little more! Fed up waiting for a new cash game to start in the Jackpot, Susie and Trisha were in the Fitz, I decided to head over join them there. Susie Woosie did really well splitting the tournament 3 ways for the better share! Plus we went to play some cash...
What a rollercoaster, starting off I had that table owned! And quickly raised 75 into 475 in no time at all... then came the sick beats, I was wiped out in three big pots, the last being the most memorable and the sickest! Limped in with A10 in MP, 2 callers behind me and button (loose calling station) calls too. SB, LAG who has been raising a lot with a wide range, makes it 12 to go. BB and the rest of the players call including me. Flop comes AA7... nice! SB bets 20, BB and 2 limpers fold, before I could think, button throws in 20. Dealer points out I’m still to act and I raise it to 60; button calls and SB folds. I put him on A rag, K7s/Q7s/J7... Turn is another 7, I bet out 100. Button calls. I’m thinking, its gonna be a split pot. 10 on the river had me excited that I’ve hit the better house and I shove for 200+. He insta-calls and shows 77 for quads (!) NH sir... Meh! Had enough went home via blackjack tables – no luck there!
That’s my degeneracy done for the week, me thinks!
When I got my table, I realised pretty quickly that sitting in seat 9 I was at a disadvantage – I was unable to view the bulk of the action which was taking place among players 1-4. It didn’t help that I was totally stone-cold hand dead either, any decent playable-hands I got were OOP and only worth limping in with, I had to fold them to raises. And was glad I did, the amount of AA, KK, QQ, AQ & AK shown by other players was phenomenal! Several players developed big stacks pretty fast... I had nothing - 93, 10 2, J5, 72, 53, etc etc etc ... Just kept folding; folding; folding... not one ace card did I see, never mind KK or QQ! I found 10 10 on the button and raised 4xBB, BB called from seat 2, rest folded flop comes AKx. BB checks, I bet out a continuation bet, and he flat calls. Turn is Q. Again he checks – I bet ¾ of the pot and he flat-calls, checks the non-important river I had to check behind, he shows K with low kicker for better pair(!) WTF!
One more orbit later I’ve 66 in MP, flat call a raise (on AK) but folded to a re-raise (holding AA). Another orbit passes me by til I’m in SB again, I’m down to 3.5k half my starting stack when 3 new players join the table with good size stacks, and I’m surrounded by 15k++ plus stacks I had to get moving. Find JJ in SB, putting out a good size raise, limper in MP hums for a bit - I indicated that I was shoving, if anyone wants to re-raise me all-in. MP had just joined our table. He mulled for more than a minute (he had me covered 9-10 times over...FFS!) before calling with QQ. The queens stand and I’m gone... went looking for the lads, Jamie had just exited. James was still in hovering on an average stack and Gary was nowhere to be seen!
Great game, wonderful atmosphere, if only I had the cards to play! Well done to Boylesports team that won – Lisa C was on my table and caught several fine hands and doubled up not once but 3 times in that hour!
Played a bit of cash pre-game but got no luck there either... went over to the blackjack table and stormed it and won my buy-in and cash table losses back plus a little more! Fed up waiting for a new cash game to start in the Jackpot, Susie and Trisha were in the Fitz, I decided to head over join them there. Susie Woosie did really well splitting the tournament 3 ways for the better share! Plus we went to play some cash...
What a rollercoaster, starting off I had that table owned! And quickly raised 75 into 475 in no time at all... then came the sick beats, I was wiped out in three big pots, the last being the most memorable and the sickest! Limped in with A10 in MP, 2 callers behind me and button (loose calling station) calls too. SB, LAG who has been raising a lot with a wide range, makes it 12 to go. BB and the rest of the players call including me. Flop comes AA7... nice! SB bets 20, BB and 2 limpers fold, before I could think, button throws in 20. Dealer points out I’m still to act and I raise it to 60; button calls and SB folds. I put him on A rag, K7s/Q7s/J7... Turn is another 7, I bet out 100. Button calls. I’m thinking, its gonna be a split pot. 10 on the river had me excited that I’ve hit the better house and I shove for 200+. He insta-calls and shows 77 for quads (!) NH sir... Meh! Had enough went home via blackjack tables – no luck there!
That’s my degeneracy done for the week, me thinks!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Hat Trick!
I asked Robbie last night if anyone ever took down 3 or more of the DPN games in the same week before... he said no. Told him I was aiming to achieve that, ‘going for a hat trick tonight’ he smiled and nodded demurely, I’m sure he thought I was just being arrogant!
DPN games are usually bingo poker at the best of times; decent enough stacks (7-8k) with turbo 15 min blinds, which leads to all sorts of play as the games are limited by pub opening hours and the constant supply of alcohol that renders the best players inebriate enough to make questionable decisions. The Dunboyne game is an exception – the standard is higher, but this might be due to the deepstack longer blind structure, unlimited time, dealer dealt etc.
As reported previously, I took down the Hartstown game last Monday by steamrolling the players welding a mighty stack from 2 tables out. The Clonsilla game was a different kettle of fish altogether. I started the final table with just 8.5k getting the lucky draw of the button as the shortest stack with blinds 800/1500. I was playing tight. After a few hands we were 6-headed with only 4 cash prizes being paid when two bigger stacks shoved aipf. Finding AJ suited I had a dizzy moment when I considering shoving, but reckoned I was wiser to fold to safeguard a cash place for myself... as the players turned over QJs and QJo and split for a high card on a J high flop, I was mentally kicking myself, having showing another player my cards he told me off after the action for folding. But if you gave me that decision all over again I would have still folded them again... On the button shortly after with 5k, looked down and found QQ and shoved, three callers, and my girls held up. Shorty UTG Shoved as I was in CO-1 and I called with AK , gave me the double-up I needed to survive one more orbit seeing nothing of note .... Once the bubble had burst I decided I was shoving with any two, pokah gods dealt me another QQ and I went from shortie to chipleader with 3 players left.
Two hands later and I was HU with Shay, sitting on 130k+ to his 40k approx stack, Shay asked to split and I had to refuse him, felt awful as he always splits at this stage regardless of stacks etc. But Shay kicked me out twice with sick beats in the past month I wasn’t letting this one go! It only took one hand A3s to his K8o... and the board read out 4x5K2... and I was €420 richer. GG!
On Friday I had an accident in my car (my fault-no one else involved) but the damage is gonna cost me some to repair... Susie suggested the Dunboyne game and I in full agreement! It was either that or 3 bottles of wine or worse a bottle of whiskey (!) LOL!
There were barely 18 players, a drop in numbers. Several of the regular faces weren’t there, on my table I had several new faces – and apart from one guy, it was a table of good/strong players. I had a tough seat with Paul S to my left, and Jam-Tighty-McTight to my right. To Paul S’s right was a player that kept breaking off my raises and dogging me. Gonna be tough to earn any chips at this table... I rode a rollercoaster game up and down between 13k and 8k.
Just before we moved to the final table, I was languishing on 9k when I found 33 in CO and decided to shove. I had Paul S covered and was only concerned with the Dogger on Paul’s right, who had lost a big pot a hand before and was down to 12k approx. I expected him to knuckle down and preserve his chips but no, he called.... and tables 66(!) Flop comes J 3 10 saving my skin... and earning me a place on the final table with 20k. Blinds were going up to 800/1.5k so I was still in ‘all-in or fold’ mode. Finding 77 in mid-position in the first hand, I raised to 3000. Action folded back to Susie Woosie (chipleader) in BB, she re-pops for 10k. I thought for a moment and think she looks too comfortable and folded, she shows AA... phew!
One orbit later, I’m hand dead and in BB when Susie goes all-in, she’s lost a few chips at this stage and wasn’t looking too comfortable... I lifted my cards high expecting to show/fold them and pass her my chips when I see AKs... there’s a James McManus-look-a-like beside me and a eastern European to his right, both utter a collective gasp and one of them said “you can’t fold that... you gotta call...” I knew if I folded people would suspect collusion, and I called. Susie groans when she sees my cards “oh you are miles, miles ahead!” she retorted turning over K9o. K on the flop and A on the river saw the chips coming to me, and I was back in the game.
There was a loose cannon in a beanie hat on the table, he was yo-yo’ing all over the place. Not wanting to wrangle in a pot with him, I stayed tight to the end even folded A9 to allow him to push the other players out, I didn’t even get the glory of knocking him out... we were down to 3 when I found that A9, I was on 91k, the other two were on 53k each, blinds were 3k/6k. Beanie and Jam-TT were still in with me. Jam-TT raises to 18k, I am in SB and I fold... Beanie completes then checkraises all-in after the flop. Jam-TT calls and his hand (can’t remember it!) holds... and I’m HU with Jan-TT.
Didn’t last long, Jan just eyed my stack and offered to split 50-50... I thought for a minute, looked at Susie who was railing me. “He’s got more than you now...” she signed “only by 20 odd” I replied. I looked at Robbie who was dealing, asked him for the figures... €350 each, €70 off the top. Ah what the hell! I put out my hand and agreed to take 50-50. So I guess I could claim the hat-trick ‘Maddog style’! GG
Leaving a tip for the dealer, I went over to the cash table, where people were getting up and walking away in despair. Paul S son was holding court on one side with over €600 in chips in front of him... Unlike Paul S, his son is not the good player he thinks he is... he’s all Vegas this and Vegas that... really annoying fecker! I put 50 down but he had €40 off me with 82off to my A high. Adding another 20 I doubled it up to €80 in next hand. Found A5 in BB and checked 4 callers to see flop... 437 ... hmm okay. Action checks around to Mr Vegas and he bets €16, I call, as do the other two players. Turn is 8, one player goes all-in for 15, Mr Vegas makes it 33, smelling a rat I called, needing any 2 or 6 to complete. As Graham deals the 2 I just shoved out of turn. Mr Vegas starts to grip about this saying it was not appropoiate etc. Graham points out that I was not folding ‘the pot odds are too great’. I nodded and Mr Vegan looks at me and says yeah... I’ll call. All-in shows 76o, Mr Vegas shows 108o and I table my A5 for a €240 pot!
LOL! Guess I got my car damage paid for now!
I’m playing the team event in the Jackpot tomorrow, last minute request... here’s hoping my hot run continues!
DPN games are usually bingo poker at the best of times; decent enough stacks (7-8k) with turbo 15 min blinds, which leads to all sorts of play as the games are limited by pub opening hours and the constant supply of alcohol that renders the best players inebriate enough to make questionable decisions. The Dunboyne game is an exception – the standard is higher, but this might be due to the deepstack longer blind structure, unlimited time, dealer dealt etc.
As reported previously, I took down the Hartstown game last Monday by steamrolling the players welding a mighty stack from 2 tables out. The Clonsilla game was a different kettle of fish altogether. I started the final table with just 8.5k getting the lucky draw of the button as the shortest stack with blinds 800/1500. I was playing tight. After a few hands we were 6-headed with only 4 cash prizes being paid when two bigger stacks shoved aipf. Finding AJ suited I had a dizzy moment when I considering shoving, but reckoned I was wiser to fold to safeguard a cash place for myself... as the players turned over QJs and QJo and split for a high card on a J high flop, I was mentally kicking myself, having showing another player my cards he told me off after the action for folding. But if you gave me that decision all over again I would have still folded them again... On the button shortly after with 5k, looked down and found QQ and shoved, three callers, and my girls held up. Shorty UTG Shoved as I was in CO-1 and I called with AK , gave me the double-up I needed to survive one more orbit seeing nothing of note .... Once the bubble had burst I decided I was shoving with any two, pokah gods dealt me another QQ and I went from shortie to chipleader with 3 players left.
Two hands later and I was HU with Shay, sitting on 130k+ to his 40k approx stack, Shay asked to split and I had to refuse him, felt awful as he always splits at this stage regardless of stacks etc. But Shay kicked me out twice with sick beats in the past month I wasn’t letting this one go! It only took one hand A3s to his K8o... and the board read out 4x5K2... and I was €420 richer. GG!
On Friday I had an accident in my car (my fault-no one else involved) but the damage is gonna cost me some to repair... Susie suggested the Dunboyne game and I in full agreement! It was either that or 3 bottles of wine or worse a bottle of whiskey (!) LOL!
There were barely 18 players, a drop in numbers. Several of the regular faces weren’t there, on my table I had several new faces – and apart from one guy, it was a table of good/strong players. I had a tough seat with Paul S to my left, and Jam-Tighty-McTight to my right. To Paul S’s right was a player that kept breaking off my raises and dogging me. Gonna be tough to earn any chips at this table... I rode a rollercoaster game up and down between 13k and 8k.
Just before we moved to the final table, I was languishing on 9k when I found 33 in CO and decided to shove. I had Paul S covered and was only concerned with the Dogger on Paul’s right, who had lost a big pot a hand before and was down to 12k approx. I expected him to knuckle down and preserve his chips but no, he called.... and tables 66(!) Flop comes J 3 10 saving my skin... and earning me a place on the final table with 20k. Blinds were going up to 800/1.5k so I was still in ‘all-in or fold’ mode. Finding 77 in mid-position in the first hand, I raised to 3000. Action folded back to Susie Woosie (chipleader) in BB, she re-pops for 10k. I thought for a moment and think she looks too comfortable and folded, she shows AA... phew!
One orbit later, I’m hand dead and in BB when Susie goes all-in, she’s lost a few chips at this stage and wasn’t looking too comfortable... I lifted my cards high expecting to show/fold them and pass her my chips when I see AKs... there’s a James McManus-look-a-like beside me and a eastern European to his right, both utter a collective gasp and one of them said “you can’t fold that... you gotta call...” I knew if I folded people would suspect collusion, and I called. Susie groans when she sees my cards “oh you are miles, miles ahead!” she retorted turning over K9o. K on the flop and A on the river saw the chips coming to me, and I was back in the game.
There was a loose cannon in a beanie hat on the table, he was yo-yo’ing all over the place. Not wanting to wrangle in a pot with him, I stayed tight to the end even folded A9 to allow him to push the other players out, I didn’t even get the glory of knocking him out... we were down to 3 when I found that A9, I was on 91k, the other two were on 53k each, blinds were 3k/6k. Beanie and Jam-TT were still in with me. Jam-TT raises to 18k, I am in SB and I fold... Beanie completes then checkraises all-in after the flop. Jam-TT calls and his hand (can’t remember it!) holds... and I’m HU with Jan-TT.
Didn’t last long, Jan just eyed my stack and offered to split 50-50... I thought for a minute, looked at Susie who was railing me. “He’s got more than you now...” she signed “only by 20 odd” I replied. I looked at Robbie who was dealing, asked him for the figures... €350 each, €70 off the top. Ah what the hell! I put out my hand and agreed to take 50-50. So I guess I could claim the hat-trick ‘Maddog style’! GG
Leaving a tip for the dealer, I went over to the cash table, where people were getting up and walking away in despair. Paul S son was holding court on one side with over €600 in chips in front of him... Unlike Paul S, his son is not the good player he thinks he is... he’s all Vegas this and Vegas that... really annoying fecker! I put 50 down but he had €40 off me with 82off to my A high. Adding another 20 I doubled it up to €80 in next hand. Found A5 in BB and checked 4 callers to see flop... 437 ... hmm okay. Action checks around to Mr Vegas and he bets €16, I call, as do the other two players. Turn is 8, one player goes all-in for 15, Mr Vegas makes it 33, smelling a rat I called, needing any 2 or 6 to complete. As Graham deals the 2 I just shoved out of turn. Mr Vegas starts to grip about this saying it was not appropoiate etc. Graham points out that I was not folding ‘the pot odds are too great’. I nodded and Mr Vegan looks at me and says yeah... I’ll call. All-in shows 76o, Mr Vegas shows 108o and I table my A5 for a €240 pot!
LOL! Guess I got my car damage paid for now!
I’m playing the team event in the Jackpot tomorrow, last minute request... here’s hoping my hot run continues!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Bingo Poker Weekend!
I should moan more... the pokah gods must've been listening to me last week!!!
I skipped the Dunboyne game, turned down a dealing job, to stay in on Friday night and rest for the Irish Ladies Poker Championship next day.
Met up with the IDP ladies for breakfast before heading to the Plaza for the game... Was disgusted to find Stephen had positioned me to Susie Woosie's right! Grrrrrr! She's not someone I want to have position on me, we even got to locked horns Dunne-style in a couple of pots.
I had resolved to play tighty-mctight, perhaps not a good strategy from observing the general low standard of play. I regret folding some key hands that I would have won.... ah well.
First hand I actually played was KK, I was in CO with 3 limpers, Susie and the blinds to act. Really hate getting hands like this at first.. I raised to 350 (blinds 25/50) and got no less than 5 callers! Susie folded. Flop came 223 two diamonds, SB bet out 500, BB called the 3 limpers folded. I didn't like this flop, but flat called. Turn brought the diamond, SB bet out 1k, BB mini-raised to 2k. I knew I was in trouble and folded. SB called and river was 2. Hmmmm, before I could feel any regret, SB bet out 3k and BB looked at her warily before calling I was astounded to see SB table AA for the house and BB holding Ad10d. Phew! Just as well she didn't re-raise me! After that I didn't get another decent hand for a few orbits, We were being bullied by the ever-increasing-stack of two maniac LAGs who where literally playing with any two. I had to start moving and made a few raises and shoved on the re-raises with the maniacs just winning small pots etc. Attempted a bluff holding 45s in BB (which I checked); flop came A39, I bet out 2/3 of the pot and got flat called by the chipleader. Turn was 6 giving me a nice edge with OESD. I bet out half the pot got flat called by CL; river was A. Damn! I missed my outs... not wanting to cede the pot I put out a decent sized c-bet, but she still called me. Expecting to see an ace, but nope, she tables 98off and I mucked. WTF!!!? That left me with barely 10k.
After that hand. the CL kept betting into my blinds and snapping off any raises I made. I ignored her and played solidly re-building my stack up to 25k then got gutted by another maniac on 18k who just couldn't lay down her 66 hand against an AIPF's JJ and my AQ seeing Q77 flop, I shoved - she insta-called only to hit her house on the turn(!) Meh! Clawing my way back up with a few double-ups I was still under average on 13k when I found AK in MP and raised 3xBB, Button shoved; I just had to make that crying call to see her table AA which held up. I had her covered by 700 - knew I wouldn't last long with 500/1k blinds coming towards me, I shoved on the first picture card I saw (Kc5c) Sharon G raised in SB with K10 to push out BB who dutifully folded. 2 clubs on the board gave me a glimmer of hope but the non-club 10 river sealed my fate and I was out in 17th place. Maeve did really well to hang on til 18th, it was her first tournament outside the IDP circuit and she loved it...WP girl! Susie got moved to a mental table full of LAGs but eventually lost her race to exit in 26th place. Abi (aka IMFT - she took JeFoy's ticket) found the pace and the dire standard on her table a bit outside her league - she was grateful to exit in 33rd place. The 66-Maniac ended up heads-up spliting 50-50 with the eventual title winner. Apart from thr dire standard it was good fun, and hilarious at times! It was lovely to meet up with Trishakids, Gillcarr72 and other familiar faces.
I went straight to the bar for food with the IDP girls and watched the last 20-30 mins of the Ireland Grand Slam match, what a game! Didn't we do well?!!! Went back in to rail the final table and play some cash. The cash table was 4/5 handed and difficult to master with Sharon G's partner welding a €400 stack against us 'shorties'... I kept losing my bets til one big pot put me back on up with €25 profit, so I decided to quit while I was ahead! We headed into Buskers to meet up with friends and watch the fight, when Bernard Dunne took down the title the roof nearly went off the place and the drinks went flying in all the excitement, even hitting one of the TV screens but surprisingly no damage done!
Went to the Fitz afterwards with Susie, sat down on the cash table, put €150 on the table and got up with €650. Happy days!!! The biggest pot was holding JJ on a KQ9 rainbow board hitting my straight with a beautiful 10 on the river! There was 4 players in the pot - two ATC drunk players and one Asian LAG, all calling one of the drunks outlandish bets. We learned early on that these ATC drunks were pure value so neither I nor the Asian was folding! On the river I was first to act and went all-in with my last 100, and they all folded. Tommy was on the table roaring "ya, she had the straight from the word GO!" then muttered to me "Go home! There's no more money on this for you to win!" he was right everyone had 100 or less... so I tipped the dealer and got up to leave at 5:30am. What a nice start to Mothers Day!
I had a really lovely mothers day with the kids, my sister and her family and our mum in Newbridge House. Donabate. The weather was dry and mild - the farm and the playground kept them happy for hours; we finished it off with a lovely meal in Skerries overlooking the Marina and didn't get home til 8:45pm. Too late for the Bell game...
On Monday night I was in one hell of a mood, I fancied the distraction of a game so went off to DPN's Hartstown €60FO and took it down for €500... the lads are so loose and aggressive, its not rare to have 4k pots in the first two levels, bingo-poker at its best! LOL! You need your wits not to be pushed off pots and go with your inner gut feeling. With the mood I was in, I played an aggressive game playing more hands than I normally do. And it paid off... Just wish I could bottle it!!!
I got criticised for making one 'dubious' call. Two shorties all-in pre-flop (we are down to two tables 7 on each) I'm table chipleader in BB I have 21BBs and the highest bet was 7BBs; looking down to see A10 I called... Derek on 2.8k turns over AK, other guy on 7k turns over JJ (my read on him is 'uber loose', he limps in with any two hoping to see the flop cheap and then bets big when he hits. Here I'm putting him on any pair 55+, any ace, QJs, KQ-K10s), board reads A high. Derek triples up and I get the rest... then the JJ player loses it with me ranting "that's a DREADFUL call... that was a really BAD call... I NEVER play A10 like THAT!" (bit rich when you play 69off and K2 off yourself mister!) Other players are tutting and agreeing with him, as Graham comes over. I'm defending my decision explaining pot odds, I was in BB, I had the chips, it was an opportunity to eliminate at least one player etc etc etc) The discordant voices are getting louder when Graham asked what happened, Derek gives him the run down. Graham nods "Actually... that was a good call. She was getting 3 to 1 for her money. Yep... Well played!" Everyone goes quiet. JJ storms off in disgust!
Amazing how they all look down on the woman player but one man praises the move and it's aaaaaaawwwwwrioght(!)
I got snapped at for encouraging Benny in BB to call a shortie's (in CO) all in with <2.5 times the BB. Benny calls and tables 93s, Shortie has K8o. Shortie scoffs at him "WTF are you calling with that muck for?!" I spoke up saying I'd have done the very same, there was no one else in the pot FFS! Benny was 3rd chipleader, he had no folding equity plus was 40-60 to win by calling with any two! I pointed out that he wasn't under pressure to push as he had 6 more cards to see before the blinds reached him... Board reads xx9x9 and shortie storms off calling Benny a 'F@*king donk!' and how 'clueless some players are about poker!' LOL!
Well that cluelessness helped me to take it down so don't knock it!
Ended up 4 handed with Benny, Lucinda and Paul S. Paul and Lucinda were short stacked, with both Benny and myself leading. I kept shoving and they all kept folding, increasing my chiplead. The blinds were 8k/15k when Benny decided to shove with J9 into my AQ, not a good move with Lucinda all-in next hand for 2nd time - and facing 4th place exit... Instead poor Benny was out in 4th, Lucinda who didn't play one pot on the final table exited in 3rd and I faced Paul S for Heads Up. "Wanna Split?" he asked cheekily eyeing my 110k+ stack then looking at his own 20k... I laughed. I kept going all-in, he doubled up on the first one, we split the second pot and eventually 3rd time lucky I had his J5o well whipped by my A9s. GG.
In the space of one weekend I'm almost back in the black... These wins tend to happen in three's so I'm due one more soon! Hmmmm? Me thinks the downswing is well and truly on the way UP!
Long may it last!
I skipped the Dunboyne game, turned down a dealing job, to stay in on Friday night and rest for the Irish Ladies Poker Championship next day.
Met up with the IDP ladies for breakfast before heading to the Plaza for the game... Was disgusted to find Stephen had positioned me to Susie Woosie's right! Grrrrrr! She's not someone I want to have position on me, we even got to locked horns Dunne-style in a couple of pots.
I had resolved to play tighty-mctight, perhaps not a good strategy from observing the general low standard of play. I regret folding some key hands that I would have won.... ah well.
First hand I actually played was KK, I was in CO with 3 limpers, Susie and the blinds to act. Really hate getting hands like this at first.. I raised to 350 (blinds 25/50) and got no less than 5 callers! Susie folded. Flop came 223 two diamonds, SB bet out 500, BB called the 3 limpers folded. I didn't like this flop, but flat called. Turn brought the diamond, SB bet out 1k, BB mini-raised to 2k. I knew I was in trouble and folded. SB called and river was 2. Hmmmm, before I could feel any regret, SB bet out 3k and BB looked at her warily before calling I was astounded to see SB table AA for the house and BB holding Ad10d. Phew! Just as well she didn't re-raise me! After that I didn't get another decent hand for a few orbits, We were being bullied by the ever-increasing-stack of two maniac LAGs who where literally playing with any two. I had to start moving and made a few raises and shoved on the re-raises with the maniacs just winning small pots etc. Attempted a bluff holding 45s in BB (which I checked); flop came A39, I bet out 2/3 of the pot and got flat called by the chipleader. Turn was 6 giving me a nice edge with OESD. I bet out half the pot got flat called by CL; river was A. Damn! I missed my outs... not wanting to cede the pot I put out a decent sized c-bet, but she still called me. Expecting to see an ace, but nope, she tables 98off and I mucked. WTF!!!? That left me with barely 10k.
After that hand. the CL kept betting into my blinds and snapping off any raises I made. I ignored her and played solidly re-building my stack up to 25k then got gutted by another maniac on 18k who just couldn't lay down her 66 hand against an AIPF's JJ and my AQ seeing Q77 flop, I shoved - she insta-called only to hit her house on the turn(!) Meh! Clawing my way back up with a few double-ups I was still under average on 13k when I found AK in MP and raised 3xBB, Button shoved; I just had to make that crying call to see her table AA which held up. I had her covered by 700 - knew I wouldn't last long with 500/1k blinds coming towards me, I shoved on the first picture card I saw (Kc5c) Sharon G raised in SB with K10 to push out BB who dutifully folded. 2 clubs on the board gave me a glimmer of hope but the non-club 10 river sealed my fate and I was out in 17th place. Maeve did really well to hang on til 18th, it was her first tournament outside the IDP circuit and she loved it...WP girl! Susie got moved to a mental table full of LAGs but eventually lost her race to exit in 26th place. Abi (aka IMFT - she took JeFoy's ticket) found the pace and the dire standard on her table a bit outside her league - she was grateful to exit in 33rd place. The 66-Maniac ended up heads-up spliting 50-50 with the eventual title winner. Apart from thr dire standard it was good fun, and hilarious at times! It was lovely to meet up with Trishakids, Gillcarr72 and other familiar faces.
I went straight to the bar for food with the IDP girls and watched the last 20-30 mins of the Ireland Grand Slam match, what a game! Didn't we do well?!!! Went back in to rail the final table and play some cash. The cash table was 4/5 handed and difficult to master with Sharon G's partner welding a €400 stack against us 'shorties'... I kept losing my bets til one big pot put me back on up with €25 profit, so I decided to quit while I was ahead! We headed into Buskers to meet up with friends and watch the fight, when Bernard Dunne took down the title the roof nearly went off the place and the drinks went flying in all the excitement, even hitting one of the TV screens but surprisingly no damage done!
Went to the Fitz afterwards with Susie, sat down on the cash table, put €150 on the table and got up with €650. Happy days!!! The biggest pot was holding JJ on a KQ9 rainbow board hitting my straight with a beautiful 10 on the river! There was 4 players in the pot - two ATC drunk players and one Asian LAG, all calling one of the drunks outlandish bets. We learned early on that these ATC drunks were pure value so neither I nor the Asian was folding! On the river I was first to act and went all-in with my last 100, and they all folded. Tommy was on the table roaring "ya, she had the straight from the word GO!" then muttered to me "Go home! There's no more money on this for you to win!" he was right everyone had 100 or less... so I tipped the dealer and got up to leave at 5:30am. What a nice start to Mothers Day!
I had a really lovely mothers day with the kids, my sister and her family and our mum in Newbridge House. Donabate. The weather was dry and mild - the farm and the playground kept them happy for hours; we finished it off with a lovely meal in Skerries overlooking the Marina and didn't get home til 8:45pm. Too late for the Bell game...
On Monday night I was in one hell of a mood, I fancied the distraction of a game so went off to DPN's Hartstown €60FO and took it down for €500... the lads are so loose and aggressive, its not rare to have 4k pots in the first two levels, bingo-poker at its best! LOL! You need your wits not to be pushed off pots and go with your inner gut feeling. With the mood I was in, I played an aggressive game playing more hands than I normally do. And it paid off... Just wish I could bottle it!!!
I got criticised for making one 'dubious' call. Two shorties all-in pre-flop (we are down to two tables 7 on each) I'm table chipleader in BB I have 21BBs and the highest bet was 7BBs; looking down to see A10 I called... Derek on 2.8k turns over AK, other guy on 7k turns over JJ (my read on him is 'uber loose', he limps in with any two hoping to see the flop cheap and then bets big when he hits. Here I'm putting him on any pair 55+, any ace, QJs, KQ-K10s), board reads A high. Derek triples up and I get the rest... then the JJ player loses it with me ranting "that's a DREADFUL call... that was a really BAD call... I NEVER play A10 like THAT!" (bit rich when you play 69off and K2 off yourself mister!) Other players are tutting and agreeing with him, as Graham comes over. I'm defending my decision explaining pot odds, I was in BB, I had the chips, it was an opportunity to eliminate at least one player etc etc etc) The discordant voices are getting louder when Graham asked what happened, Derek gives him the run down. Graham nods "Actually... that was a good call. She was getting 3 to 1 for her money. Yep... Well played!" Everyone goes quiet. JJ storms off in disgust!
Amazing how they all look down on the woman player but one man praises the move and it's aaaaaaawwwwwrioght(!)
I got snapped at for encouraging Benny in BB to call a shortie's (in CO) all in with <2.5 times the BB. Benny calls and tables 93s, Shortie has K8o. Shortie scoffs at him "WTF are you calling with that muck for?!" I spoke up saying I'd have done the very same, there was no one else in the pot FFS! Benny was 3rd chipleader, he had no folding equity plus was 40-60 to win by calling with any two! I pointed out that he wasn't under pressure to push as he had 6 more cards to see before the blinds reached him... Board reads xx9x9 and shortie storms off calling Benny a 'F@*king donk!' and how 'clueless some players are about poker!' LOL!
Well that cluelessness helped me to take it down so don't knock it!
Ended up 4 handed with Benny, Lucinda and Paul S. Paul and Lucinda were short stacked, with both Benny and myself leading. I kept shoving and they all kept folding, increasing my chiplead. The blinds were 8k/15k when Benny decided to shove with J9 into my AQ, not a good move with Lucinda all-in next hand for 2nd time - and facing 4th place exit... Instead poor Benny was out in 4th, Lucinda who didn't play one pot on the final table exited in 3rd and I faced Paul S for Heads Up. "Wanna Split?" he asked cheekily eyeing my 110k+ stack then looking at his own 20k... I laughed. I kept going all-in, he doubled up on the first one, we split the second pot and eventually 3rd time lucky I had his J5o well whipped by my A9s. GG.
In the space of one weekend I'm almost back in the black... These wins tend to happen in three's so I'm due one more soon! Hmmmm? Me thinks the downswing is well and truly on the way UP!
Long may it last!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
On a massive downswing...
Poker sucks right now.
I don't know where to begin... but let's say I'm just not winning lately. A mixture of bad beats, grrr-on-tilt-play and yeah... some crappy hands that I just shudda/cudda/wuddn'ta fold. I didn't have the heart to keep posting about losing here... it may work well for Doke, but not moi!
Ah, let me backtrack a little: I did win 'something' a ticket to the Ladies Poker Championship in the Crowne Plaza on Saturday 21st March. First time I ever won a satt. Disappointing numbers aside, its shaping up to be a good game with a few of the IDP ladies playing... I'm still trying to persuade the rest to come! They've never played outside the IDP circuit/home games before so this would be a great experience for them. Here's hoping one of us goes deeeeeep! It will be fun putting a face to all the Boardies/Facebook crowd too...
Stephen/Poker Ireland always puts on a good game, he's promised to increase the stacks/blinds so I'm just looking forward to having a good day of playing poker for just €10! Anything else that comes out of it will be a bonus... Bring it on!
I don't know where to begin... but let's say I'm just not winning lately. A mixture of bad beats, grrr-on-tilt-play and yeah... some crappy hands that I just shudda/cudda/wuddn'ta fold. I didn't have the heart to keep posting about losing here... it may work well for Doke, but not moi!
Ah, let me backtrack a little: I did win 'something' a ticket to the Ladies Poker Championship in the Crowne Plaza on Saturday 21st March. First time I ever won a satt. Disappointing numbers aside, its shaping up to be a good game with a few of the IDP ladies playing... I'm still trying to persuade the rest to come! They've never played outside the IDP circuit/home games before so this would be a great experience for them. Here's hoping one of us goes deeeeeep! It will be fun putting a face to all the Boardies/Facebook crowd too...
Stephen/Poker Ireland always puts on a good game, he's promised to increase the stacks/blinds so I'm just looking forward to having a good day of playing poker for just €10! Anything else that comes out of it will be a bonus... Bring it on!
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