blonde poker forum

Thinking about going to this.

Anyone played it before?

Standard of play equivalent to UKIPT or worse?

Buyin at the venue? Or in advance?

Any other thoughts?

TIA

played it last year and other spanish tours.

spanish players are highly emotional and whilst the boom has taken off over there not many have emerged as good players.

lots of ept regs will likely go and play it first though.

Did you buy in early, or was turning up and paying at venue ok?

Last year queuing on the day was the worst thing ever. They filled up and turned people away, which I was part of, although they made room later. I think you can buy in through stars this year, or at least for the EPT events and I've heard they will be improving registration this year at the event too.

Last year buying in was a pain. Took over 90 mins and 4 different queues and I was there pretty early.

However I think it was the first event they used the PS Live Card.

Was a great event tho and aim to be there again this year

Bugger only knows where I've put that PS Live card.

Sigh.

Did they allow you to buyin the day before?

Remember I turned the day before for a tournament about 8 years ago and they said I couldn't buy in until the day of the event.

Assume things have improved since then.

dont buy in at venue its fucking havoc

I played the one in Ibiza. Bought in the day before, took 2 mins and no problems

Would imagine its pretty soft. Did not like the casino, the dealers are very slow IMO and most of them look like they don't want to be there.
Also be careful to watch out for the angle shoots with the foreigners, I had to report someone whilst I was there playing the Ipops, the T.D didn't seem to care too much either.

Gl if u go, if u can win a package the hotel they give u is AMAZING! X

Also make sure to try the seafood on offer down the road, they have a lot of it on display, looks beautiful :)

All tourneys under 5 k are all soft and full of locals that are fish
Lots of value everywhere

Yes, went about 8 years when they had the Heads Up tournament.

The fresh calamari was incred.

Was that the year Jeff Kimber beat Dan Carter, or when Chubbs Nowab finished runner-up to the Scandi?

Was the year Carlos Mortensen threw his weight around to keep the casino open an hour later than it should have been to finish his match without it becoming a crapshoot.

My guess of 8 years ago was pretty good.

It was 9!

http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=6887

Mark Banin beat Devilfish in the semi final!

I asked him about that match, he was gutted he didn't get more tv time :D

Believe you can buy into all tourneys with debit card and they charge 0.75% vig. Can't see a problem with cash on the day, though there could end up being a lockout for 1b. Surely the best way is just to deposit into Stars and then direct buy in through there.

Queues may depend on how many people lost their PSLive card!

Looking forward to it. I love Barcelona!

Four of us are coming down form the vic to crush this event. Am expecting to be sitting at the bar on the seafront after a couple of hours after the mtt has started!

One of the best cities in Europe no doubt!!

I remember buying in for the EPT and cashing out was a hassle but not inbearable.

Ill be there for it all... See you there :)

pretty thin mate

Anyone been to Portaventura and know how hard it is to get there from barcelona?

Lol it was a min cash and I did chunks on the trip in pieces :(

You might be a good poker player but your command of the English language leaves a bit to be desired

"inbearable"?

Intolerable or unbearable.

tut tut

buying in was a complete shambles last year. i don't have a problem with the PS live card, that part of the process was smooth/fine, but the casino is responsible for the cash.

i heard you can buy into all events on pokerstars and would encourage everybody to do this.

It doesn't speed anything up. I bought in online last year and actually waited longer as casino has to find you on an extra list.

All Ot does is guarantee your seat.

oh, dont know if situation has improved but catalonian police hadnt been paid in 6months last time this was on; was some VERY shady stuff going on outside nightclubs etc. Just be gaurded and alert, stories of fake police and all sorts of scams/bs happening. still a sick city though.

Unbearable* :D I was on my phone

Magnifico El Camello.

Love the place but dodgy as hell - Lawrence 'The Paperboy ' got mugged just outside casino after winning an EPT side event.

yeah you can just leave your money inside on deposit in 500 euro increments. I would advise never carrying money outside unless you are directly going to get a taxi from right outside.

It was bad 10 years ago when I went.

Ridiculous the situation is still bad all these years later.

I rented a boat in the harbour at Port Olimpic a few months ago for WPT (not nearly as balla as it sounds!)

Had to run the gauntlet of all the guys outside everytime I walked down to the boats, they just latch on to you and follow you, first try to sell you beer and then drugs and then just follow you. Eye contact or stopping is fatal. Anywhere along the beach is the same.

I've lived in some rough places like South London and Oakland, California and even so I was intimidated.

Such a great city but yeah, if you leave the casino walking with cash in your pocket at night then you are taking a big risk. Be sensible everyone and GL at Estrellas Keith...

gtfo!

It was only a small one!

Pretty awesome to wake up and go on the deck every morning and then just walk three minutes to the casino!