New Year's Resolutions

I've got myself a place in the 2009 London Marathon, so I guess my first resolution is to be able to run for more than my current maximum distance of six miles. That six miles was about ten years ago and three stones in weight. By chance it was before I discovered poker too!

I've got about four months to be able to run at least twelve miles - that's a realistic target without killing myself. I intend to run a mile and walk a mile on Marathon day, as I'm not mad.

My poker resolution is to be in profit and enjoy it. I hope to get to Vegas to play in some $100 - 200 events at Ceasars, and make a final table for a healthy score.

That's it. I don't smoke and I'll never stop drinking or being a fatty.

Home Game Action

I had another low level home game last night, eight players of varying abilities and financial situations. With that in mind we had a bit of very low limit cash poker and four five pound double chance tournaments. The double chance made the new players feel as though they get more value for their fiver so it was popular.

I continued my rise to fortune by winning one tourney, coming second in two and 5th in the last one for a profit of 24 quid. The wife made a profit of ten quid and a bit of cash so, despite the fact that one of the guests drunk all my Spitfire, I still came out on top. Wooo!

Profit / (Loss) - Both live and online
Cash - $631
Single Tables - $1315
Multi Tables - ($913)
Total - $1033

Another Empire Hairy One

After last month's debacle I was considering not going back for this ultra fast rebuy. It was looking bad after I'd played pocket tens like a fish and had another rebuy soon after. I doubled up near the break, then needed to hit a ten only on the river to chop a pot that I couldn't win. I hit it and then held on until the final when I went down to half a big blind, picked up aces and went on a major run to take the chip lead with three left.

It was such a crapshoot by that time that I was chip leader with 25k with the blinds at 5k and 10k! I was crippled with with AJo to the monster 63o, all in preflop and of course he flopped a straight. I cashed for 240 quid which, after expenses was 168 in profit for the night. Not too shabby!

Profit / (Loss) - Both live and online
Cash - $631
Single Tables - $1315
Multi Tables - ($966)
Total - $980

A Mildly Profitable Night

I couldn't satellite into any biggish tourneys last night so I played a few coolers on PKR and Virgin. I'm going off Virgin as my results have been average recently, but I'm still loving PKR. The graphics and the setup really suits me. I played two $22 Coolers against tough opponents and 'won' them both for a profit of $36, and I won a couple of 5 Euro Virgin coolers too. I lost some small heads up games and a 3 Euro rebuy so I was only $35 up for the night. Not retirement stuff but any profit is very welcome. I'm hoping to get down the Empire at some point this week for some hairy smelly action.

Profit / (Loss) - Both live and online
Cash - $631
Single Tables - $1315
Multi Tables - ($1320)
Total - $ 626

Big Online Night Tonight

The wife is out on her Christmas do so I'm going for a big tournament night tonight. I intend to play two MTTs on Virgin and PKR, some heads up matches and some SNGs thrown in when(if) I bust out. I'm simplifying my profit/loss record as I'm too lazy to update it all the time.

Profit / (Loss) - Both live and online
Cash - $631
Single Tables - $1274
Multi Tables - ($1314)
Total - $ 591

Should We Tip The Dealers?

JOE All right. I'll take care of the check. You guys can get the tip. Should be about a buck a piece. And you, when I come back, I want my book.

MR. WHITE Sorry. It's my book now.

JOE Hey, I changed my mind. Shoot this piece of shit, will you?
(They laugh.)

EDDIE All right. Everybody cough up some green for the little lady.
Come on. Throw in a buck.

MR. PINK Uh-uh. I don't tip.

EDDIE You don't tip?

MR. PINK No - I don't believe in it.

EDDIE You don't believe in tipping?

MR. BLUE You know what these chicks make? They make shit.

MR. PINK Don't give me that. She don't make enough money, she can quit.
(Mr. Blonde laughs.)

EDDIE I don't even know a fucking Jew who'd have the balls to say that. Let me just get this straight. You don't ever tip, huh?

MR. PINK I don't tip because society says I have to. Alright, I mean I'll tip if somebody really deserves a tip, if they really put forth the effort, I'll give 'em something extra, but I mean this tipping automatically is for the birds.
(Eddie laughs.)
I mean as far as I'm concerned they're just doing their job.

MR. BLUE Hey, this girl was nice.

MR. PINK She was OK - but she wasn't anything special.

MR. BLUE What's special, take you in the back and suck your dick?
(They laugh.)

EDDIE I'd go over 12% for that.

MR. PINK Hey Look, I ordered coffee, right? Now we've been here a long fuckin time, and she's only filled my cup three times. When I order coffee, I want it filled six times

MR. BLONDE Six times? Well, you know, what if she's too fucking busy?

MR. PINK Words "too fucking busy" shouldn't be in a waitress' vocabulary.

EDDIE Excuse me, Mr. Pink - the last fucking thing you need's another cup of coffee.

MR. PINK Jesus Christ - I mean these ladies aren't starving to death. They make minimum wage. You know, I used to work minimum wage. And when I did, I wasn't lucky enough to have a job society deemed tip-worthy.

MR. BLUE You don't care they're counting on your tips to live?
(Mr. Pink rubs two of his fingers together.)

MR. PINK You know what this is? It's the world's smallest violin playing just for the waitresses.

MR. WHITE You don't have any idea what you're talking about. These people bust their ass. This is a hard job.

MR. PINK So's working at McDonald's, but you don't feel the need to tip them, do you? Why not? They're servin ya food. But no, society says don't tip these guys over here, but tip these guys over here. That's bullshit.

MR. WHITE Waitressing is the number one occupation for female noncollege graduates in this country. It's the one job basically any woman can get and make a living on. The reason is because of their tips.

MR. PINK (pauses) Fuck all that.
(They all laugh.)

MR. BROWN Jesus Christ!

MR. PINK Hey, I'm very sorry that the government taxes their tips. That's fucked up. That ain't my fault. It would appear that waitresses are just one of the many groups the government fucks in the ass on a regular basis. You show me a paper says the government shouldn't do that, I'll sign it. Put it to a vote, I'll vote for it. But what I won't do is play ball. And this non-college bullshit you're giving me, I got two words for that: "Learn to fuckin type." Cause if you're expecting me to help out with the rent, you're in for a big fuckin' surprise.

MR. ORANGE Hey - he's convinced me. Give me my dollar back.

EDDIE Hey! Leave the dollars there.

JOE All right, ramblers, let's get ramblin'. Wait a minute. Who didn't throw in?

MR. ORANGE Mr. Pink.

JOE Mr. Pink? Why not?

MR. ORANGE He don't tip.

JOE He don't tip? What do you mean you don't tip?

MR. ORANGE He don't believe in it.

JOE Shut up. What do you mean you don't believe in it? Come on, you, cough up a buck, you cheap bastard. I paid for your goddamn breakfast.

MR. PINK Alright - since you paid for the breakfast, I'll put in, but normally I would never do this.

JOE Never mind what you normally would do. Just cough in your goddamn buck like everybody else. Thank you.


I rest my case.........

Another Empire Hairy Crapshoot

I've gone and done it, tried the hairy crapshoot again and had a diffucult tournament. I played two hands, they being AQ and AK, banged my chips in both times, got called by 22 and 44, lost both times to sets (even though they didn't need them), then got the train home. Not much to write about but I'll have a go.

The players at The Empire crapshoot are so bad it hurts. Now I like playing against bad players, but this lot think they know it all because they saw some poker on TV once. No one could shuffle or deal last night so a bloke said he would do it as he had dealt before. I could have done it but all that work for no tips? No way. So the 'dealer' starts off with a mis deal and proceeds to start a long conversation in Russian with the pig sitting opposite him (they've really relaxed the membership requirements at the Empire). Good start. Later on a player makes a call, someone goes all in and the limper finds he has no cards. The 'dealer' has taken his cards and mucked them as he hasn't protected them, the limper then takes his bet back as he has no cards! I sit there in despair but I'm not in the hand so I keep quiet. It's not good for blood pressure getting involved.....
To cut a long story short I was almost glad to get busted out. That's probably the worst 60 quid I've ever spent.....

A Truly Miserable Week.

I promise I will end this post on a happy note!

What an awful week. I upset my big boss on Tuesday during a miserable meeting, where I was tired, hacked off with politics, back to work too soon and trying to defend my empire I've spent five years building. I'll probably be moved somewhere I don't want to go now, which is my fault for not being a yes man. At least I know I stand up for what I believe in.....

I was really looking forward to the weekend. I was either going to go to Thanet on Friday night, or The Empire Leicester Square on Saturday and/or Sunday for their afternoon tourney. Instead I spent the weekend in bed with a rotten cold watching Charlton lose 2-5, and sacking their manager. I managed to play a few online games on Virgin and Betfair and got hit by river four outers a few times before turning the system off in disgust. I find it hard to take solace in the fact that I'm getting the chips in as a massive favourite when someone hits their miracle deuce, but I know I must.

The highlight of the weekend was watching ESPN's coverage of the WSOP final table. I thought there were some very nervous plays and questionable all ins from the players. It was very entertaining though. I was glad Dennis Philips got third after nearly blowing it on the first few hands. I wish he'd have taken it down as he'd probably been a bit happier than Eastgate about it. Next year I will spend $500 on trying to qualify for the main event. Instead of going to the pub a few times I'll load up Full Tilt and try and get a seat. (Who am I kidding I'll go to the pub first and do it drunk!)

In the imortal words of D-Ream "Things can only get better!"

The Empire Hairy Crapshoot

I ended up at The good old Empire tonight for the £20 rebuy. It was busy, with 50 runners and a very quick blind structure. There was far too much Sputnik, Camel breath and chest hair around but some truly awful players too, which kind of evens it up.

I didn't rebuy but took the add on to give me a measily 2000 chips when the freezeout started with blinds at 100/200. I held on until I got KK and pushed with 1500, got called by T4 and doubled up which was nice. From there I had a few hands and pushed preflop a few times, taking down blinds totaling 900, 900 then 1500 twice. That saw me to the final table where it was a real crapshoot. I ended up all in in the big blind with KJs, my only caller flopped a boat and that was it. I had nothing to push with prior to that and it seemed that there was someone all in every hand so I held on.

A prize of £180 for 5th was OK, although I thought I could have got a bit further with a hand or two on the final table. £140 profit a night will do me though!

The WSOP is all over for another year, sort of.

Well that's it, the Danish pro makes a wheel and takes $9 million first prize. Maybe it's me but the least he could do is look happy about it. I saw the interview and boy does he have a personality. I can see how winning poker's equivalent of the lotto can be a bit overwhelming but if I were the one looking for a bag big enough for $9m I'd be running around naked screaming and doing cartwheels (or the 1/2 cartwheels I can still manage). My message to the winner is TRY TO LOOK HAPPY ABOUT IT. Rant number one over.

Rant two - A message to Harrahs - you tried it, it didn't work, so go back to finishing the main event in July please.

I've got that live poker itch again. I've not had a home game for ages and it looks as if I wont get one in before Xmas. I'm going up town today and will try and find a game at one of the following venues ;

Loose Cannon - Still my club of choice as it's easy to get home and pleasing to the eye, but lacking the players to ensure a game.

The Vic - There will be a game, but it's harder for me to get home from West, and last time I went the place was crashed by four Somalis who chinned a bouncer. Nice.

The Empire - They do a 20 quid turbo rebuy at about 7pm and boy is it turbo! I might as well go all in every hand after the rebuys end. You get some awful players there too which can be good or bad (Mind you I'm probably one of them).

The International - If something looks like a dog, smells like a dog and barks like a dog then it's more than likely a dog. This place sounds a lot like the Gutshit, sorry Gutshot. I haven't been there yet though but there's a strange force keeping me away. It could be the fact that I've played with Gutshot regulars and I'd prefer to pluck the hairs from my arse than do it again.

My best bet is to go straight to the Empire at about 7pm, although I still want to give the Cannon another go. I'm mad me.

Gotta Love 'Em

I had a bit of time on my hands the other day at a week long training seminar thingy and the conversation got onto poker. A few lads wanted to learn how to play hold 'em and a few had played lots, or so they said. One in particular said he'd played far too much and got bored with it so he didn't play anymore. Bored with poker?? I've heard of people losing their roll, having a gambling problem or being so rubbish there was no pleasure attached, but getting bored with poker? Never heard that one. Over the course of a few days I listened to the stuff coming out of this bloke's mouth and found out that he'd been playing pub poker in various six week leagues for prizes equating to a night away in a Travelodge in Skegness. No wonder he was bored with it the twat. He was by chance an awful player and soon refused to play as, you've guessed it, he was bored......
I'm still recovering from my nasty bike accident but am going back to work next week. I'm keen to get back into work and normal life, I also want to give the new International Club (Gutshot version two) a try and will report back on it.

Tilt Cure

I've come up with a good tilt cure, when I'm on Monkey tilt I will power off and paint a water colour. Yes I have gone quite mad. I have been to WHSmith and bought a paint set, a book and some brushes. I had a go at the weekend and found painting a sunset really relaxing. I can see the big names in the live poker world taking it up soon.... just remember where you heard it first!

Poker Player's Cage Fighting Championship

I would pay money to see Helmuth's teeth knocked out, so hey ESPN there's a money maker - Poker Players Cage Fighting Championship!

PPCFC 2008 - Featuring

Helmuth vs Lindgren (Deathmatch)

Matusow vs Peanut man (Judo Rematch)

Coren vs Harman (Bikini Mud Match)

Brunson vs Cloutier (Wheelchair Joust)

Damon vs 'That Spiderman bloke' (Hero Match)

Devilfish vs DeWolfe (The Class War)

Ivey vs Negraneau (Golf Hustler Match)

Channing vs Alvarez (To give the joker a chance)

Any more match ups you guys want before I go to the TV stations with my proposal?

The Daily Bonus Grind

I need to keep the thought in my mind that online poker is a hobby that I enjoy. If I thought it as a job I would be earning less than a tea boy in a far Eastern sweat shop. I've been playing the $0.25/$0.50 limit tables on Full Tilt to grind out my bonus in $19.38 portions. I've got two portions so far and have managed to make a (very) small profit on the tables. My hourly rate is about $2, and I've had to put in what seems like days to get as far as I have. Still, it is a hobby and not work, and thank f*** it isn't work as I'd be living in a box.

Changing the subject slightly I managed to get hold of a Wii Fit the other day and I must say I'm impressed. You get Yoga, Muscle workouts, balancing games and aerobic exercises and loads of fun games to play while you're getting fit (in theory). My favourite is the Ski jump where my mate came round and beat my record on his first attempt. He got 275 Metres which if you've got the Wii Fit you'll understand is not to shabby. Whether I'll have the body of an Adonis in a few weeks is doubtful, especially as I'm about to open a nice bottle of Chablis..........

Since I came 3rd in a PKR tourney I've steadily lost there, nearly losing all of the $135 prize. Easy come easy go I suppose! I still love the site though. I'll do my figures after my first glass of that chilled grape juice....may the poker gods smile on your cards....

The PKR Bug Has Got Me

Yesterday I entered a $6 satellite for the $12.5k PKR open last night. There were 100 players, with 16 getting a seat. I came 16th, as I knew the bubble has been broken and I went all in with AK versus the monster that is KJ. I got a seat and was looking forward to the $3200 1st place in the PKR Open. Out of 443 players I came 243rd when my pair of tens ran into flopped trips and I made my signature 'first to act all in play which can only be called by a hand that beats me.'
Why do I keep making that fishy play???? I've gone out of a load of tournaments recently like that, at the weekend I went out of a tourney with 88 in the hole, 2,6,4 of spades on the board and an opponent who'd flopped the 2nd nut flush. Aaaaarrrrrghhhhhh!

I am liking PKR more and more. The ranking system, forum, PKR stats page and range of tournaments appeals to me. Designing my character reminds me of a role playing game where the better you do the more goodies you unlock. I might get a tattoo soon.......

If you want to give PKR a try click one of the banners above or to the right. There's a 100% sign up bonus that's easy to grab if you decide to play for cash, or you can just practice on the free tables and see what I'm going on about.

On a separate note I'm cooking my world famous Croc Pot Beef Vindaloo today. Here's the recepie ;

Beef Rump
Onions
Potatoes
Carrotts
Peppers
Fresh Chillies
Fresh Corriander
Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper (not the 80's group who sang Push It)
Garam Massala
More Corriander
Tin of choppped tomatoes
Oxo
Cumin
Garlic
Ginger
Loads of other spices I bought in a set
Water
Hot Curry Powder

Throw it all in the Croc Pot, stir it up and leave for about seven hours. Serve with rice or jacket spud. Beef Vindaloo, done.

Poker Whilst Off Sick

Dissapointingly I'm still off sick after my bike accident. I'm limping with the pain in my swollen leg which prevents me from going back to work. This has gone on over a week now which really frustrates me, as I'm so busy at work and there are people relying on me for certain things, which adds to my frustration.

I've been managing to play some poker but haven't exactly set the table alight with my play. I've mostly played on Full Tilt low level ring games to grind out some Rakeback and the sign up bonus, and on Virgin heads up games. I've also been playing on the fabulous PKR, which has got a load more players now and some good tournament formats. I'm on a six max $5.50 MTT at the moment where 270 players entered. I'm down to the last 20 or so and have just doubled up to about 50k, which is 2nd in chips. Come on!!!!

Update -- Now on final table still 2nd in chips!

Update -- I came 3rd for $135 when my mid pair lost out to a flush draw on the river. I got it in as a favourite and was 80% by the turn. Not bad for three hour's entertainment, and it makes me a winning player at online multi tables! The only way is up!

Profit / (Loss)
Online Cash (255)
Online SNGs 1394
Online Multi tables 21
Live Cash 821
Live Multi Table tournaments & SNGs 266
Live 'Pro' tournaments + Satellites (1840)
Home Games 138

Total $545 up

Hitler's View on the Reading 'Goal'

Wow, I've just watched the Reading goal at the weekend. I've never seen anything like it in football in 36 years. Check out Hilter's view on the debacle :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRIarQrYvvM&feature=related


And the poker stalemate continues :

Profit / (Loss)
Online Cash (266)
Online SNGs 1413
Online Multi tables (114)
Live Cash 821
Live Multi Table tournaments & SNGs 412
Live 'Pro' tournaments + Satellites (1840)
Home Games 138
Total $564 up

The Two Sides of the NHS

Since my nasty bike accident on Thursday I've been off work and playing a bit of online poker on Full Tilt to grind out my bonus. I've been on the low limit cash tables and made a small profit. In the last few days I've been itching to get back to work as I know my lads depend on me to an extent and there's loads of stuff that will just wait until I get back. This makes me realise that the life of a full time online poker player could become a bit boring. Yes it would be great to make a load of cash but it may become a bit of a grind, especially during the downswings. I'll stick to what I'm doing now, working and playing socially and as a hobby, hoping to be able to step up a few levels and keep a bankroll going.

Anyway to the title of this article. On Thursday I went to A&E and got a first class service, very quick, caring and professional. I got told to go and see my GP today so he could check out the gash on my elbow to see if I needed a skin graft. The GP confirmed it was healing ok but looked dazed and confused when the wound needed re dressing. He started mumbling that the nurse only works mornings and put the old, bloody dressing back on the wound! Not very professional I think. After a bit of prompting he gave me some dressings for me to put on at home which I suppose helps, but could he not bear to stoop as low as sticking a bandage on for me there?

Crash Bang Wallop!

I was up early and ready for a busy day at work - I was all set for a meeting to heap praise on the guys who've helped me fund my job for the last few years. I got on my mountain bike and started my 13 mile ride to work in the sunshine. I got about a mile away from my house when the chain I had booked in to fix today broke and I was sent crashing to the ground in a 16 stone heap of flesh and bone. Now usually when I come off my bike I get up quickly so as not to get run over by commuters who are in a hurry, but today it hurt too much to go anywhere. After a few cars changed lanes to get past me and get on with their important lives a man in a white van and some other lovely concerned folks stopped to help. Someone always helps eventually, which restores my faith in humanity somewhat.
I asked that an ambulance be called and a paramedic in a mini van was there in a minute or so fortunately. By that time I'd recovered enough to get myself off the road and onto the grass verge. My left leg, elbow, hip and chest were all swollen and throbbing so I got myself off to the horse-pital where they very proffessionally and quickly X-rayed and patched me up. My head wasn't split as I always wear a good helmet. At least I got that right. I've got a chronic dead leg and some skin missing from my elbow and hip that may need a graft.

So there you go - I've learned a few things today :

1. When your bike chain or gears are dodgy and you know about it for three weeks don't put off getting them fixed. Not even for a day.
2. Always wear a bike helmet.
3. The public can be selfish arseholes.
4. The public can be really helpful and kind.
5. Paramedics that are nearby are great.
6. A quiet Emergency Room is great.
7. The NHS are great.

I must be ill as I don't feel like playing poker! The good news on a poker front is that I'm up to over $1400 on my SNG chart, only $74 to get through the downswing. I've been reading about Dungbettle's exploits on his blog (see link to the right) and am really missing the Loose Cannon. As soon as I'm better I'm off down there. I'm also going to check out the new International Club(Gutshot 2) and I'm getting back down to Thanet to get some money off those cheating locals.

Anyway that's me feeling sorry for myself over with, I might have a quick heads up....

Enforced Rest my Arse

I'm back on the online poker again of course. I'm at the bottom of my downswing now so the only way is up, baby! (someone should write a song like that). Is online poker as addictive as drugs, drink, smoking and curry? You're damm right it is! (not that I take drugs that are illegal)
If someone said to me I had to give up poker or going to the pub I don't know what I'd do. I guess that makes me an addict then.
I've played a few heads up games and the odd cooler on Virgin, won a few, lost a few, and I'm over $1300 again on the online SNG section of my records. Lets hope that $218 downswing was my biggest ever eh....

An Enforced Rest

It's downswing time again! My live downswing is more of a habit now so I'm used to losing there, however it seems as if the poker Gods have been kicking me in the nuts for the last few weeks online. I've managed to lose over $200 online playing $11 and $6 heads up, cooler, nine handed and ten handed games. I won't go through the beats here, you know what they will be (runner runner flushes, set over sets, three outers etc etc etc).
With that in mind it came to the point the other day when I had to take a rest from poker. I'm studying for an exam I have next week anyway so a poker rest comes at a good time. Needless to say when I've finished the exam I will be starting my comeback, as if the total profit below goes into negative I will be upset.

Profit / (Loss)
Online Cash (273)
Online SNGs 1386
Online Multi tables (91)
Live Cash 821
Live Multi Table tournaments & SNGs 412
Live 'Pro' tournaments + Satellites (1840)
Home Games 138

Total $553 up

A Bit of Live Action

I went down to the Isle of Thanet on Thursday to play at the G Casino on the industrial estate there. I don't know why the call it an 'Isle' as I crossed no water to get there. Maybe it's designed to give the place an identity other than run down seaside resorts.

Anyway to the poker - I played in the Thursday freeroll with five pound rebuys. There were 38 runners and I came a pitiful 9th and out of the money. I didn't rebuy and only spent five British pounds on an add on. I had very few chips and called all in after an early position raise, something I don't like to do, but the ace ten I had was the best hand I'd seen all night. No match for his AQ so I'm out. The cardroom is great with loads of room and a nice feel. The tourney directors were weak and let the regulars string bet, show each other cards and still act and break other assorted rules. This spoilt the tournament and certainly put me off playing in it again. The prize money was heavily weighted to first and I felt that it should be a more gentle slope of payouts, but then I always think that.

I then played in the Friday thirty pounds one rebuy and add on. This was a much better tournament with tourney directors that were much more professional although still not watching the action as much as I'd like. There were 51 runners and I was doing well with 13 left when I made a bad move. I was table chip leader with 37,000 with the blinds at 1500/3000, UTG with AKo. I for some reason decided to steal the blinds and went all in, only to be called by the second chip leader next to me who turned over QQ. I lost the race and was down to about 10k. I then lost another race with QJ against the same bloke who had 44, with me dealing I turned over two fours on the flop for his quads, then threw the cards down saying 'Fuck it' and walked off in 13th. A bad move by me with the AK, I should have limped or made a 12k raise. Then I may still have called his all in but at least I'd have had a chance to fold it.
I will play there again but not in the freeroll.
I'm $130 down on poker for the trip and I lost twenty quid on three card poker to cool down after busting out so poorly.

A Partial Recovery...

Thank the lords of the World Wide Web for inventing internet poker! I've made a partial recovery of the online bankroll. The SNG chart peaked at $1474 then dropped horribly to about $1350 the other week. I hate it when that happens. With a mixture of solid play and a big dollop of luck I've brought it back to about $1440 which is making me feel much better.

I just played a lad who is losing $2700 on Sharkscope over the last 1700 games. He ws quite rude so I mentioned this and his reply was to the effect that he loses $8000 annually, and he can afford it. My question is then if he loses all the time and can afford it why is he so rude? The answer must be that he has two hobbies - internet poker and being an ass.

I'm off to the dogs now to lose about 100 quid probably. I do about ten quid a race betting on reverse doubles(top two dogs in any order - 2 bets) and trio always(top three hounds in any order - 6 bets). I have won a few trios here and there which has been nice. I don't think dog racing(or any racing) has much integrity going on but it's a bit of fun and the other half likes it. Full update to come of course.

Still Getting Shafted...

I had a home game last night with friends and family. Unfortunately there were more women than men there so the poker went painfully slow as the talk about shopping and f***ing kitchen utensils took precedence.
The Father in law started shouting at his wife early on which was embarrassing and set the tone for the evening, the wife was pre menstrual which is never a good thing, and I was getting annoyed at one of our new players who couldn't get it into her head what 'check' meant and why we had to put blinds in.
I was becoming increasingly frustrated and was accused of being stroppy when I had to raise my voice to get a player to put her blinds in, and I had to explain why we have blinds for the 50th time to that person. It was hard work and what made it worse was I was losing. I hit a set of kings on the flop only to lose to a rivered flush, and tried to bluff a sucker who of course wouldn't have laid down two napkins never mind two pair.

I lost about 25 quid and the wife won about that so not a disaster, but I'm glad that one is over....

Getting Shafted.........

Over the last few days I've been getting shafted online time and time again. It's uncanny that when you're on a bad run people seem to hit two outers on you with alarming regularity. I've dropped about $150 which doesn't mean I'm looking to sell my belongings, but it's seventy five of the Queen's English Pounds, and she will not be amused that the currency of the Realm is going to some obscure European or Russian village to be spent on donkeys and cattle.
Clearly something needs to be done, I vow to have a rest from the online world and get some live action going. I've got a poker night Friday with seven players total, two of them relative newbies so we'll need to ease them into it gently. I may go to the Empire at the weekend for their crap shoot, and I'm going to have a crack at the new G casino in Thanet next week. I'll report on all the action at both venues of course.

I've been enjoying the Olympics as I'm sure you all have. My favourite events so far have been;
Women's Beach Volleyball, Cycling, Kayaking, women's diving, triathlon, certain gymnastic events and the Men's 100 and 200 metres. It's amazing what these athletes can train to do with little funding and limited support from the Government.
My least favourite events have been;
Any martial arts, boxing, Heptathalon, shooting, marathon, archery. Sorry these just don't rock my boat.
Well done to the British team, you've done us all proud and brought more than a few tears to my eyes. None more so than when Bryony Shaw won a bronze medal in wind surfing and was sobbing with pure joy, saying 'It's the best thing in the world.' Although I suspect there may be better things in the world to some people, it was very sweet that it meant the world to her.

Mad Pat's Home Game

I was looking forward to Mad Pat's home game because there were a few really new players who needed the hand rankings in front of them, and it was ten pound freezeouts with a fast blind structure. I mangaged to bust out in 7th (out of 7) in the first tourney when my aggressive all in under the gun with tens was called by a pair of kings.........oops. The second tournament was more successful in that I powered my way through the field to come in the top two, which split the prize fund equally. A $30 profit for a night out wasn't bad. Bring on the next home game, I'm on a roll!

Profit / (Loss)
Online Cash (273)
Online SNGs 1470
Online Multi tables (65)
Live Cash 821
Live Multi Table tournaments & SNGs 552
Live 'Pro' tournaments + Satellites (1840)
Home Games 188

Total $853 up

Home Game Report

I thought maybe I wouldn't drink during this home game, how wrong I was! I was 10 dolllars up at the end of the night which is nice but not that important, everyone enjoyed themselves which is good. The wife won a bit and I got a 3rd in the main event so not too bad. We played a bit of cash where I tried to bring new elements into the game. Hold 'em switch was very popular. We played a freezeout at the end of the night which Pat won by hitting a five outer on the river to bust my AQ with his A2, the bugger.

The full results are as follows :
Me - 3rd 15 quid
Wife - 2nd 21 quid
Mum in law - 1st 31 quid + high hand QQQAA for 8 quid
Dad in law - Nowt
Albert - Nowt
Chobbs - Nowt
Pat - 1st 20 quid
Gimp - 2nd 10 quid

Profit / (Loss)
Online Cash (273)
Online SNGs 1350
Online Multi tables (65)
Live Cash 821
Live SNGs 0
Live Multi Table tournaments 552
Live 'Pro' tournaments + Satellites (1840)
Home Games 110

Total $655 up

Home Game Tonight!

I started with a list of twelve, but numbers have now been whittled down to eight. The players will be competing in limit cash games of Hold 'em, Hold 'em switch, Pineapple, Lowball and Royal Hold 'em, as well as the customary five pound rebuy main event. There will also be a high hand of the night jackpot and progressive quads of better jackpot, which was won at Christmas and was eighty quid at the time. Definitely a drinking and socialising night as opposed to something that might swell my pension fund. If the stakes were higher half the players wouldn't come, although I am slowly uping the ante so to speak now I've got them hooked...

The brave and fearless competitors tonight will be ;
Me
Wife
Mum in law
Dad in law
Albert
Chobbs
Mad Pat
Danny the Gimp (I'll refer to him as Gimp from now on)

I have set up one table on the patio and one indoors for the inevitable cold snap at about 10pm. Should be a good night if I play my cards right! (sorry)
My bankroll for the evening is 50 quid, the wifes is about 40 as she needs less being the better player. I will post full tournament results here and report on my cash profits/loss.

Pride Comes Before a Fall

Yes you've guessed it I didn't make my 13th cash in a row the other night. I got destroyed in about four hands on a heads up match on Virgin. Since then I've been struggling to get any live action but have got Tuesday night's home game to look forward to.
I nearly got to the Loose Cannon last Thursday night for the city 100 but got too comfortable in the pub in Whitehall drinking Titanic and other nice bitters......

I am up to $1325 on online SNGs, the profit coming from Virgin 5 Euro heads up matches. I've been winning at least two out of three which gives me a small but steady profit. My monthly profit is $186 which isn't bad for what essentially is a hobby. Try making $186 a month playing football, Golf or fishing..........
I had a few beers last night and lost three in a row after tilting against a good player. I need to regain my focus today and win a few before jet washing the patio and getting the barbie on.

The Record Cash Streak has been Broken!

I've been grabbing a few games on Virgin and Betfair the last few days, mostly heads up matches. I've broken my record for cashes in a row which was 8 but is now a healthy 12. I'm still on this streak so when conditions are right (i.e. after the Sainsbury's shop) I'll see if I can make it 13 in a row. I should say that I've played some good aggressive players and got lucky on coin flips, but I think I deserve some luck.

By grinding away at small stakes and making a steady profit theres always the nagging feeling that I could be making more by playing bigger stakes. I give it a shot every now and then and invariably fail and go back to low stakes where I'm comfy. I may start playing more $22 SNGs on Betfair, Full Tilt and Virgin and see how I go for a month. Check back here for the results!

Profit / (Loss)
Online Cash (273)
Online SNGs 1298
Online Multi tables (65)
Live Cash 821
Live SNGs 0
Live Multi Table tournaments 552
Live 'Pro' tournaments + Satellites (1840)
Home Games 100

Total $593 up

Itching For Live Action

As the title says it's been weeks since I got back from Vegas and I'm missing the fact that I can get out of bed at 4am and walk downstairs to play some live poker. I'm having a home game on 22nd July and I'm thinking of going to the Loose Cannon or Empire tommorrow night to get my fix.

Online I've been doing ok. I broke my $10 SNG cherry on Full Tilt, taking one down on Sunday. I've not been playing much on there due to the time difference, and the fact that I don't want to play the better yanks in the middle of their day. I've been playing on Virgin mostly in their cooler tournaments. The reward isn't high but it's a double up for little risk (just some solid play).

I'm up to $1242 on online SNGs now which isn't too sad. A slow rise in the old worm suits me - I use a free Excel graph to track my results from www.KingsCasade.com, which is excellent.

Now for some live cashes!

Up, Up and Away!

The last few days I've been playing mostly heads up matches on Full Tilt, Virgin and Betfair. I started out winning but then my luck ran out, so I had a break.

I've decided to use Full Tilt for the purpose I downloaded it - to play drunk Americans when I'm all nice and fresh in the morning. I had a couple of heads of matches there this morning and was outclassed by better players. From now on I'll only play early in the morning on the Tilt to give myself a better chance.

I've discovered the Virgin Cooldown SNG, which is 11 Euros entry, top five get 20 Euros. This tourney suits my tight aggressive 'Harrington' style of play. I'm glad to say it would seem most players don't adjust their play from a standard SNG. They take too many risks by calling all ins for all their chips when all they really need to do is get a nice stack and keep it. I've played three of these matches today and 'won' all three for a profit of 27 Euros ($42).

I've also played a few $11 SNGs on Betfair and came 6th, 3rd and 2nd. I lost the heads up match against a German player who was top of the Betfair leaderboard in June, and I matched him all the way, which is encouraging. A $59 profit today.

Profit / (Loss)
Online Cash (273)
Online SNGs 1214
Online Multi tables (65)
Live Cash 821
Live SNGs 0
Live Multi Table tournaments 552
Live 'Pro' tournaments + Satellites (1840)
Home Games 100

Total $509 up

Getting into Mano a Mano...

I've been busy at work and at home the last week or so which means my usual 4 tables on $10 SNGs on Betfair or Party have to wait. I can't guarantee that I will be left to concentrate for a whole hour at home, so if I played I would be struggling and if I bust out of all four I'm in danger of blaming the family for disturbing me (maybe I should blame the bottle of Pinot Grigio I've just necked instead eh?).
The solution for me has been to play some $5 heads up matches one at a time so I can concentrate. If I get disturbed and donk off all my chips it's only the price of a small donner or pint of grog so it's not the end of the world. I've done ok so far playing 16 tourneys on Virgin, Full Tilt and Betfair. I've won 11 out of 16 for an ROI of 30% and profit of $33, which is ok as the stakes are so low. What I have noticed is the rake if quite high so the rakeback deals I have at Full Tilt and Betfair are important. I need to win two out of three to show a small profit. If I was winning just half the tourneys the poker site would slowly bleed my bankroll of course, the buggers. I'm not going to get into rake on this post as I want to play some more poker.....

Profit / (Loss)
Online Cash (273)
Online SNGs 1164
Online Multi tables (65)
Live Cash 821
Live SNGs 0
Live Multi Table tournaments 552
Live 'Pro' tournaments + Satellites (1840)
Home Games 100
Total $459 up

A Quick Heads up Match after the Tennis

I've watching Andy Murray get himself into the quarter finals tonight in what I have to say was a real show of character from the Scot, after that excitement I had to have a quick 5 Euro Virgin heads up match which I lost. It came down to my kqo vs his qts, he hit a ten on the turn and that one was more or less over. Hey never mind I've had a whole bottle of wine tonight so I'm mostly numb to bad beats. In fact that's a good attitude to have in general to the variance of poker. I'll do the running total tommorrow when I'm sober.
Big hello to 'Style' from the Hendon Mob forum who read this blog tonight.

A Quickie before Sausages and Bulmers

I played a bit on Full Tilt before going to the barbie, came 4th on a $6 SNG when my pocket jacks ran into pocket queens (I hate jacks), and lost $11 on a 0.5/1.0 limit game where I wasn't playing seriously - (I wonder what makes me throw my money away like that?). I also played a few heads up SNGs on Virgin for 5 Euros. I won three and lost one for a profit of $16.

Profit / (Loss)
Online Cash (273)
Online SNGs 1148
Online Multi tables (65)
Live Cash 821
Live SNGs 0
Live Multi Table tournaments 552
Live 'Pro' tournaments + Satellites (1840)
Home Games 100

Total $443 up

Too Sunny for Poker!

It's a lovely day out there which means my host will declare it too nice to be playing poker at the barbie I'm sure. I may have to settle for getting drunk and eating pink sausages then making a fool of myself (again). I'm going to take some cash and my poker dice just in case....

I saw on the Loose Cannon forum that there's no Friday game now due to an event. Handy they let me know as if I'd gone down there and not got a game again I think I'd have canned the place for good. I'll go to The Empire to play in their 6.30pm turbo event. It really is a turbo - if you hang around waiting for cards you're out quickly after the rebuys finish, still at least it's live action. I'm having my next home game on 22nd July, it's free beer and you're all invited! (I can say that because I'm the only one that reads this blog). I've got a list of about twelve people that like a game. I'll invite the most important ones first as my home made table only fits nine. Check out my LED lights in the picture below...

Some Poker Action on the Horizon

After slogging my guts out at work the last few days I've now got some poker to look forward to. I've got a barbeque to go to on Saturday, and the host says if it rains we'll go inside and play some poker or pool for money. Come on the rain! I will ensure I don't look too keen to play poker as the other guests may think (wrongly) I'm good in some way. I don't want to scare away any new players, especially at this particular barbie because the host has a few quid and I would guess his mates do too. My stories of World Series (non) glory will have to be kept firmly under wraps.

I joined Full Tilt today via Raketherake as I'm missing our American cousins on Party, Pacific, Betfair and Virgin. I tried Pokerstars the other month but wasn't impressed by the graphics or the feel of the site. I must say my favourite site at present is Betfair - The graphics are good and I like the fact I can deposit using Paypal. The only problem is the traffic is low. If the site got an extra 10,000 players it would really be a great site. I also like Party still although I have no rakeback deal there so I'm hoping to use Full Tilt as opposed to Party. I have to work again today then it's the footie tonight so I still wont be able to play.

I'm looking at some live play next week in London. I'm on a course on Wednesday and Friday up there so I think I'll catch the 6pm Empire crapshoot on Wednesday and check out The Loose Cannon fifteen quid tourney on Friday. I'd like to play in the new Loose Cannon league on Thursdays but can't next week due to a football project I run. Just another example of work getting in the way of poker. I'll report on the barbie game (I hope) and the live action next week.

No Poker Today

Wow what a nightmare day, up at 5am on the train by 7am, got to Fulham at 8.30am, a day full of post it notes and roles plays about leadership, finished there at half five, home at 7pm, all with the jet lag from Vegas still making me feel mostly asleep. I've learned that poker and tiredness mix well - If I want to throw money away. With that in mind there will be no poker action for me tonight.
On a side note I've just started to read 'The Biggest Game in Town' by Al Alvarez. I've met Al and Anthony Holden at the Loose Cannon in London a few years back and they were both real gents. It's a shame I didn't have the book for Al to sign then. It's also shameful that I haven't read Al's book before now, it's just that I tend to read strategy books primarily to improve my results. By the way things have gone I may as well read horror stories!

Oh No! Back to work Tomorrow!

This is my last day of rest before going back to work. You'd think my first day would ease me back into it but I have to get up at 6am to get a few trains to Fulham for leadership training, so I'll have black bogies and a headache after that pain in the ass day.
I won a Virgin 11 Euro SNG today for 41 Euros ($64). If only I could earn $64 every hour for eight hours a day, then I could retire. Unfortunately I lost a few heads up matches too...

Profit / (Loss)
Online Cash (261)
Online SNGs 1146
Online Multi tables (65)
Live Cash 821
Live SNGs 0
Live Multi Table tournaments 552
Live 'Pro' tournaments + Satellites (1840)
Home Games 100

Total $453 up

Back to Reality....

I'm back from the bright lights of Las Vegas and now need to make the money back that I lost. My Vegas record this year is as follows :

No Limit Cash : $300 down
Limit Cash : $146 up
Small Tournaments : $251 down
Big Pro Tournaments : $1500 down
Total : $1905 down

I played cash at Bellagio, PH, Mandalay Bay, Red Rock, Luxor, MGM and Ceasars Palace.
I played tournies at PH, Ceasars, TI and the RIO for the WSOP of course.
I cashed in one Planet Hollywood tournament for $264 and got a bounty in a TI tournament for $50. My no limit cash games were filled with bad beats so I didn't turn a profit in any session there. My limit play was good, although I did fairly poorly at Bellagio at 4/8 and well at 2/4 everywhere else.
I'm now back in sunny Kent suffering from jet lag so not playing any serious poker.

My record today is :
Virgin cash - $9 down
Virgin SNGs - $7 up
Betfair SNG - $11 down

So here are my profits and (losses) divided up into the following sections ;

Online Cash (261)
Online SNGs 1160
Online Multi tables (65)
Live Cash 821
Live SNGs 0
Live Multi Table tournaments 552
Live 'Pro' tournaments + Satellites (1840)
Home Games 100
Total $467 up

Gotta do some ironing now to keep the wife happy....

WSOP Event Cont'd.......

Level 5 23 mins left
A big stack joins the table who I later find out is Eli Berg. He has over 20k. Another one then joins who I later find out is Kevin Saul, a WPT winner for $1.3 million. He has about 20k too, the bugger. Those two are sitting immediately to my right which puts me in a semi awkward position, as I feel that any pot I raise may make them put me to the test by putting me all in. That's ok if I have a really good hand but the cards I've been seeing today haven't been too spectacular.

Level 6, 810 players left, 200/400 (50), $5125 chips
$1100 a round now so I'm looking to jam the pot preflop with a good hand, nothing doing though as I fold, fold and fold again. Down to $4125 now with 38 minutes left until dinner break and 770 players left. I begin to think I may have a Chinese later tonight if I bust out. I'm getting 26 offsuit, 59 offsuit and similar so I'm just paying blinds and antes and losing my 'stack', which consists of about seven chips. In fact I'm happy when I get some change for antes as it looks like my stack is bigger, with loads of green $25 chips.

Level 6, 28mins left, 670 players, $3175 in chips
I don't know whether to hang on and try and get to the dinner break short or push it to either double up or bust. I decide my chip situation is so bad I need to take a stand with any two good cards. The problem is I'm getting absolutely no cards, j2o, 10s, t90, all folded preflop. I make it to the dinner break with $2325 in chips and 570 players left, 300 off the money. I now have 90 minutes to meet the wife, have a bite to eat and compose myself in order to get lucky!

Key Hand 12
Level 7, 1st hand, 565 players left
This is it, I have JQ spades and push all in whilst clenching my buttocks and trying to remember to breathe. I get called by Kevin Saul (the WPT winner) who had 67 of spades. I feel happy that I 've got the flush draw and overs of course. Then the flop comes 8 spades, 9 spades and 5 clubs, giving him and open ended straight flush draw, me a gutshot straigh flush draw, and overards. He hits a 6 on the turn, pairing up and my re draw and a Jack, Queen, ten or spade (17 outs) gives me an ace of diamonds. So that's me out in about 550th place and my World Series dream is over for a year at least.

Summary
I really enjoyed the event, I lasted just over six hours and was about 300 short of the money from 2706 players. I wish I'd taken a few more risks in the hands where I had AK and 99, I may then have been a bit closer to the bubble and maybe even cashed. I found myself pretty low on cards but sometimes when you get the cards you bust out so at least I got good value for my money. I will play in the WSOP again but I've got to earn the $1500 back first online to be able to afford to play next year.
At least I got myself on ESPN, I was sitting behind Blair Hinkle waving when he won his bracelet. Here's the link : http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/wsoptv/index.asp?curPage=6&videocatid=2&videoid=189

Eli Berg to my left knocked Kevin Saul out in a big pot so the WPT winner didn't cash either. Berg got $3140 for his 197th place finish.

WSOP Event Cont'd....

Key Hand 5
Level 3, 17 mins left, 3075 chips
I have Q6 in the SB and complete to the BB who checks. Flop comes Q97, I'm first so I bet 700 as I'd like to take the pot without seeing a turn card. The BB pushes for 2500 total so I assume he doesn't want to see a turn either, and that my 6 kicker is probably beat. I think for a bit and fold. He shows me Q9 for a flopped two pair. Good read by me although it cost me 700 to see where I was at. $2375 left now and not too comfortable with my stack. I need a big hand to push with as the next level brings antes into the equation, I will only have an M of 4 in 13 minutes so I need to get in there with something, not the 26 offsuit I just got dealt though!

Key Hand 6
Late in level 3
Limped in early position with 99, loads more limps then an all in from the button for about 3000. I think for a while and know I should be pushing here but I fold as does everyone else. I think I'm playing a bit weak and turning down races which annoys me secretly.

Key Hand 7
I have 33 in EP and limp again, more limps then then flop comes 752. It gets checked around and I check too. I think maybe I should have pushed here after everyone showing weakness but I don't. A LP player takes the pot on the turn with a large bet which probably meant he had King high or some other high cards. I'm now under 2000 in chips and the antes are just round the corner. I think my desire to go deep is making me play scared poker. I vow to improve and show some guts!

Key Hand 8
Level 4 52 mins left, 100/200 + 25 ante
Oh dear the antes are in, I drop to $1650 then I pick up KT off in late position. I push (or place) all my chips in and am called by a massive stack with 65 suited. The flop brings a ten and the turn another one so I double up to $3625. Phew! From 2706 players there's now 1460 left. The antes really get things moving quickly.

Key Hand 9
Level 4 41 mins left
I have KK in EP and raise to 900. The short stack goes all in for about 500 with a T7 or similar. He doesn't improve a I knock him out and increase my stack to 4500.

Key Hand 10
I have AK off UTG, I raise to 700 in an effort to win the blinds and antes really. I get two callers and the flop comes raggy. The callers know I'm tight and play big cards so I think if I make a standard continuation bet they may have the balls to come over the top and take it away. I check and sure enough one of them bets big and forces me to fold. Again maybe I should have stuck some chips in to see where I was at. Down to $3675 now and getting tired. I had an energey drink a while back which was good at the time but now I feel worse. 22 minutes before the next break so I need to hold it together and try and drag another pot before then.

Key Hand 11
Level 5, 150/300 (25), $2500 left!
The player to my right goes all in for his last 2000 and I call him with AQo. He has K6 and gets his king on the turn but that gives me a straight as TJX fell on the flop. He's out and I have $5600 now which feels much better. Only 960 players left and 270 getting paid, so I begin to feel pretty good! Soon after I have to fold 33 in mid position after a raise and and all in so I'm down to $5125 with 930 players left. The average stack is about $7000 so I'm doing ok.

WSOP Event 27 Cont'd......

Key Hand 4
Level 3 41 mins left 100/200
I have pocket 8's in the Big blind, I call raise to 600 hoping to hit a set, in hindsight 6/7 times I don't want to see a flop here so I should have re raised I think. Anyway the flop isn't too bad for my 8's - 339 with two diamonds. I check this flop and the raiser bets 1000, I fold thinking he may have a higher pocket pair. Now I'm reading this I'm thinking what was I playing at? The late position raiser was more than likely coming in with A9 - AK, KQ, maybe KJ or any pair. After that flop I'm beating many of his likely hands so I should have raised his 1000 flop bet. The problem was that any raise I make in this position was committing all my chips to this hand so if I'm wrong and he has AA, KK, QQ, JJ,TT, or 99 that's me done. I think a better player would have raised here. Maybe I was playing scared poker here or maybe my instincts were spot on...

WSOP 2008 Event 27 - $1500 NLHE 14th June 2008, 3000 Starting Chips

Welcome to my blog page - please feel free to advise me on all the donkey plays I make and praise me up for all the world class bluffs I (don't) make. Anyway I'll get this started with my main event, the biggest tournament I've ever entered, the $1500 No Limit Hold Em event at the WSOP 2008.
I've made about $1000 online this year so I had the money to buy into this event. I was going to do some satellites but I did one last year at the Mirage for a WPT side event and got pasted so I didn't bother. I bought in on Saturday 7th June and saw Marcel Luske there entering a 5k event. Had a nice photo with him, he's taller than he looks on TV. From 7th - 14th June I was nervous as hell but kept thinking I'll give it a shot and have a story to tell.

Key Hand 1
Level 2, blinds 50/100, 42 mins left.
I have AKo early position (EP). I raise to 500, one caller from button, flop KJ8 rainbow, Nice. Opponent bets 400, I grab all my chips and lift them to stick them all in. Just as I move forward the 1000 chip slips from my sweaty mitts and my fumbled attempt at pushing turns out to be a call. Schoolboy error! Turn is a blank and opponent says 'Go ahead' as if to entice an all in. Now that gets me thinking has he made a loose call preflop with KJ? I think for a bit then go all in with my last 1200. He calls and shows AJ for a flopped 2nd pair. River no help and I double up to 4650. I'm on the road to glory.

Hand 2
Lvl 2, 34 mins left, 4650 chips
QQ Small Blind (SB). Two limps, I raise to 400, both call. Flop 9,10,5 two spades. I bet 800 and both opponents fold. I wasn't messing around with letting someone draw to a flush. Up to 5250.
I see Phil Helmuth arrive and sitting four tables from me. I get up and take a quick picture of him. He looks grumpy.

Hand 3
Lvl 3 54 mins left, 100/200
AKo, under the gun (UTG) player limps, I raise to 800 from button, aggressive player goes all in for about 2500 more, most of my chips. I think for a bit and decide he has a pair, AK or at best AQ. Not willing to gamble on a 50/50 just yet as I felt there would be a better spot later on. Maybe I should have pushed, maybe I lost my bottle. Wasn't too happy with my play there.
Lvl 3 28 mins left, Phil Helmuth bust out, hohoho I lasted longer than him.