Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[tikay]

We may need a ruling from 2-6, aka Tal bloke, but I'm not at all sure "excess Yorkshire pudding" makes any sense whatsoever. Never been known.

[Karabiner]

I did actually think of you today as I threw away two excess Yorkshire puddings having consumed the first couple.

Does not compute...

They are quite literally fist-sized and having already put back on the stone in weight that I shed during the summer I somewhat guiltily and rather nobly(I thought) threw them in the bin.

[Tal]

We may need a ruling from 2-6, aka Tal bloke, but I'm not at all sure "excess Yorkshire pudding" makes any sense whatsoever. Never been known.

There are very few arguments of which one would want to be on the opposite side to Tikay, Doobs and Red Dog (the Balthazar, Caspar and Melchior of blonde). This isn't an exception.

I've done my research, asked around and conducted the leading journals.

The correct number of Yorkshires to eat is the amount there are.

[doubleup]

Fabulous stuff.

I'm guessing this has gone now, too? Do you recognize it?

Click to see full-size image.

yes it was the entrance to a defunct railway station quite close to where Cincins used to be.

[DaveShoelace]

How 'PokerStars-y' is it over there these days Pops? Got many Stars folks in the Leeds office? Are they changing much up? Is there much rivarly between the sky folks and the stars folks aka:

Morning Barry.

Hard to say really. I've been keeping my head down & getting on with my job. Who'd have thought I'd end up working for 'Stars?

The whole thing, before & after TSG, has been amazing really, I've had a ringside seat watching the rise & rise of SB&G. They were a little subsidiary of Big Sky when I joined 12+ years ago, then they went independent, then TSG came in. It'd been amazing to witness the whole story. I enjoy business talk, so I've been very lucky to see it all.

We used to see much more detail in the numbers, especially Bet. Every day we would all be told what our liabilities were, how much we (SB&G) stood to win or lose if results went for or against us. Swings of £10 or £15 milly per day were better than having a bet, it was incredible to see it all pan out.  Knowing that 9 of the Top Ten most popular bets had won & sweating the tenth was better than having a bet myself. 

These days, due to limitations due to being part of a Listed Company means we don't see the numbers in detail any more - that would break all the rules, but we still see how we are doing on a weekly basis v Forecast, & Y-O-Y etc.

From what I can see, TSG don't interfere much. The Leadership Team has changed a fair bit though, for a variety of reasons. Sad in some ways, but understandable.

Most of all though, it's the media sentiment towards bookmakers at the moment that fascinates. Until 3 or 4 years ago, it was the Payday Loan businesses that exercised the media, Wonga etc. Then they got tired of that & switched to bookies, initially with FOBT's etc, & then the bookmaking industry generally. It's all a bit weird to be part of an Industry of which there is so much negativity. A bloke does his bollox on as FOBT & everyone gives him sympathy. I'm not quite sure that equates. And of course punters love to knock bookies. They still bet with them though. "Traders" seem to be mocked & despised by all, but those who criticise have no idea how it works these days in the retail gambling environment. Bless.

Anyway, forget all that. For readers who don't know Barry, here's his Dog. What's not to love?

Click to see full-size image.

Yeah I'm a stats nerd too, I would have loved that top ten bet stuff. When Playtech bought PokerStrategy the same thing happened, we were less privvy to interesting information, things much more compartmentalised.

Were you serious about getting a dog in 2019 as per your tweet? I hope so, I reckon you would rather suit one. They truly are a joy, they make you smile, great company, they get you outdoors and they NEED you, which is quite an important thing I think.

When I got Charlie (almost exactly 10 years ago) I got some great advice on training dogs from EvilPie and RedDog here, no doubt they would give you a few pointers.

[Chompy]

Blast from the past

[4KSuited]

Came here to put up that photo of Tony - thankfully Chompy beat me to it as I’d have wasted at least an hour to work out how (not) to do it, and then just put a link up.... Great to see that he’s still getting out & about - and winning comps.

I began playing poker more seriously at TC’s poker club in Maidenhead however many years ago, until he could no longer afford to keep it running. Then I jumped into the Luton aquariums.

Like you, Tony, I regard Christmas as something to get to the other side of without too much emotional suffering. Separated from my wife, my folks are both long gone, and my siblings live 3000 miles away. Naturally the girls spend Christmas Day with their mother & grandparents, so I worked from Christmas Eve through Boxing Day.

But there’s a happy ending to this sob-story: on 2nd January I’m off to LV with a very good friend (& another lapsed Blonde) that I met all those years ago.... at TC’s

All the best to you and Blondites for 2019

[tikay]

Blast from the past

Blimey, it's a good few years since I last saw him.

Where was this - Genting Luton?

[tikay]

Came here to put up that photo of Tony - thankfully Chompy beat me to it as I’d have wasted at least an hour to work out how (not) to do it, and then just put a link up.... Great to see that he’s still getting out & about - and winning comps.

I began playing poker more seriously at TC’s poker club in Maidenhead however many years ago, until he could no longer afford to keep it running. Then I jumped into the Luton aquariums.

Like you, Tony, I regard Christmas as something to get to the other side of without too much emotional suffering. Separated from my wife, my folks are both long gone, and my siblings live 3000 miles away. Naturally the girls spend Christmas Day with their mother & grandparents, so I worked from Christmas Eve through Boxing Day.

But there’s a happy ending to this sob-story: on 2nd January I’m off to LV with a very good friend (& another lapsed Blonde) that I met all those years ago.... at TC’s

All the best to you and Blondites for 2019

Vegas in January? Lucky man. I've never done that, bet it's lovely.

Dare I ask who the lapsed blonde is? Swerve it if you wish, & have a great trip.

PS - HNY.

[tikay]

How 'PokerStars-y' is it over there these days Pops? Got many Stars folks in the Leeds office? Are they changing much up? Is there much rivarly between the sky folks and the stars folks aka:

Morning Barry.

Hard to say really. I've been keeping my head down & getting on with my job. Who'd have thought I'd end up working for 'Stars?

The whole thing, before & after TSG, has been amazing really, I've had a ringside seat watching the rise & rise of SB&G. They were a little subsidiary of Big Sky when I joined 12+ years ago, then they went independent, then TSG came in. It'd been amazing to witness the whole story. I enjoy business talk, so I've been very lucky to see it all.

We used to see much more detail in the numbers, especially Bet. Every day we would all be told what our liabilities were, how much we (SB&G) stood to win or lose if results went for or against us. Swings of £10 or £15 milly per day were better than having a bet, it was incredible to see it all pan out.  Knowing that 9 of the Top Ten most popular bets had won & sweating the tenth was better than having a bet myself. 

These days, due to limitations due to being part of a Listed Company means we don't see the numbers in detail any more - that would break all the rules, but we still see how we are doing on a weekly basis v Forecast, & Y-O-Y etc.

From what I can see, TSG don't interfere much. The Leadership Team has changed a fair bit though, for a variety of reasons. Sad in some ways, but understandable.

Most of all though, it's the media sentiment towards bookmakers at the moment that fascinates. Until 3 or 4 years ago, it was the Payday Loan businesses that exercised the media, Wonga etc. Then they got tired of that & switched to bookies, initially with FOBT's etc, & then the bookmaking industry generally. It's all a bit weird to be part of an Industry of which there is so much negativity. A bloke does his bollox on as FOBT & everyone gives him sympathy. I'm not quite sure that equates. And of course punters love to knock bookies. They still bet with them though. "Traders" seem to be mocked & despised by all, but those who criticise have no idea how it works these days in the retail gambling environment. Bless.

Anyway, forget all that. For readers who don't know Barry, here's his Dog. What's not to love?

Click to see full-size image.

Yeah I'm a stats nerd too, I would have loved that top ten bet stuff. When Playtech bought PokerStrategy the same thing happened, we were less privvy to interesting information, things much more compartmentalised.

Were you serious about getting a dog in 2019 as per your tweet? I hope so, I reckon you would rather suit one. They truly are a joy, they make you smile, great company, they get you outdoors and they NEED you, which is quite an important thing I think.

When I got Charlie (almost exactly 10 years ago) I got some great advice on training dogs from EvilPie and RedDog here, no doubt they would give you a few pointers.

Honestly, seeing the detailed number every day was utterly fascinating. Very educational, too.

I was perusing something the other day & came across an article on Poker News, back in, I think, 2010 or 2011, & the byline was Barry Carter. I had clean forgotten you used to be with Poker News.

Here, have a trip down Memory Lane;


https://uk.pokernews.com/editors/barry-carter/



Does Tony G still have action in Poker News? He once owned a share of blonde. Now there's a story to make my eyes water......We got shafted, obv, but I actually quite liked him.

Me, get a dog? It's 100% on the Bucket List, for sure. It'd mean a whole lifestyle change, but it'll happen. 

PS - In case we don't chat before, HNY mate.

[tikay]

We may need a ruling from 2-6, aka Tal bloke, but I'm not at all sure "excess Yorkshire pudding" makes any sense whatsoever. Never been known.

There are very few arguments of which one would want to be on the opposite side to Tikay, Doobs and Red Dog (the Balthazar, Caspar and Melchior of blonde). This isn't an exception.

I've done my research, asked around and conducted the leading journals.

The correct number of Yorkshires to eat is the amount there are.

Ha, superb - & correct - answer.

I wonder if I was the only one who needed to use google to see who or what Balthazar, Caspar & Melchior were.

Quite embarrassing really, especially as I once played one of the Three Kings in a Nativity Play at school. I had exactly one short line to speak, but I had, at the time, THE most fearful stutter. That sure went well.

[DaveShoelace]

How 'PokerStars-y' is it over there these days Pops? Got many Stars folks in the Leeds office? Are they changing much up? Is there much rivarly between the sky folks and the stars folks aka:

Morning Barry.

Hard to say really. I've been keeping my head down & getting on with my job. Who'd have thought I'd end up working for 'Stars?

The whole thing, before & after TSG, has been amazing really, I've had a ringside seat watching the rise & rise of SB&G. They were a little subsidiary of Big Sky when I joined 12+ years ago, then they went independent, then TSG came in. It'd been amazing to witness the whole story. I enjoy business talk, so I've been very lucky to see it all.

We used to see much more detail in the numbers, especially Bet. Every day we would all be told what our liabilities were, how much we (SB&G) stood to win or lose if results went for or against us. Swings of £10 or £15 milly per day were better than having a bet, it was incredible to see it all pan out.  Knowing that 9 of the Top Ten most popular bets had won & sweating the tenth was better than having a bet myself. 

These days, due to limitations due to being part of a Listed Company means we don't see the numbers in detail any more - that would break all the rules, but we still see how we are doing on a weekly basis v Forecast, & Y-O-Y etc.

From what I can see, TSG don't interfere much. The Leadership Team has changed a fair bit though, for a variety of reasons. Sad in some ways, but understandable.

Most of all though, it's the media sentiment towards bookmakers at the moment that fascinates. Until 3 or 4 years ago, it was the Payday Loan businesses that exercised the media, Wonga etc. Then they got tired of that & switched to bookies, initially with FOBT's etc, & then the bookmaking industry generally. It's all a bit weird to be part of an Industry of which there is so much negativity. A bloke does his bollox on as FOBT & everyone gives him sympathy. I'm not quite sure that equates. And of course punters love to knock bookies. They still bet with them though. "Traders" seem to be mocked & despised by all, but those who criticise have no idea how it works these days in the retail gambling environment. Bless.

Anyway, forget all that. For readers who don't know Barry, here's his Dog. What's not to love?

Click to see full-size image.

Yeah I'm a stats nerd too, I would have loved that top ten bet stuff. When Playtech bought PokerStrategy the same thing happened, we were less privvy to interesting information, things much more compartmentalised.

Were you serious about getting a dog in 2019 as per your tweet? I hope so, I reckon you would rather suit one. They truly are a joy, they make you smile, great company, they get you outdoors and they NEED you, which is quite an important thing I think.

When I got Charlie (almost exactly 10 years ago) I got some great advice on training dogs from EvilPie and RedDog here, no doubt they would give you a few pointers.

Honestly, seeing the detailed number every day was utterly fascinating. Very educational, too.

I was perusing something the other day & came across an article on Poker News, back in, I think, 2010 or 2011, & the byline was Barry Carter. I had clean forgotten you used to be with Poker News.

Here, have a trip down Memory Lane;


https://uk.pokernews.com/editors/barry-carter/



Does Tony G still have action in Poker News? He once owned a share of blonde. Now there's a story to make my eyes water......We got shafted, obv, but I actually quite liked him.

Me, get a dog? It's 100% on the Bucket List, for sure. It'd mean a whole lifestyle change, but it'll happen. 

PS - In case we don't chat before, HNY mate.

Don’t quote me on this but I believe he sold his shares to PokerStars about four years ago when he went into politics

[tikay]

Tragedy, on tragedy, on tragedy.

In February, 2 bothers, aged 2 & 6, were killed by a speeding car in Coventry.

The driver, a career criminal, high on drugs, with no licence or insurance, was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

3 months later, the father of the two kids hanged himself, he could not cope with the grief.

On Christmas Day, the killer was found dead in his prison cell. 


It's all too terrible to imagine.

[tikay]

Think we need cheering up after that.

I did rather enjoy this photo of Knickers, a giant cow who lives in Australia.

Click to see full-size image.

[superwomble]

Morning Alll,

    I've been away for a few days, and came back expecting insightful banter about drones and the authorities; Bonkers Brexit chatter and maybe the
ocassional Festive iirony; but no, nothing.

    Have I missed a memo, have we gone mute for Xmas?

Well I for one will be raising a glass (or four) to you all, and especially Tony for adding colour, humour, sarcasm in equal measures to my mundane existance.

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Dave & Sue  

Thanks Sue & Dave, have you had your 25th Vegas trip yet?

I saw this photo the other day & it reminded me of a Vegas oddity....

Click to see full-size image.

Of course, the real Vegas sign is amazing, in that even now, there are queues all day every day to get photos taken in front of it. All very odd, but we are no different, bet I've taken or had taken a dozen photos in front of it over the years.

Reminded me of a photo I posted on Facebook during my first trip to Vegas: my wife and I under the brown Las Vegas sign, with the arrow cropped out, with the caption, 'Don't think much of this famous Las Vegas sign.' The height of humour obvs, but made better by a mate of mine who helpfully commented that there was a better one elsewhere and gave the address of the main one.