blonde poker

 

No poker today so we went to the arena to support Simon Trumper in the $10,000 Omaha. He was chips leader having double the chips of any other player in the field. They played down to 18 players and although Simon's chips decreased over the day, he still managed to get into the money and finished the night with just under $100,000 chips, 7th out of 18. He returns tomorrow and fingers crossed for him to get a good payday. I had a bit of shock when I say that Tikay has modernised his look somewhat, bleaching his hair totally blonde - even blonder than El Blondie. Nice to see some familiar faces like Thewy, Zach, Womble and Ariston over here, although I have to admit, after 20 days over here, I'm finding it hard be the life and soul. I have notices a tired look in a lot of the English players that have been over here as long as me, their expressions say, I've played a hell of a lot of poker, spent loads of my bankroll, and I haven't even got a sun tan to show for it.

I had a good chat with Peter Costa and his lovely wife yesterday. He told me about a very interesting hand that he played with Huck Seed, ex WSOP Champion, in the Omaha. It demonstrates the discipline and focus of these top players. I hope he doesn't mind me writing about it. Basically, Peter made a straight flush, and bet out $4000 into a $5000 pot, Huck Seed had made the Ace Flush and ONLY called the $4000 (their was no possibility of a full house on the board)! Peter, brother of Kim who plays at Gala, Nottingham, is a top bloke; he always has time to speak to you, and is very honest about life on the professional poker circuit. He is also down to the last 18 in the Omaha with about the same chips as Trumper.

The WSOP main event is $10,000, but to do whole 6 weeks will cost you nearer $100,000 or $70,000 if you just play the hold'em events. With cash games and satellites 24hrs a day, a lot of poker players will have blown their bankrolls by July 16th. Of course, a few players will be richer, but the many will be broke, if not in debt.

The walk on the way back from the arena is often a sad one, as well as the bad beat stories, I have heard players begging their friends or family to wire or lend them money, I have even seen players crying after going on tilt in a cash game. The life of the gambler is an emotionally draining one, it sends you into desperation. When you have no money in your pocket, all you want to do is get cash from any source to feed the monster, you promise to stick to a new improved disciplined system, but after a few losses you slide back to old habits. This is the side of poker that the WPT and WSOP do not show on TV. However, when you get THAT win, life is a bunch of roses again and its time to go shopping and blow your winnings, treat your loved ones, and tell everyone how you played your A game.