blonde poker forum

(http://www.easybizchina.com/picture/product/201102/24-f14f01dd-ce07-4419-a7c1-c6fcc18ea368.jpg)


A personal look at some of the characters and stories that have made blonde Poker in 2011. Of course I cannot include everyone, apologies for that....and also apologies to tikay. Just ignore the thread, sir.


First then, who will be behind door number 1....

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wlYDdZEKUec/TPR3GIgXSuI/AAAAAAAAAz4/mbrRRsqC36I/s1600/number_one_smooth.jpg)

1

George2Loose aka Chuckles aka Rupinder Bedi

The end of 2011 sees a man transformed. Notorious whinger and serial bad beat specialist no more 2011 has been a successful poker year for George

A run at the UKIPT Leaderboard title, with no less than four cashes (usually min cashes, but ignore that) over the season and then a £19,000 score in the GUKPT Blackpool Main event followed by his ultimate achievement...getting over 50 blondes to do a Sheep Quiz.

I am not sure how much of an impact his sessions with Jared Tendler had, but from the outside the change has been marked.

(http://blondepoker.com/files/images/rupinder_bedi_0_0.jpg)

Here is his blonde diary, which he tries hard to give up, but usually returns to http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=51308.855

An absolute honour to be first on the list.

I will be doing an update on the thread as to how much that little book and session with Jared has changed my life.

Hope 2013 is even more successful. I'll also be doing a review of the year in my diary.

Are you taking the year off?

 ;hattip; to you BTW a well deserved honour.

Hahah whoops. 2012 obv

popcorn.gif

Well deserved, & a great thing he did last night, with the Quiz jobbie, well done him, & thanks from all at blonde.

Nice one mr loose

Forward planning FTW - then you just make 2013 even better ldo.
Good start to calendar.

How unusual, a man coming first. Well done anyway George.

Liking this thread already Tighty, who have you assigned the 25th to: the birth of Jesus Christ? Should be interesting.

well we know its not jason as he is never the second in coming

#confirmedbythewife

close.

I of course have some candidates in mind for the 25 days,.....people I want to look for are those who have added something to the community and the forum as well as poker achievements..people that have made blonde an interesting place to visit or for whom 2011 has been particularly challenging, yet have proved inspiring

Happy to receive ideas by PM, I won't have spotted everything

Regards

Esther Rantzen

The birth of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour could only be truly marked by Kinboshi.

just one problem with that suggestion

Fyp

Grats Georgie

 rotflmfao ;applause;  The gift that keeps on giving!

plus wan.


too good.

ffs... georges sheep quiz done and dusted lets move on with reds....the jokes gone.....
oh no lets bring it up in the bloody advent calender and get 24 more days out of it. :(

pretty sure we can wangle teh 12 days after xmas too  :P

Banned twice this year and now that I could use a month off, there is never any mOds round when you need one :)

I'm here, you just have to say the word....

Agreed. It's not like Jason would bring something up again & again. ;)

..and you will be healed? (Dodgy reference to Catholic Communion prayer for any non catholics here)

Oh God dear, don't get me into religion. Did you know half the world are not aware that were it not for religion, we'd be spared Christmas? And for that, I will never forgive religion.

Good luck this weekend - hope to pop up there tomorrow, so make sure you are behaving.

x

Or your good self.

and behind door number 2....

(http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/81664/81664,1197218939,3/stock-vector-number-christmas-tree-decoration-part-of-a-full-set-vector-7665817.jpg)

(warning, be careful when googling "Christmas number 2" on google images.....)

2


is Glenn "nirvana" Henderson

Earlier this year nirvana spent seven weeks in hospital. He explained why in a post in April

Quote from: nirvana on April 12, 2011, 02:07:22 PM
Thanks everyone, I wanted to say the good wishes are very much appreciated without just trying to extend the diary de-rail but since its Claire's - meh , whatever :-)

Hopefully in a couple of weeks I will have been fitted successfully with a LVAD device which is pretty much the only short term treatment option I have. Should allow a decent quality of life.

Was first diagnosed with heart failure (dilated cardiomyopathy in 2003) but it had never restricted me from playing cricket, golf etc - not a smoking or liefstyle induced condition and bizarrely (given diet and smoking) I had completely clear arteries, low colesterol, good results when lungs tested etc.

One poss is hereditary as my Dad had the same form of heart failure and ultimately he had a transplant back in 1991

Got a few bouts of breathlessness in December and then went rapidly downhill from there, lparticularly from around mid-feb onwards. Ended up being off work for the first time in my life (at home for about 4 weeks feeling shizzle), couldnt really walk more than 50 yrds without needing a break, and played my last game of poker arpund 7 weeks ago at the Circus in Luton, oh yeah, bag for 3rd innit. Would like to play again and hope that will be one of the things I can still easily do in the future - got to spread the money round the poker community :-)

Anyway, from a slightly selfish point of view I thought if I write this down once I won't have to do it in dribs and drabs over time to people - right time for Countdown - love daytime telly now !

See you all at the poker sometime soon I hope and thanks again

As a noted bon viveur, here is a rare picture of Glenn pre-op without a glass of Merlot

(http://blondepoker.com/blondepedia/images/photos/photo_7193.jpg)

Glenn has returned to the tables since, at Luton and elsewhere, though has yet to reach the heady heights of his revolutionary deal with peter Wigglesworth at the DTD Deepstack last year.

Look around the forum though, search the last posts of nirvana and there you will find a stream of bon mots, diadems of corruscating brilliance, usually aimed in the deserving direction of The sicilian, Chompy, pizzled and celtic which very much confirm that the man is back on form as noted company both on the table and on the forum.

Long may it continue, and best wishes for continued health recovery in 2012 

Nice one Glenn.  Surprised he hasn't offered to chop the remaining 23 days with everyone else on blonde yet.

Long may it continue, and best wishes for continued health recovery in 2012


Good health, wealth and happiness Glenn, for 2012 and onward.

I'm sure Glenn wll be suitably embarrassed, but here's to his continued recovery, & good health. Where would we be without his biting social comment?

And without Glenn, we would not have been treated to this incredible piece of writing by Tighty......

search the last posts of nirvana and there you will find a stream of bon mots, diadems of corruscating brilliance

Excellent!

If ever anyone deserved to be a number 2, then its you glennda. What an ok bloke you are.

Embarrassed? He probably nominated himself ;)

And +1 to what vinnydonk said

meh, won't be buying my advent calendar from the pound shop next year. could've had 2 choccies if I'd bought one from tesco, instead I've got george and glenn

The way I see it I'm 24th rather than 2nd, furry muff and still ahead of George2Sheep, about right really :-)

Thanks Richard and others, I feel genuinely quite touched by this bit of attention.

I set my focus on becoming a troll some months back and whilst it's enjoyable, at some level, I hope people would always recognise that I really, really, really like this forum.

Collectively it's like the imaginary friend I never had. Such intelligence, wit & humour frequently here.

Another great thing about this community is that whichever 25 fun picks Richard makes, it will be august company - just the way the place is.

Thanks again for making an old man happy (Caroline?)

What a great Post. And that's why Tighty stuck you in it, I guess. At the 2nd nut low spot.

One of the things I like about Glen is, he knows how to argue like a gentleman.

He makes his point without deliberately causing or taking offence. He's changed my point of view on several occasions.

Damn him.

Top bloke, always a pleasure to share a table with - continued good health in 2012 Glen

2 top quality blokes to start off with :) Keep it going!

Behind door number 3.....

(http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/bloodua/bloodua1011/bloodua101100091/8162440-number-3--christmas-tree-decoration--part-of-a-full-set.jpg)

3

It was GUKPT Manchester earlier this year, and we were trying to get back into live updating a wider range of events helped by donations. I was committed elsewhere and I needed someone who wrote well, and was reasonably local, to do the weekend's update. I knew this person wrote well, and I knew that this person had a great sense of humour. I asked, they said yes.

It was 11.59am on Day 1a with play due to start in 1 minute. The new updater was a no show.

I turned round and in tottered a cross between Worzel Gummidge and Lily Savage. Peering down at me in impossibly high heels and blue spangly leggings was Caroline "Mouth" Cove .

(http://www.pokerpages.com/players/images/photos_200x250/122716.jpg)

"Alright, love, just off for a smoke, back in a sec" and off she went

Two days later I disappeared off to do my event and left Caroline to it. You wouldn't know from the quality of the irreverent updates but she did the weekend, I am reliably informed, on no sleep, a couple of bottles of brandy, and several visits to the local gentlemen's establishment.

Legendary.

A few weeks later we worked together at Luton. It was the first time I had to remove a fellow updater's posts to "deleted", and I found myself saying "Caroline, you can't say that" on a loop.

Since then Caroline has worked out where the line is, I have learnt not to fret and her updates have been superb and with that great quality of being completely natural. She rocks up, she says what she thinks, she gets the essentials of any update done on top. Then she goes and gets wrecked. An admirable attitude to life.

I gather that Caroline has been chosen to be the blogger on next year's new Genting Tour, and many congratulations to her for this. Warning to Genting: Cougar on the loose.

Hopefully we'll see her on the blonde updates from time to time next year too

In the meantime you can catch her DTD Deepstack updates on here over the weekend. Here is last night's (warning, prepare to chuckle) http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=55919.msg1464755;boardseen#new

 

Congratz to all so far.

bit harsh Asa.

Very well deserved, congrats.

At times too clever


Geo

+1

nice one caroline :)up

without taking anything away from the other updaters, the colour Caroline adds is something quite special imo.

Absolutely, though I'm not sure "colour" would be the correct adjective.

Thoroughly deserved, some character is Miss Cove. Once she overcomes her inherent shyness, you never know what may happen.

Don't know how I missed this until now! Liking the write up Tighty, and thank you all for the nice comments, especially you Asa.


I love doing the updates, and hope everyone takes them as they are meant - with a large pinch of salt!

You could be the Jeremy Clarkson of the poker world.
;)

Another excellent choice. Nh sir.

+1

behind door number 4 .................

(http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/81664/81664,1197304307,1/stock-vector-number-christmas-tree-decoration-part-of-a-full-set-vector-7696531.jpg)

4


Man Wins Poker Tournament.

So what? Happens every day of the year. Everyone has their day, right?

Well in my opinion 2011 saw something just a little special, and especially for blonde, when CambridgeAlex won the Summer DTD Monte Carlo, beating 251 others, including Matt Perrins Heads Up, to win £77,000 and change 

(http://img.uk.pokernews.com/w/articles/4e2d/149516702.jpg)

(http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/pictures/200/Alex%20Goulder.jpg)

Updated at http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=54369.0



On January 5th this year Alex started his diary on blonde

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=51305.5565

The first paragrah read as follows

"I hope this will be an interesting read and that it’ll offer something different to the already buoyant market for diaries as I don’t think there’s many entirely live players on here so that might provide something different. It'll be about a poshboy from cambridge trying to make it as a live pro living in the heart of gangsta nottingham"

Nearly 6,000 posts and 140,000 views later and we've been taken through 2011 with Alex. Of course the Monte Carlo win set him up but in that diary we have the highs and the lows of the poker year, bad months included all written with refreshing honesty.

A compelling read, and job done by the terms of reference of that first paragraph.

Accompanying his story are a cast of characters, many of whom are featured in the photo above, who in my opinion are one of the main reasons Alex has become increasingly successful. As well as the entertainment that the stories have provided us, they are quite a support network I think, and interesting to see the group become closer through the year.

I'd wager that there is another major win from someone in there pretty soon.

Well done this year Alex

Another fine selection, Tighty, I've always greatly admired the banter, demeanour, & youthful good looks of young Mr Deadman.

yes Alex has defo been a must read this year.  Excellent stuff.

Like.

Consider myself very lucky to actually be there on behalf of Blonde when he won. Ranks as one of my favourite updates ever.

What a year for Alex I remember reading his diary at page one and commenting how we come from different worlds and have read his diary everyday since.
One of the reasons I log onto blonde everyday.

Really nice and respectful young man.

Well done Alex

on the first day of the calendar I make a mental list of who I thought should appear.  100% so far.  Shoulda had a 24 way accumulator.

nice one Alex.

Yay very proud to have made an appearance :) Thanks very much Tighty.

It's been a rollercoaster year, some massive highs and lows, had 2k to my name a few weeks before the Monte Carlo, what a turn around.

Have to give a special thanks to James Keys and Keith Johnson, who back me, who gave me the chance to get back on my feet, I never would've entered the Monte Carlo if it wasn't for them. They got me playing 1/2 again and just totally sorted me out. I couldn't ask for better backers, and them being two of my closest friends is a wonderful bonus.

That fat wanker next to me sure helped in the tough times, but he's a good mate really.

They're all legends though and I'm very lucky to have such awesome friends & family and Hannah of course. 2012 here we come.

lol. ^^^ reminds me of Halle Berry's acceptance speech. You forgot to thank God! wp all who have appeared so far. some right heroes. Herbie for 24th Dec plz.

sigh :( nice rinse

thanks god as well

Behave guys. Would be like opening up the calendar and finding the chocolate is missing for some lol

whilst I know who you mean, with your circle of friends, you should clarify

wd on a great year mate. See you in Feb

:P

Your date of appearance should be in the pm you were sent herbie.

one of if not my fave blonde. think he can tweak a couple of things for next year and 2012 has alot of room for both achievement and progression.

much love x

Only dates in my pm's are the ones saying when the particular ban ends :)

next to me in the photo tighty posted.

agreed there could be a fair amount of confusion.

Who?

Have joined the gym since. Sigh. "Wanker" is still about right though.

before I started posting on blonde I read Alex's diary religiously. good inclusion ofc

great read and a nice kid. if a bit posh n that ;)

His butler updates his diary ldo.

I assumed that's what Jeeves was busy with, congrats on a good year Alex, glgl in 2012.

wtf is a butler? we don't have those in newcastle....

behind this door....

(http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/81664/81664,1197304307,3/stock-vector-number-christmas-tree-decoration-part-of-a-full-set-vector-7696528.jpg)

is............

Eso Kral

Eso - Richard Blacklock - has become a fixture on blonde during 2011, and indeed started one of the more eye-opening diaries on here in mid August

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=54701.1365

(http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/6858/img2152sc.jpg)

The diary is a real study in contrasts. Here we have a devoted family man, a professional man (well, an estate agent) talking about his gambling and degenerate tales mostly past and occasionally present, meaning that as a reader opening up the diary you are never quite sure what you are going to get.

Richard's impact on blonde has been felt in a variety of ways. All those who have followed his tips, notably on Kiss a Prince and Sirius Prospect, will be nicely up.  I know also I have followed vicariously the spin up attempts featured on the Betting Tips board, and most weekends the "both teams to score" accumulators that have paid off several times.

Furthermore Richard has been an unfailing and generous contributor to the live updates each month.

I was reminded by him on Friday that he first featured on the blonde live updates in December 2010. He made the DTD Deepstack final, and did a 400,000 stack in with 9-3 off. I was also reminded of the choice phrases I used to describe the spew. Oops.

From what I can tell, 2011 sees Poker end on a high for Richard with his recent Friday win at Luton.

One of blonde's good guys.

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

TYTY for the inclusion which is very generous!!

#gonnabeabig2012

Massive love to the man they call Eso Kral. Obv should have included his tash photo then we could question if the child is really his etc.

Congrats Eso Kraut ;)

Congrats fella...

Well done - you are a breath of fresh air here, original, unusual, different, & your stuff is well written & presented.

Special mention for your continued donations to the Live Updates, you have eased my liability considerably, thank you!

well written and presented.. have you ever even read his diary?? took him 3 months to learn how to use spaces and paragraphs and he still hasn't got the handle on using quotes. Don't get me started on the spelling. He is very generous though.  ;)

Well done Rich, fully deserved for your openness alone. All the other stuff just icing on the cake.

WP. pretty stundard,

Gogo Luton regs!

.

lol could have been either of us Chops, ps good to meet you last night!!

Worthy addition ;hattip;

Likewise sir. Are you gonna be a Luton semi reg next year? If so I'll rope you in for the Fantasy comp. £50 a list. A proper degen would go for ten lists minimum imo.

Enough withn the spam, that's my territory.

Congrats to all the adventers, all immensely well deserved IMO

Great choices so far Rich. Imagine that lot wrestling in baked beans....

Wiiiii eso kral top bloke and one of the best of blonde.
Is this in any particular order coz so far you have made 4 excellent picks and must surely go down hill from here :(

It is in a sort of order, leading up to primus inter pares on Dec 23 and 24. All in my opinion of course


As before, willing to take PMed nominations...

I'm still musing over this particular statement.....

Of course I cannot include everyone, apologies for that....and also apologies to tikay. Just ignore the thread, sir.

Pretty worried why Tighty felt the need to apologise in advance. Dread to think what reprobates he may have in his list.

fyp.

fantastic nice to open door no 5 and find Mr  kral, his diary especially at the beginning was a real eye opener

just had to keep looking for new posts and more tales.........only spoke to the man a handfull of times but i already class him as a friend  a top top bloke.

5 top quality people hats off to you all

speshly Caroline, god that women cracks me up

which one so far hasn't been excellent? ;)

I'm pretty intrigued too - I had an idea of 9 people, I think, that I was expecting to see, and 5 of 'em have gone already.......

Excellent choices so far Tighty

Congrats all

Lol. Honest mistake :) 4 excellent and 1 excellent plus then

So many blonde heroes itt. All gonna smash up 2012

anyone wanna gamble on the numbers? £100 on which blonde is which date, most binks wins?

all top ppl in this so far, cant be arsed to requote this but something kinbosh said on page 2 made me crack up.

Eso Kraut - top fella from what I can see and I've only met him a couple of times, very genuine guy.

Loving this calender.

Still trying to decide what number Herbie will be?

Looks like Alex has just got a hold of Tighty's mobile...

If Dubai doesn't make an appearance, we riot.

Enjoying reading this thread and the fact I've heard of most of the entries so far makes me think I must be reading more on here. I was completly hooked on Rich's diary from the start and now check it regularly for tips of course.

Known George for a while and successfully managed to avoid Caroline live after upsetting her online and thinking she is one hell of a scary woman!

Congrats to all so far and wp Tighty.

Come on tighty let's be on. Some of us need that chocolate fix of the advent calendar.
Was you one of these parents that makes the kids wait till after breakfast to open their Xmas prezzies :)

behind door number 6...........

(http://www.dreamstime.com/christmas-alphabet-number-6-thumb16640077.jpg)

Lol must have been so upsetting I blocked it out ;) I tend to react to stuff instantaneously and then forget it two minutes later don't worry.

6

It's early 2011. 2010 had been a tough year in major tournaments. He'd lost his sponsorship deal.

He is invited to a meeting in a Luton hotel room with tikay. Not a prospect that would send many people a-quiver, but needs must.

A couple of hours later a deal is done, and he is now sponsored again

(https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTy30_QsSi6MgGXlZV5FKwQ8Nc52zEGnwdahFQcBW0kbP_1H7z8hQ)

The rest, as they say, is history

Julian and Sky Poker partner and during the next nine months Julian returns dramatically to form

In the summer he wins the DTD Monte Carlo alongside Sunny Chattha and Tom Macdonald, helped the golden staking money of Mr Kendall

In the autumn he wins his third GUKPT at Coventry. Three final tables, three wins, to achieve an unprecedented treble. Particularly unprecedented as he was dressed as Marcel Marceau when doing so.

(http://img.uk.pokernews.com/w/articles/4e9d/61f35424b.jpg)

Of course some of this success comes at a cost. No longer can julian be referred to as the "nicest man in poker" as he cusses his way across the British felt, leaving a trail of former acolytes trembling in his wake.

Over and above his live success, and I can only comment from an outside perspective here, but Julian has been a model ambassador for the site that sponsors him. Works extremely hard, and a constant presence on their tables. Much improved on the television shows, willing to give his time to recreational players at the Sky Poker tour events and I would imagine Sky are over the moon with their first experience at a big name sponsorship.





 

Good choice, top fella, lots of kids.

Probs the rudest man i have ever played with, all round terrible role model in both normal life and poker. Shouldn't be allowed to view this thread let alone appear in it.... WP Sir. Hero.

 rotflmfao

and +1

this obv

Truly deserved even though he's lost his tag as the nicest man in poker

Wtf. Surely this is some sort of cruel joke. Should have been  Xmas eve or day IMO.
Obv well deserved and would have been sheep answer to "who should be in the calendar"

Top bloke and well deserved.

Top pick, congrats sir.

Geo

oh wow, didnt have him in my 25. played with him in rio, v.nice guy and obv got skills to paiiiiii the bills.

are you in your 25?

finally, a worthy entry.

could i get 10 calendars please...post haste,

usual address

lol million

That's the kids' xmas pressies sorted then?

Can't be.  Not enough calendars.

Congrats on a good year Julian, well deserved.

Acceptance speech so casual and befitting.

wp sir. have a better 2012 if possible!

I've never forgiven you for those pocket threes, but congrats anyway....  I suppose.

Top Man like his dress sense!

Congrats Mr Thew

just goes to show what rungood can achieve! wp jules solid 2011

Wp yo yo - A genuinely honest decent man, I am and always will be your number one fan! goood luck 2012 Xx

Congrats to the current entrants - all very well deserved and a great idea whoever came up with it to do a blonde advent calendar!

 ;iagree; ;iagree;

Now I don't feel so bad for asking you where your string of onions were at DTD last weekend.


WP :D x

Does anyone ever have a chocolate left in the calendar at 10.30 am?

Only Red Dog has worse timing :)

Behind door number 7?

(http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/bloodua/bloodua1011/bloodua101100094/8162439-number-7--christmas-tree-decoration--part-of-a-full-set.jpg)

Go on

is Paul "Brummieboy" Nash

Back at this summer's WSOP, Brummieboy was staked on blonde into a variety of events. We did not know at the time, as the legend of tikay's staking money was not yet established in the poker ecology (copyright pleno), but we soon all knew the result

In WSOP Event Number 38, Brummieboy finished 5th for over $123,000

Here he is, clearly delighted at his achievement

(http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/41576_2547785346_680_n.jpg)

Earlier in the year Brummieboy was also making a run at the UKIPT Leaderboard, including a final table at Manchester.

The aftermath of his WSOP result was mostly described in the Funk thread as "epic"

TitaniumBean tells us the story

"cliffs on brummie's head


drink

amazing club

vinnie phones your voicemail

brummie stands still

brummies legs go from under him

brummie is on floor

brummie goes to hospital

Claypole and I sit and watch him snoring for 3 hours

Brummie just grins alot with no idea where he is

Brummie is now back at his hotel with what I can only assume is a massive headache!"

(http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=54020.0;attach=32286;image)


Returning home he put his money to good use

"Haven't got a lot to show for my result, but at least I've paid my mortgage to April next year have paid off 2/3rds of my credit cards/loans and have bought new doors and windows for the house."

but a few months later

"Fedup with my roll being so low and unable to grind a normal Sunday schedule, had so many unexpected expenses over the last month or so and my current poker bankroll is less than required"

and he is now being staked again by both a 3rd party organisation and blondes on various staking board threads

It's good to see that he appears to be on an upswing and enjoying his poker again 
 

Interesting! I'm a advent calendar guessing fish!

Great guy though and sick grinder, 9-9 ftw!

Good luck in 2012 mate, hope you win lots and lots of dorras.

Yep, he is partly responsible for one of the greatest nights of my life, and for that, I will be forever grateful. A great guy IMO.

Well done Paul!

Brummieboy could probably do without the attention of being in the advent calendar - he said 'I need to be in that calendar like I need a hole in the head'.

Great bloke, and fine addition to the calendar. 

Remember having quite a few beers and then trying to get back into the G Casino in Luton on a blonde Bash weekend.  A group of us managed to achieve this, but Paul was a little worse for wear and nearly careered through the front-desk as he tried to maintain a vertical posture.  He wasn't allowed in.

Me thinks he's better at the pokers than he is at the drinkings.

Strange that he is so crap at drinking when you think how big & fat he is.

Paul Nash is an amazing guy. You will never heard a bad word against him. He would not be in my calendar as he would take pride of place as the fairy on my Xmas tree. Up the Villa lol

I've made a handful of new, but very good friends as I've spent time playing poker this year - and Paul is at the top of that list. I'd never met him before we roomed, but made a lifelong friend who has been incredibly supportive to me this year on so many levels.....the most important being the extra 5% swap at breakfast on our own "black Wednesday" before his bink when morale was at an all time low. I remember when I busted, he had like 2000 chips and I proceeded to bust the Venetian as well.  All time low, numerous texts swapped - I won the Caesars comp for $7k, got back to the room, he had a stack to and the rest is history.

Funniest Brummie moment, well he wasn't there. Some of you remember he had a aggro hand where he made Melanie Weisner pass a massive hand, I'm shit at remembering hand details, but she was livid (in a nice way) after the hand when he told her after her exit in 12th ish.  Anyway, I bumped into her at the EPT having a ciggie with another online grinder and we discussed the hand, and the fact it was "Brummieboy" of online fame.  At this point she said words to the effect "Jeez, it was Brummieboy? I thought he was just some random, middle aged, overweight Brit football fan who couldn't make that  move"

Nice one mate.

was a lengendary night :P

Yes and this

strange how crap you are at eating when you think how big and fat you are..... oh wait....

Dunno how I've never met brummie!

Hero tho

Weee, I've only just seen this thread, huge honor to be one of the chosen ones.
It's certainly been an interesting year, how many staples do I need to lock up a place in next years calender?

It's took me 25 years to come to the same conclusion that I really am a lightweight with regards to drinking.
Big drinking session in Dublin with Mike Hill whereby I thought i was dyeing for about four days afterwards has led me to decide to be teetotal from now on.
Obviously allowed a couple of Guinnesses to get my iron intake though.

Vegas was so much better this year due to sharing with yourself and I would have really struggled lasting the six weeks in hotel rooms on my own.
Ditto about making a great friend, you'll have to look after me better when out drinking though..   

was absolutely insane lol

Loving the BrummieBoy pick as I can claim 1% of it!

Congrats Paul!

That needs to be retracted imo.

We dun good imo.


AndrewT wins as usual.

A real top bloke and deserving of a spot on the calendar.

Congrats Paul

Geo

Totally agreed.

Many congrats Paul

Really pleased for Paul, & this will have cheered him up no end. He's had a bit of a rough ride since Vegas, & is trying for that elusive bink to get himself back on his feet.

He's come really close to it a few times in the last month, & if the Gods of poker are a little kinder, he'll soon bink a biggie. He's in that huge 'Stars Tourney, be nice if it were that one!

My Vegas memory of him - & you understand I don't do the alcohol thing - was him chasing all over Vegas the very next day, to find me, & pay me my %. Camel also asked him if he could pay his % to me at the same time. So, at about 11am the very next morning, head splitting from both alcohol, & a bunch of stitches, he searched me out @ Caesars & paid the lot. I then had to sit on Camel's share - $6,000 - for a few weeks, befiore Camel arrived. It's so good to see such levels of trust. Subsequently, I've taken some of his Online action on a few occasions, & the money gets shipped the the very next morning. "Like".

Tighty really is excelling with this list, he's not put a foot wrong yet, wp him.

I'm sort of itching to ask him who the others will be, but determined not to. I have some "preferences" as to who I hope he includes, obvioisly. Memory issues apart, if 100 names were placed in front of he & I, I bet we'd both choose the same 20.

Awaiting the foot wrong choice :)

Chill. You're number 17.

behind door number 8?

(http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/81664/81664,1197464255,3/stock-vector-number-christmas-tree-decoration-part-of-a-full-set-vector-7744120.jpg)

8

is George Dickson

Geo the Sarge yesterday was thanked on a popular diary thread  "the omnipotent Geo, for his always fascinating and varied input"

Actually, he's Omniscient rather than Omnipotent, I think, but the sentiment is valid. After all someone has to allow our foremost diary writers to witter about ephemeral matters and feel that someone is listening......

However, he's not number 8 for being able to discuss hessian and cement, rather the impact this thread

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=54730.0

had on the forum in 2011, when Geo and Jack went Coast to Coast in September.

I am not sure it was the first time that I met Geo, but I first got an inkling that Geo was an unusual poster after the blonde bash held in Cardiff a few years ago. Everyone had gone home, I thought, as I sat in the lounge watching the NFL. Until Geo plonked himself down next to me.

He told me that he had spent the weekend, when not at the bash, in a bivouac in the shrubbery outside to save expenses and had one more night outside before he got an early morning coach back up to Scotland.

Such was the steely determination in his eyes that I think I batted off this news - of someone going to a social weekend and by choice sleeping outside under a bush - as completely normal.

As the years have passed on the forum we've got to know more of Geo, and a picture of a remarkable man has emerged. Only recently on one of the specialist minority-cement-bridge diaries he offered the following information alongside of pictures of himself in full regalia

"For the record, left to right General Service Medal (GSM - Northern Ireland) - 1st Gulf War - Accumulated Service Medal (accumulating more than 36 months on "operational" duty) whilst I completed 23 years service you will have no doubt noticed the absence of the Long Service and Good Conduct medal (LSGC)"

So back to the Coast to Coast.

(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/geo_album/030-1.jpg)

Through the thread linked above we vicariously shared the misfortunes that befell Jack and Geo along the way.

tikay described the thread as follows

"This is just THE best read ever on blonde, thanks guys, it is SO inspiring, you two guys battling adversity, blisters, Banjul belly, weather, wet clothes, fatigue, everything, & never once moaning or groaning, never been so inspired by anything"

He's right too. Along with one other thread, it typifies more than any other how blonde as a forum can be so much more than poker, where two men meet as part of a community and end up giving us a tale like this....

Sadly Jack had to pull out along the trip

"Failure wasn't something that I'd even given a thought to, barring a fairly bad injury. I'd looked on it as an enjoyable, if arduous holiday. The weather has changed all that and turned it into something akin to an iron-man challenge."

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3YBK-R503U

However Geo continued solo, and eventually made it across to the other coast 17 days later. He then posted up a series of brilliant pictures. The thread is well worth another look.





  

Cracking choice, Geo = Top man

Great write up, great guy.

Another excellent choice.  You're going great with this Tighty!

Superb selection, that Thread was the greatest.

Geo has really been a "sleeper" on here, gradually gaining authority.

He's never been an iota of trouble to us, though he's not afraid to pull me up when I misjudge something, as I often do. A "yes man"? I don't think so, & his proud boast that he could never get a LSGC is proof indeed, he can readily stick it in the eye of authority when so minded.

And this?

He told me that he had spent the weekend, when not at the bash, in a bivouac in the shrubbery outside

Awesome.

He truly is one of a kind.

I was in Edinburgh not so long ago, & had hoped to hook up with Geo, who had freely offered his time to show me around. Sadly, I had some probs, & it never happened. Next time, it will, I hope, & the drinks will be on me.

Very well done Geo. I doubt a single member here could have done that coast to coast walk.

Proper bloke, & a privilege to know him.

blonde causes me some headaches from time to time, & I often wish I was not involved. Blokes like Geo make it all worthwhile.

incredible adventure  - really enjoyed the thread -

Geo's version of camping is very different to mine

(http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/outragous76/glamping.png)

Geo is the man. he's Omniscient and Omnipotent.


When Geo spent the night is the shrubbery, I realised immediately that saving money wasn't the sole reason. It's wonderful to spend a little time away from the so called 'home comforts'. Geo enjoys dusting off his old skills and getting back to nature.

He's an adventurer at heart. One of these days I'm going to hang on to his coat tails and share one with him.

Och aye, nae doubt aboo' this entry. 

:)up

Agree with this, one of the nicest guys around in my opinion, always happy to have a chat and has a great outlook on things :)

Geo is a legend, great choice. Also Brummieboy. cracking entries from Tighty.

Geo is a great guy. Many Congrats.

Brilliant choices, brilliant thread.

Really haven't got a clue what Tightys intro means but wp, top man is Geo.

First time I met geo I didn't have a clue who he was. I was talking to someone alongside him and he just gave me a scowl and said 'you greekstein?'. Tell him yep and wait to see how I've upset him online but he was yanking my chain. Bastard.

Grats geo - top posting

There is a few of us ex service personnel on blonde but none like

Geo

I am completely in awe of the man truly amazing coast to coast expedition ........

Leethefish.

Top choice, top bloke!

Just back from the team "xmas" night out.

Absolutely wow!!

Many thanks and will respond more efficiently tomorrow.

(yeah, I'm pished at the mo)

Geo

behind door number...

(http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/81664/81664,1197464256,5/stock-vector-number-christmas-tree-decoration-part-of-a-full-set-vector-7744123.jpg)

is Rupert Elder

(http://www.pokerchanneleurope.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/MG_1269_Rupert_Elder_EPT7SAN_Neil_Stoddart.jpg)

Back in April former Economics student and then full time online cash game pro, Rupert won the 2011 European Poker Tour San Remo

Elder primarily played $2/$4, $3/$6 and the occasional game of $5/$10 no limit Hold’em cash games online but had recently started playing more tournaments with decent success. Just prior to San Remo he finished 80th at EPT Berlin netting him €10,000, which at that point was his best tournament cash. Then he completely obliterated this figure by winning a staggering €930,000 by besting a 987 strong field in picturesque Italy.

Since then Rupert has put up a series of consistent results including two WSOP cashes amongst them a top 150 finish in the main event and 12th at EPT Loutraki. He also had a deep run this week at EPT Prague.

You can see his blonde Poker well from earlier this year at http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=53282.0

In what has been a pretty spectacular year for live tournament success for blonde players, of course Rupert is right up there. Amongst all those successful tournament players we're very lucky that they contribute here. For example, of Ruperts over 1,600 posts on here, 527 are on Poker Hand Analysis board. Depth of contribution like that, from players like this, help make that the resource it is becoming.

Here's to more success in 2012 for Rupert.

Are these advent things 'ranked' in anyway? ie. is the Xmas day one going to be a mega star?

I'm just starting to realise my 7th place finish in SPT Leeds and subsequent mincash in the SPT main event is going to get overlooked....

Really nice guy who one day may not hate me :D

Was ITM in EPT last time I looked too.

[ ] shock

Not ranked as such, though I have them in an order that makes for narrative sense/a good thread (to me, anyway)

24th and 25th Dec are to my mind a bit special though, so you could say they are placed there to end the thread with a bang.

Think I know number 25 but won't spoil

U mean 24?

Rupert hates me also pleno

If rupert hates you paul ho, then I now hate rupert.

Hold on he hates pads too? I like him again.

:)

Wd rupert - sick year.

I don't think rupert as a hateful bone in his body.
Too many awesome players with massive results are nice guys these days.

How many people are thinking the monte Carlo is their best chance of getting in the calendar this year and if the monte winner is a blonde will they auto get in.

Please can Trigg or someone equally talented run a book?

Rupert - what a nice guy!

I havent spent too  much time chatting to him, but I am looking forward to when we meet as he def owes me a few drinks.

I have often thought that "talent spotter" and "horse selector" should go on my CV

He  is also average at poker to! #doesntturnuptillthe5k'sgooff!

Did some stuff with Rupert this year which didn't pan out as I'd have liked but can say he's definitely a "good guy", helped me out in many ways and really apprecaited it.

Keep crushing mate.

more great entries over the last few days.  None had occurred to me before but when I saw them I though "ooooh yes!" - wp all.  Cracking job so far tighty.  I've got a fair idea who the last couple of days might be, but then again I also had a tenner each on Jade and Craig to win the X factor :)

Very well deserved, also cliffs on Rupert vs Pads?

Rupert for president imo

+ dont wanna brag pads but he gave me a hug in london

:)up

What a great pick.

Rupert is in the same group as Thewy & Nick Hicks - he does not have an enemy in poker, he's universally liked & respected, & he has time, & a smile, for everyone. He does not belong in poker, he's way too nice. What a game he must have, too? Think he invented winning & losing with dignity, too, & he's king of GIQ. Take note kids, he's yoyr role model, if not model model.

Not perfect though, oh no. Can anyone find a photo of that quite horrendous cricket jumper he turned up wearing for Day 4 or 5 of the WSOP Main this year? I mean, what were you thinking, Rupert?

Top top bloke, & a privilege to know him, & a credit to our game.

>3<

behind door number 10

(http://frankigoodwin.frankiandjonny.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Number10-500x1177.jpg)

is SuuPRlim aka LilDave aka David Nicholson

(http://maylisboardman.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/carla-and-lil-dave.jpg)

He may only be 14 years old and six stone wet through, and gets his kicks out of playing with Jason Herbert- in-drag blowup dolls, but this is one smart cookie.

His blog confirms as such http://lildaveslife.blogspot.com/

On blonde Dave has over 3,600 posts, and to me they stand out in two areas

a) Firstly Poker Hand Analysis where over 1,873 posts he is tremendous value, dispensing advice and posting his own hands

b) Secondly in moral support for other players. One such post this week,to Sean "Zero Five" Belton,was typical

Sean! Saying you've made zero progress is basically in itself making zero progress, poker in a non-linear career, and as such measurements of progression are different to "normal"

you're saying because you have no more money, and are not playing higher stakes than at this point last year you have made no progress, what about they money you've spent on your lifestyle? What about the experiences you've had that have made both you're poker game and you're mental approach to the game improve? What about the fact you've played for a full year almost and not lost money - these are pretty massive developments and bigger comparably than someone like jungleman winning $1m online.

If you cant see that you have actually made progress, then you have made no progress. It's really hard to beat poker and the fact you've done it, regardless of the winrate/hourly or whatever is an achievement over a decent sample of time, use the experiences of the last "wasted year" to do better in 2012 or you'll fall off the cart basically.

now go do some fucking winning


and this one gave an insight into the man's mentality

excellent post greekface.

Even Greeky finds time in between paying stunning Asian girls £1.50 to nibble his earlobes to do some plenty of work on his poker, I think its really hard when you're playing exclusively live poker because the volume is less, the standard of play is generally lower and therefore doesn't stimulate your thinking as much and ofc there are none of the technical advantages to live poker (HH's, HEM etc) which make it a lot easier to analyse play. Basically, imo if you play live poker 100% you have to work even harder because working on your game is harder to do than online. This is one thing that Alex, to his credit, did extremely well from the offset and this is a definite factor in his accelerated success.

One of the biggest turning points for me in poker was when I first met Rob (patonius2000) 3 years or so ago and was stunned by the amount of technical work he does on his game (this allows him to make ridiculously complex PHA posts that sound so cool no-one stops to wonder what the hell it actually means lol), that was the point in my poker life i realised the difference between average players, good players and sick players and I was DEFO the first of those three. I figured being probably less talented naturally than Rob I should really be doing EVEN more, I think a full time pro player should spend 500hours a year minimum working on poker. IMO if you dont you're just playing a game, if you do then you're actually working, as fun as it is to play games unless you win a few EPTS in the next couple of months you aint gonna be able to make a living.

There is a lot more to pro poker than the cards imo, let not get stuck into this but you'll be surprised I think as you come across this, also never underestimate how much you can gain from any one person, my career has been advanced immeasurably by people who when I was a little more naive and arrogant I didn't realise could help - it's a scrappy world we're in Sean gotta grab every opportunity that crops up - WE'RE NOT IN AN OFFICE Tongue

Now go win, and then report the experience here because I'm starting to forget how as well lol



Yes Dave enjoys a good party but on here he is a rare breed. Time for everyone.If you've missed his posts sofar,watch out for them

Confirmed also crushes Vegas ridic hard. Hero.

Wiiii. Lildave is a Boss. I have learnt so much from Dave this past 12 months and really appreciate his patience. His blogs are the best stuff you can read on the net and being a fly on daves wall is so entertaining . Wp sir

Great pick. Lildave is definitely wise beyond his years. Very nice kid who seems to see the good in everybody, I would imagine he's a top mate to have in your corner in any circumstances.

Think I only have met LilDave once but he should be blonde of the year imo and when I have some time off over xmas I am going to read his blog from start to finish.
A confirmed hero and worthy addition like the rest!! except me obv!

I think LilDave has probably helped me out more than anyone on blonde and makes some absolutely heroic posts, both in terms of effort put in and comedy.

When a newbie came to pha and posted a basically boring bad beat/cooler story, he got a pretty woeful reaction from some posters and although the question posed was trivial, lil dave took the time to write a really long post, put very simply and understandably to help the guy progress and learn. it was awesome and inspired me to be write longer more thoughtful posts on pha to newbies than before, even when the topic is seemingly trivial.

His attitude and approach to the game and life is so admirable and utterly inspirational, if a little cavalier!

Well done Dave, we're lucky to have you here.

Thanks Al and big +1

LilDave is WINNING, <3.

Just to add some balance. I hate lil dave.

Only kidding, great guy, needs to stay out of swimming pools in nightclubs though.

Congrats Dave.

aww, nice comments from everyone thanks so much :)

I love blonde, if I didnt post here then I'd have a huge gap in my life i'd have to fill be either playing more, going outside, or god forbid writing more, longer blog posts....

and vinney I got riverman on side I can go in all the pools I want fankyooverymuch.

Ty Tighty, and rofl at selecting that picture - fwiw the doll's name is Carla and we had a wonderful time together, she looked a bit deflated afterwards though.

+1 top lad/legend.

Wow, 24 gotta be good now ;0)

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Lil d personally this year, what a great person!

He was singularly responsible to my biggest night of the year (and im certain i wont be the only blonde in that boat!) which in true Dave style started at 1am and ended at sometime my body doesn't care to remember!

What a life hero little Dave is! Takes adversity with a smile, brings merriment to all around him, and sticks two fingers up (ah well as many as he can.........)to bad karma and low morale

tbf guy even by my standards that night was bit overly degenerate.

Yeah great choices, Rupert comes across a really nice guy, and his results are real consistent - good choice.

Lil Dave another great choice,, awesome blog, really funny, yet inspiring, very good for Blonde  wp dave :-)

Fking <3 this guy :)

He replied to my PHA question. {{{{ It made me go all quivery}}}}

Well done LilDave, or 'pops' as I like to call you.

rofl, thanks son

lil dave is an absolute legend!

thanks for putting me in!! i'm sometimes a bit blunt with pleno/paulho but it's all in jest and a bit of a private joke with keysie!  I really like that jumper tikay, so i'm not sure I have time for you anymore.

 ;izimbra;

two good picks imo.

lil dave's posts in pha are great to read and his blog makes me want to be a little more baller, every day. can't say fairer than that.

Dave is a one of the nicest sickos around. A genius and an inspiration. Absolute hero.

Well deserved lil Dave, a great contributor on the forum and the best blog out there.

Top picks so far your tightness.

Behind door number 11...

(http://www.advanced-embroidery-designs.com/projects2010/12DaysChristmas-11.jpg)

is someone responsible for a 52 page diary, and it has received 15,000 views

It perhaps is not a diary read by everyone, but I open it up every few days, my jaw drops a little, a smile passes across my mouth, and I feel that the world is still spinning on its axis

For, as long as Stuart Hopkin is doing his best to keep the UK alcohol industries out of recession, it seems the normal order of things is intact

The first entry in his diary was a portent of things to come

Saturday - 01 January 2011
1 Pint of Kingfisher
1 Curry

Sunday - 02 January 2011
6 Pints of Guinness

Monday - 03 January 2011
4 Pints of Guinness
1 Havana 7 Year Old & Coke

Tuesday - 04 January 2011
Nothing

Wednesday - 05 January 2011
1 Can of Gaymers Cider
4 Pints of Guinness
1 Curry


2011 Totals
Kingfisher, 1 Pint
Guinness, 14 Pints
Gaymers Cider, 1 Can
Havana 7 Year Old, 25ml
Curries, 2


Recently though, there are some rather worrying signs. I mean, there are singular entries on some days..

(http://lh6.google.com/www.apat.com/R12PzO3MFyI/AAAAAAAAI0Q/Lj-JaWAME4A/s288/IMG_5781.jpg)

Friday 02 December 2011
3 Pints Sun Lik
3 Cocktail
1 Bourbon Sours
2 Pints Guinness

Saturday 03 December 2011
Nothing

Sunday 04 December 2011
3 Pints Guinness

Monday 05 December 2011
Nothing

Tuesday 06 December 2011
1 Bottle Stella

Wednesday 07 December 2011
4 Pints Guinness

Thursday 08 December 2011
1 Bottle Coors Light

and the annual totals, last I saw

2011 Totals
Absinthe, 25ml
Almaza, 4 Bottle
Ammaretto, 50ml
Apple Strudle Cocktail, 1
Appletons Estate Rum, 25ml
Asahi, 4 Bottle
Becks, 12 Pint, 4 Bottles
Birra Moretti, 1 Pint
Black Russian, Half Fish Bowl
Black Sambuca, 50ml
Black Sheep, 1 Pint
Blue Lagoon, Half Fish Bowl
Brahma, 2 Bottles
Brandy, 25ml
Brothers Strawberry Cider, 2.5 Can
Budweiser, 1 Can, 9 Bottles
Bulmers Pear Cider, 1 Bottle
Bulmers Toffee Apple Cider, 1 Bottle
Bundaberg Rum, 50ml
Captain Morgan Rum, 150ml
Carling, 8 Pint, 2 Cans
Champagne, 5 Glasses
Cisk, 5 Pints
Cobra,  4 Pints, 2 Bottle
Cocktail, 3 Jug, 11 Glasses
Cool Cuban, 1
Coors Light, 1/2 Pint
Corona, 41 bottles
Carlsberg, 1 Pint
Crabbies, 1 Bottle
Deuchars, 1 Pint
Desperados, 9 bottles
Dessert Wine, 50ml
Dirty Cinderella, 1
Efes, 23 Pints
Efes Dark, 3 Bottles
Fireside, 1 Pint
Flatliner, 1 Shot
Fosters, 1 Pint
Gaymers Cider, 9 Cans
Gaymers Pear Cider, 2 Cans
Green Light, 1 Cocktail
Grey Goose Pear, 25ml
Guinness, 723 Pints
Harvest Pale, 1 Pint
Havana, 150ml
Havana 7 Year Old, 350ml
Havana Super Special, 50ml
Jack Daniels, 1125ml
Jagerbomb, 26
Jagermeister, 125ml
Jamaica Juice Cocktail, 1
Kingfisher, 46 Pint, 1 Bottle
Koppaberg, 1 Bottle
Kronenbourg, 20 Pints, 2 Bottles
Lager, 21 1/2 Pints, 13 Bottles
Lemon Tart, 1
Mad Hatters Tea Party Cocktail, 1
Magners, 31 1/2 Pints, 1 Bottle
Magners Pear, 2 Pint
Malibu, 50ml
Martini Rosso, 50ml
Milky Bar, 1
Mojito, 2
Morgan Spiced Rum, 100ml
Peroni, 32 Bottles, 3 Pint
Pimms, 1
Port, 25ml
Prosecco, 1 Glass
Real Ale, 14 Pints
Red Stripe, 1 Pint, 2 Cans
Red Wine, 14425ml
Rose Wine, 1625ml
Rum, 375ml
Rum Benedict, 1 Cocktail
Rum Punch, 2 Glasses
Sambuca, 300ml
Sangres, 1 Bottle
Sangria Punch, 1 Glass, 1 Jug
San Miguel, 12 Pints, 4 Bottles
Snakebite, 4 Pints
Stella, 33 Bottles/Cans
Stella, 6 Pint
Stella Black, 1 Pint
Strongbow, 3 Pints, 4 Bottles
Sun Lik, 2 Pints
Tenessee twist, 1 Glass
Tequila, 125ml
Tia Maria Cocktail Shots, 2
Tiger, 7 Bottles
TsinTao, 5 Bottles
Tuborg, 8 Bottles, 3 Cans
Tuborg Gold, 2 Pints
VK Blue, 1 Bottle
Vodka, 1200ml
Vodka Shots, 5
Whisky, 100ml
White Russian, 1
White Wine, 12850ml
WKD Blue, 1 Bottle
WooWoo, 2 Glass
Worthingtons, 6 Pint
Zombie Cocktail, 1

Curries 35

Days off, 75

To 1000 Guinness =  277 pints / 52 days = 5.3 pints a day


all this despite (because?) of being with MrsHopkino all year.

Impressive stuff. It's a diary on here that is a little different, and speaks to the breadth of subjects on here.

So, Stuart Hopkin, raise a glass (or six) to your advent calendar entry, cheers

(http://www.dreamstime.com/drinking-wine-clinking-glasses-and-saying-cheers-thumb11761139.jpg)

(http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq267/ppokerfan/StuHopkin.gif)

Amazing how someone I met through a poker forum I now consider one of my best friends.

And they say you can't find love on the internet.

<3 Hopkin

Pretty disappointed Stu isn't take a leaf out of that smileys book to get his challenge finished.

Decent effort though Stu, wpwp.

<3 StuartHopkin too. One of the nicest guys I have met.

Congrats Stu.

Very well deserved one of the first blondes i met.. Hopkin is mint

FYP

Lolol vinny

used to liike him till he started to abuse me all the time

twat

Bawbag

  :)up


 :cheers:

pretty high amount of bopkin love from my corner too

herrrrrrro !

Leg End

The oldies will be familiar with a song that goes, "With all those dear hearts, and gentle people..."

When I read of Stu's exploits I always think, "With all those beer farts, and mental people....."


If someone is telling it like it is, that'll be Stu.

If someone is in your corner when your back's against the wall, that'll be Stu as well.

Proper bloke, him.

Top Man.

never met him but defo seems to be one of the gooduns.

sick brag

Nice pick again and genuine guy. But they say behind every great man is......  Well I can't remember what they say but I'm sure mrs hopo deserves some credit ;)

Very much this.

lol never read it and never met Stu but this diary sounds sick, will definitely have a look!

Stuart hopkin is  hero

he has locked me out of his house and stood me up for drinks, but he is still a fkn hero

An all round heroic friend - what a bawse!

So gay. Costs me a f**king fortune in holidays that I really didn't need to go on.

Bird Hopkin has helped save me from going totally busto now that he doesn't need quite so much man love.

Always good if you need a curry/drinking partner though.

he should drink more havanna7, but good diary!

A well-deserved accolade for blondes top tipster.

Hopkin is a massive hero and i will never knock another one of his tips/fancies again.

met him a few times top bloke

Stu woke me up this morning with....... Have you seen the Advent Calender?? I'm in it!!

So I had a wee read and wow some lovely comments, which I already know are very true!!

Stu is a great guy and he has always been there for me through thick and thin, always wants to make me smile!

I'am very grateful to have found a Stu....... If you haven't already........ Everyone should find themselves a Stu ;-)

Love you Stu xxx

Behind door number 12...is a slight change of plan

(http://weblogs.hitwise.com/robin-goad/12%20Days%20of%20Christmas.png)

Today at 11:11:11 AM »

Of course it's not every day that the majority owner of the site ships $800k+.

I think we might be hearing the phrase "rest" as much in 2012 on the blonde poker staking boards as we did in 2011

A well deserved win at the Bellagio, and I am sure everyone is delighted for James "Royal Flush" Dempsey. Except his ex-barber

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6498035591_76ec765aaf.jpg)

The WPT site gives us the weekend's amazing story

What began as an errand ended as a dream come true for James Dempsey.  The British poker pro came to Las Vegas as a favor to friend Chris Moorman, who needed someone to pick up some money for him.  Dempsey ending up picking up quite a nice payday for himself, winning the Season X Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic for $821,612.

As is always the case at the Bellagio, this year's final table wa sa stacked one with reigning champ and two-time WPT winner Antonio Esfandiari, November Niner Soi Nguyen, online poker phenom Andrew Lichtenberger, WPT Jacksonville Fall Series 4th place finisher Vitor Coelho, Dempsey, and WSOP bracelet winner Vanessa Selbst.

Esfandiari's hopes for a repeat victory were dashed early in the evening when he busted on just the tenth hand of play.  Dempsey was on the button and raised enough to put Esfandiari all-in from the big blind.  Esfandiari called with Aheart10spade and was out front of Dempsey's Adiamond4heart, but Dempsey managed to turn a four to send the Magician out in sixth place.

Just two hands later, Coelho joined Esfandiari on the rail when he put the remainder of his dwindling stack in with pocket eights, but couldn't hold against the overcards of Nguyen and Selbst.  Coelho's fifth place finish did help him move to second behind Will Failla in this year's WPT Player of the Year race.

The actin kept coming at rapid fire pace, with Selbst doubling thru Lichtenberger and Lichtenberger subsequently going out in fourth place when he four-bet shoved all-in holding pocket eights and Nguyen made a big call with pocket nines.  The hand sent Lichtenberger to the rail and sent Nguyen to the top of the chip counts going into three-handed play.

Dempsey evened up the stacks just six hand later when he made a big call of his own.  Selbst four-bet shoved holding Kclub9spade and Dempsey called her all-in with a dominating Aheart9club.  The 6diamond5heart4heartAclub board left Selbst drawing dead by the turn, and with the 5club on the river she headed out in third place.

Selbst's exit left Dempsey and Nguyen heads-up and virtually dead even in chips after just 41 hands of action.  From there, the speedy pace of the tournament screeched to a halt as the two players battled back and forth over the course of more than 80 hands of heads-up action.

The two sparred at first, but Nguyen eventually moved out to a substantial chip lead after getting paid off by Dempsey on a couple of big hands.  Dempsey managed to rally back though, doubling thru Nguyen to stay in contention, then doubling thru him again to take a big chip lead of his own.

That hand left Nguyen in a position where he needed a quick double up to stay alive.  It wasn't long before Nguyen took his stand, moving all-in over the top of a raise from Dempsey holding KclubJdiamond. Unfortunately for Nguyen, Dempsey called and had him dominated with KheartQclub.

Nguyen got lucky with the Jclub9heart6club and his pair of jacks remained out front with the 4heart on turn, but Dempsey hits a lucky card of his own with the 10diamond on the river to make a straight worth over $800,000 and a WPT title.

Dempsey's errand was an excuse to play in his first-ever WPT event.  Now he is a WPT champion and won't need any excuse to be back at Bellagio in May, when he will take his seat in the Season X WPT World Championship.

Here are the final table results from the Five Diamond Main Event:

1st: James Dempsey - $821,612 (includes $25,500 WPT World Championship seat)
2nd: Soi Nguyen - $517,478
3rd: Vanessa Selbst - $338,351
4th: Andrew Lichtenberger - $218,933
5th: Vitor Coelho - $159,224
6th: Antonio Esfandiari - $119,418

I think Flushy's intention is (was?) to play the Monte Carlo this weekend, so I am sure a number of you who will be there can add your congratulations in person   

Been away for a few days, so on catch up today.

Bopkin? Excellent inclusion, another good selection by Tighty.

I admit, I don't read Bopkin's Diary - can't read them all - and alcohol consumption is not a subject that sets me on fire, to be honest. But I do know that whenever I encounter the Bopkinator, if he's had a drink, he's the greatest type of drunkard there is - glazed eyes, funny as hell, & a bugger to beat at poker.

More to the point, as someone already noted, he's a proper bloke, & if there's a scrap going off, I want him in my corner.

He shares one trait with Matt Russell, too, though Matt has not made the Advent Calendar...... many Posts & Posters are utterly predictable, but with those two lads, they always come up with the curveball, the angle you least expect, & do so with dry, understated, humour, so their Posts are must-reads. Long may they both remain blondes, even though Matt never made the Advent List. (Just saying).   

he can still make the list though right? hes a must imo.

sic i've seen the list brag Tony...are you xmas eve or xmas day?

matt prob fingers crossed for binking monte carlo....just like you and I patrick   rotflmfao

No, I have neither seen the list, or asked to see it, but I do know who # 1 & # 2 will be, as Tighty told me on Saturday. And, obviously, I have no idea if Matt is on the list or not, it was just a little fun dig at a special friend.

I was just balancing my range, Rupert, gotta be done so my comments are not polarized......

Obv the question for flushy is does he prefer the money or the WPT title advent calendar slot?

not very pc or fair  imo

And LilDave?

What can you say, he’s rushed to the top of the Respect Rankings, & deservedly.

He can’t have all the credit for the much-improved tone & mood of our PHA, but he deffo gets a lot of it. He takes the time to explain, especially to newbies, or inexperienced players, & the days of “gtfo”, or “fold, you twat” are thankfully long gone, it’s a really excellent resource now, & it’s the contributors that have made it so, Dave included.

Brekkie with Dave in Vegas was awesome, I could have listened to him for hours. My Bucket List includes playing Omaha online for an hour, talking through my thought processes, with Dave on my shoulder, how could anyone not improve with a session of mentoring from him?

He’s an exponent of yoof-speak, too, but not the silly stuff, & though I can’t help watching with embarrassment as some of the kids try to do cool-speak, Dave has actually advanced the cause of yoof-speak. I’m sure he never invented the two words, but it’s a struggle even for me to resist the use of “speshly” & “prolly” (Patent pending, LilDave) – those two words are right on the money, & I love to see them used.  

Whilst I’m blowing smoke up his sphinctered recess, I may as well give a plug to his latest Blog, too…..

http://bit.ly/utZIOt

And where did “SuuPRlim emenate from? Apparently, it’s Greek for “boy with great wealth”. Not wrong, apparently.

I've never heard that word before which is why I'm certain that's exactly what it means :)

I reckon it was a bluff, but I folded anyway. I always do.

Lol no clue about ancient greek obv but defo doesn't sound remotely close to a greek word.

Dunno why I took the time to write that though.

Whoooooosh

;)

It's actually true - ask him!

you are far too nice sir :)

I learnt the word when I was living in Cyprus, the guy I worked for comes from a small Cypriot farming village and there it means "supreme wealth" but not like money wealth, it was referred to a man who is happy because he and his family and friends are healthy and have plenty of food, that = Wealth in there village and I kind of instantly liked the principle of a small culture where you work really hard to make sure everyone around you is happy and safe and that makes you wealthy :) I don't really live too much on this principle but I like it :P

and wp Flushy abso sick sick scorrre! Russel essential inclusion imo, cant wait!

See, I speak the truth. (Cyprus, Greece, same thing).

Flushy? Just a bit. He the boss, & morale is high.

Russell who?

the real question is who got bumped?

you are messing with "roid rage". some heads may get cracked if he dont get in.

How is it pronounced dave?

My greek is pretty good and it can't be spelt like that ...

Reading your blog dave did you move into flats next to merrion centre? just near the flyover? 2 council estate blocks near u.

could it be Turkish ish?

Ahh, now that's better, some Level 3 thinking has emerged. Good question Mr Guy!

Tell you what, I reckon Tighty is a brave bugger, because there will be a few curly lips when he's finished!

Failed to use the words "prolly" or "spleshly" once.

FAIL

somethuing like "soo-pee-ra-leem"

as far spelling i just guessed when i was making my stars account lol

prolly wrong, speshly when you consider the fact im very poor at spelling

wiiiii, in the hole!

congrats on your inclusion in the advent calendar flushy.

oh and your little win as well :)

Tony we all know who #1 and #2 are. G2L and Nirvana.

Do try and keep up please.

So Flushy wins the Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic and makes it into the Advent Calendar.

Not bad not bad...

James and I haven't always seen eye to eye in the past, so I would just like to take this opportunity to say, he's still a tosser.

Boy, doesn't time fly.

(http://blondepoker.com/blondepedia/images/photos/photo_1464.jpg)

(http://news.bluffmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/DSC_0032-200x300.jpg)

lots of photoshop potential here.

behind door number 13?

(http://www.visualphotos.com/photo/2x1882449/detail_view_of_a_christmas_present_labeled_with_122773h.jpg)

Just over a year ago this gentleman started a diary on blonde

In it's first post was the following sentence

I'm not going to be using it as a place to be arguing or shitstirring (no, no srsly I won't) but I will be pretty honest about what I think about things, poker & non-.

This, for a moderator, was reason enough to turn the forum settings up to "Defcon3" (High risk of having days ruined by pointless flaming, arguments and trolling)

For this member, throughout 2010 had a Tighty Awkwardness quotient (trademark, 2009) of, at its peak, 84%. This is one of the top ten ever percentages recorded on this proprietary measure hitherto unrevealed to the outside world

I am pleased to report that this member's quotient is now down under 50% for the first time ever.

The diary is now the fourth most replied to, and viewed thread on blonde. A testament to the varied content within, the hard work by the writer in keeping it active and the popularity of the man himself

The diary?

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=50836.0

The writer? He's the one on the right by the way...Cos "GreekStein" Paparestis

(http://henrygriffiths.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/img_1179.jpg) 

I've enjoyed reading Cos' stuff this year. The deal with Encore, the prolonged stay in Thailand with Amatay, the battles with Pot Limit Omaha....

Cos still will call a spade a spade, but this is a more rounded individual, from an outside perspective seeming more at ease with himself. Not for Cos, so often, the wading into a thread with all guns blazing. I think he's a better poster for it.

As a result, I think his contribution to blonde in 2011 has been immense.

Here Here...Well deserved entry IMHO.

justice!

Na Zisis.

Good choice Tighty, Cos has certainly evolved over the last year. Not that you can tell from the photo above.

:)

Never a truer statement, much respect for this young man

<3 Cos, has been a great friend to me, my most favourite person I have ever met through blonde. Completely different IRL to the Cos that irritated people on forum back in the day.

Well done mate.

Grats cos, more for ur second prize at the world hairy championships as pictured. Ur the one without the shorts yeah?

Another deserved entry, I have only met Cos once on a night out in Notts and watching his expertise in the Omaha game was degen at it's finest!!

He also has the best diary on Blonde IMO!!

such a superstar man

what an absolue bellend! And who is the prick he is with in the blue shorts?

Another top pick he's an abosolute ledgend... <3

Must be a level?

Not the nicest of guys, not the best diary, but his back hair and 6 pack are enough to win any real man me over.

Is Cos the one on the left or the right?

why dont people really say what they think of him? he would be honest enough to tell you.

wp sir and in this past year you have been like a brother to me and i cant wait to be best man at your wedding. <3

well done cos.

i wont be the 7th person to say are you left or right, but i will say you look like a sexy beast at all times. my favourite one is the one of you and mitchellfish in your robes in vegas. can't wait to fly out to thailand in february and have a sick time!

wish i knew you before you were boring, sounds so much more fun xxxx

Sick, knew Cos would be 13, congrats mate. I wonder how Cos will celebrate his inclusion, guess an extra few reps at the gym will be getting done today.

In the early days, I saw Cos as a bit of a troll. He certainly seemed to be involved of a lot of arguments.

As time went on, I softened my opinion, and he softened his posting style. So we sort of found some middle ground.

He still gets into arguments, but now he does it with style and panache. (He's right most of the time too, which is bloody annoying).

Whichever way you cut it, he's a great contributor to blonde. Long may it continue.

Congrats mate.  :respect:

A real comedy guy IMO, in life as well as online. Only met the once and was good to get a quick wind up in then but you took it well and where good fun that weekend.

Congrats sir

Geo

Apologies in advance for the tl:dr halle berry-esque over-the-top acceptance speech that's about to be written but I'm chuffed to be included and even more chuffed at the nice comments from blondes.

I've always enjoyed being a part of the blonde community from day 1. Now in terms of general atmosphere and quality of posting I think it's the best it's ever been and I've always thought it was the best forum anyway - so that says something.

I've always been determined to speak my mind and that hasn't changed. In my early days I know the tone and sometimes argumentative nature of my posts upset a few people. Most of those people I respect a great deal. I was actually delighted with Red Dog's post in this thread because I know he was one of the people who was open about not liking my aggressive posting style. However, I eventually realised (after far too many a fallout and argument) that I didn't want people like red and tikay, who I like and respect hugely to dislike me. It's far more fun to turn up at poker tournaments and cash games to be greeted with smiles than scowls. We all share this great community, so we might as well all get on! Bet a few people never thought they'd hear me say that.

So while I still say what I think - I generally do it in a much better way. I'm less confrontational in general and pick my spots better and just generally post in a better way I feel.

I've met some great friends through blonde, something I never thought I'd do. When I joined, apart from a few friends I had from nottingham like maria, nick hicks and pete linton I just didn't have too much respect for poker players. I thought for the large part poker players were scummy gamblers but the blonde community is like a sieve for the good guys. People like Vinny, Hopkin, Marky I would have never otherwise met I can proudly say are now amongst my best friends. (There are several others I haven't mentioned and others who fall in to the category of mates too.

Blonde has been an excellent resource. I was a losing player when I joined and emmersed myself in pha and the posts of people like flushy and it's been the single largest factor in turning me into a winning player. For that I'm also grateful.

It's been a useful resource in many ways with people from a wide variety of professions and skillsets always willing to help. For me, having the chance to go on sky poker may have been the best thing I've done through blonde though. As a 20 year old who got kicked out of uni because I stupidly neglected my course in favour of the casino, it was naturally a long road to get my family to accept poker but having not just my parents but also uncles and aunts tune in to see me as a guest on sky talking (fairly intelligently I'd like to think) about poker validated to them that not only was I good and doing things in the right way now, but that poker could be an entirely respectable hobby and even career.

Anyway I've rambled for a while. One last apology to tighty for giving the poor bloke an immunity to nurofen over the last 4/5 years or so.

Thanks very much.

<3 Blonde.

;applause; ;tightend; ;applause; ;tightend; ;applause; ;tightend;

Top bloke, big congrats. Not too fond of your new ginger bird though.

Congrats Cos, one day we'll have the pint...

Congrats! - One of the good guys, honest, says it how it is, and no hidden agenda, pretty hard to find in the 'gambling community' - a credit to blonde poker, wdwd x

Good post Cos, grats on the spot.

Good choice Tighty

Very nice post Cos

Well deserved accolade for the best Constantine on blonde.

Top diarage too.


PS  Gwyneth Paltrow would have been proud of that acceptance speech.

i remember the first thing cos said to me on blonde.

he said i was a bag of shit at poker and my staking thread is piss poor or something along the lines of that

I like cos he is a nice man

Paul Ho itt!

 rotflmfao

 rotflmfao

The first thing Cos ever said to me on Blonde was 'eat a dried chihuahua penis'....

We've been lovers ever since

Cos = Bawse

Well done Cos, always enjoy reading your posts - and there are lots

Yea that's well n good. get on with the quiz :)

Nice one Cos, go and celebrate in Walking Street

bit harsh Rob

We all make fun of Cos sometimes, you know, because he is a daft sod a lot of the time.

But for me he is Blondepoker, and probably one of the nicest and most straight up guys you will ever meet in poker. Blondepoker MVP imo.

i remember he was sulking that he wasnt included to blonde hall of fame

We tried PaulHo. We tried

tbf, although I agree completely with the MVP shouts and would probably have been my father Christmas, I think he is the opposite of what blonde is and how it acts.

Lol. Can someone translate this post for me, I have no idea what it means.

(http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h442/paulhouk03/IMG_0299.jpg)

(http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h442/paulhouk03/IMG_0297.jpg)
thats his sexy pic he sent me for doing him a favor

what a hero!

Happy days, I did not want to be the first to ask!

<3 cos

Hairy Bawbag

Automatic choice really. Excellent poster and very helpful

Nice speech Cos, I wonder how many people have came to blonde as losing/bad players and went on to make a living from poker partly due to blonde, there are certainly a huge load of people who've improved because of here.

Blonde just wouldn't be the same without Cos. Think that's the biggest compliment I can pay him.

Just feel I need to add a line before we move onto the next hero.  I met Cos in August year for the first, and only time. The guy I met was so different to the perception I had from posts on here; just as Vinny had told me, top bloke.  Although we have only had a beer once, we stay in touch on skype and along with Brummie, Lil Dave and Vinny has been incredibly supportive personally this year during some tough times (sorry Dave missed you nomination day as in Prague doing it Dave style). Thoroughly deserved - hopefully will make that trip to degen in Patong before March

I remember when Cos made a very derogatory comment on an update thread a couple of years ago and I never thought I could forgive him(not that it would concern him)  because the guy in question was (Frankie Knight) and is a diamond in every aspect of life.
Anyway in the last 12 months I have definitely changed my opinion of  the guy.
 
The thing that stood out for me was how upset he was when Blatch had conned his father and the main concern was getting his fathers money back regardless of his fathers wealth because deep down the money was probably immaterial but the principle of the matter meant everything.

I must admit Cos's diary is the first I read  and look forward to it every day, (sorry tikay), and if he and Amatay ever decide to make a stop off in Goa on their worldly travels ,I would personally make sure they have the best time possible.
You can speak to Paul Jackson for any reference on my side in keeping my word.

Well deserved inclusion in the calender and look forward to the next instalment of your diary

Absolutely delighted that Cos is in. Not gonna give him the "legend" label, that word has been cheapened by over-use, but "proper bloke, a man's man" will do for me.

We have had our differences in the past - it's inevitable, when he's a bit anti-authority, & I'm a Mod, but we are cool as a cool thing now, & I'm pleased to count him as a good friend these days.

His Diary - whilst not exactly ticking many boxes for me, as I'm not really into degen stuff, & I'd prefer to see some Saga Holiday japes, is still a compelling read, & I read every single Post on it. 168,000 Posts, 450 pages, & 6,700 Posts, all inside a year, (call it 20 Posts per day - which is amazing), that's quite something.

Works hard - real hard - at his Diary too. It's well presented, in plain English, nice & readable, with plenty of paras, & as many photos as almost any Diary. Photos make SUCH a lot of difference, as does good presentation. Which is why it gets so many hits, & views.

And, along with a bunch of others, he has helped turn the PHA inside out, from the "lol, gtfo you twat" sour stuff we used to have to what is now a place the newbies are no longer scared to Post on.

blonde needs more leaders, people who set the pace, start threads & Diaries, whatever, & work hard at keeping the place just so. Cos does all those.

He was amongst the first to support young Reece, too - very few of you - Maureen apart - know the efforts he went too to do his bit for Reece. For that alone, he gets immense respect.

As Cos said, in his "acceptance" speech, the mood & tone on blonde is as good as it has been for a goodly few years, & Cos has played a significant role in that.

He also fully supported our Sponsors whenever he can, & plays on the sponsor's sites as & when he is able. Its that sort of thing that keeps blonde afloat, & if we had more like him, we'd be financially secure. He & I came to a sort of Gentleman's agreement as to spamming Poker Encore, too, & he's never taken the piss with that, just kept the balance right.

It was not always peace & harmony, & boy, he & I, & he & Tighty, have had some well heavy run-ins (well, shout-ins, more like), & that makes our current mutual respect all the sweeter.

"Live", it's always been cool between he & I, or prettty much.

Long may it last - these days, he is a real asset to this place.

There's a lot more I want to say, some nice, some maybe not so, just honest stuff, which only he & I know about, but it's sort of personal, & I don't want to derail this splendid thread, so I'll stick it on my Diary tomorrow.

Well done Mr Pap.

I hereby promote you to Internet Sergeant.

I'd quite forgotten that. GTFO, Cos.

+1, lot of hero's here.

Pretty much always the first thread I read on blonde if I don't have one running myself. Especially so now as my 2 main interests in life are traveling and poker, ticks all the boxes :-)

Woodsey - you read the diary cos your main life interest is asian poontang mate! (In before jokes of 'why is he reading your diary then?!')

Tikay and I know it - tyvm for awesome posts.

I know it - I do apologise for the post I made about frankie knight. I neither know this person nor remember the post! If you could pm me the link to it I'd be most grateful. Goa is definitely on my list of top places to visit so look forward to meeting you! Dinner on me! Will shoot you a pm soon

Lol I always read it before mate, but usually because u were kicking off with someone which was always good railing. It would be the poontang if you posted more of it.  :D

What made you change your opinion about Frankie Knight?

Behind door number 14...

(http://thebridescoop.com/wp-content/uploads/14-Days-Counting-Photo-from-www.robjcameron.posterous.com_.jpg)

Let the fun and games begin

There's alot of little cliques everywhere on the forum, just like any forum. People who have became friends because of the forum or joined the forum because their friends are on it, natural.

For example, I saw The Nun had commented on the thread and knew straight away it would be Cos, Stu Hopkin or EvilPie. We have team Eureka who will comment on everything each other do and post religiously in Alex's diary. We have yourself who will comment every time Red Dog is mentioned in any single post. The list goes on... Within most of these cliques there is little things that everybody knows, I guarantee that 50% of the forum don't know what happened with Colcehster Kev even though 10% of the forum remain supportive in their signatures, I know that 90% of the forum won't know about that thing that happened with that guy last year that I can't talk about. There is other things that certain people know and others don't.

With Cos he doesn't have his "crew" or select individuals that he favours, he is on good terms and has the respect of people from all ages, backgrounds, sexes, religions, educations etc etc, he's very unique, very nice, lots of other verys but I wouldn't say he summed up what Blonde was, maybe what it should be or what we want it to be.

Probably still doesn't make sense.

fml...think you've just gone fav to be the xmas eve spot :)

The next addition to the advent calendar has been banned from blonde twice this year. Without doubt he has been the highest maintenance member to deal with from a mods perspective.

Yet, behind the simple facts, there is always a story to tell.....

When we have to ban a member, we know that in many cases there will be "afters". This year, "afters" have included social media smear campaigns, physical threats at venues, verbal abuse at venues and hate mail to a mod's home address. My point is not to elicit sympathy, and not to suggest that mod mistakes weren't made along the way, merely to say that on some occasions the reaction to a ban leaves the individual with very few places to go in terms of a future relationship with the forum.

Fortunately for this member, the bans became a force for good, and a significant change in posting style.

Back to the beginning....

This member signed up to the forum in 2009 but only became active at the beginning of the year. He has a post count of over 4,000 posts this year alone

When he began posting, he was like an internet Bambi on a forum lake of ice. You could see him trying hard, but no matter how hard he tried after a few posts his legs would splay and he'd fall flat on his face, cracking the ice a little every time.

The poster is Jason "Smashedagain" Herbert

(https://cdn.chiligaming.com/dso/cms/steps/nl-dso2.jpg)

sorry that's the wrong image, that's the guy who won in Marrakech. Here is Jason

(https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT1Ginjyq-4Q-vAKylnbbMekJ-jNv_DTFYAb5HRGvn1vPCNwgziOQ)

Through the tricky early months, there were two views

a) He's a troll, he puts people off posting on the forum

b) He means well but posts can cause problems   

At times, both views had validity.

On countless occasions a discussion would take place as follows

Mod "Jason, we've deleted the post. You can't say that"

Jason "I'd like to make a point though. How can I say it?"

Mod "Try it this way...."

Despite work on both sides, bans did occur. During the second ban we kept talking, and I paraphrase slightly but the comment came from Jason

"I love the place, I am on there every day, I'm sorry"

He came back, and I think I am right in saying that in the last few months there hasn't been a single deleted post. Of course the odd post might jar, and be expressed in a way you or I might not do, but the change has been remarkable.

During the course of the year I got to know Jason quite well. I found myself updating at DTD most months, and Jason would be playing. We'd sit and chat one on one and the man himself was very different from the internet persona. He listened as I tried to give him some perspective on the forum, the problems with making it work and survive month to month and how his posts impacted on that and I watched him, several months on the trot, try to be taught how to post pictures of his three young sons on the forum. Pride in them oozing out of his whole body, my heart breaking a little each time he failed to upload pictures yet again.

He has been a staunch supporter of the live updates along with the likes of Eso Kral and bobalike, and indeed virtually single handedly paid for a recent live update.

I hope that the perception of Jason on here has caught up with the reality of his current posting. A forum Bambi no more and love him or hate him, he has undeniably been one of the blonde posters of the year.

I could reply to much of that, but this thread is not really the time or place to have that debate, feel free to stick it on my Diary, or anywhere else, but let's keep the thread as intended, please.

Thanks.

i was just replying to red dogs post :)

also grats to Jason, heart is in the right place. Always means well.


Va va voom.

Congrats Jason & Cos!

Looks like it's the year of the reformed.   rotflmfao

Well done Lads   :)

wiiii :) never in doubt.....erm slightly embarrassed and will need sometime to dry my eyes, let a few people post gtfo and then give an acceptance speech.

ty ty i am reallly touched

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

(http://image.bayimg.com/fadklaacp.jpg)

Gotta love the herbs, such a troll online but one of the nicest guys you could have the pleasure to meet in real life.

Should have taken a pic of him in his reindeer hat last night. #sighafterthoughts.

Massive hero

Gotta love the Herbs!!!

Herbie after me!?

I take back all the nice things I said about blonde yday - tossers!

I am ofc kidding.

He loves(d) a good old troll but in person is a v nice guy.

Heart def in the right place and takes the banter thrown at him v well.

Ty for the live update contributions.

<3 herbie

He's gonna go bananas when he sees this.

Loads of people ask me about about Herbie and I always say the same thing,

"Complete trouble maker, but I'm so happy he's in my life" some of his blonde/facebook antics have had me in complete stitches he's so hilarious - me and Jamie used to devote an hour or two eacch day to railing the mayhem he was causing everywhere!

and when you meet him in real life he's a shrewd, intelligent and quite charming person :)

I can honestly say that I have enjoyed Herbie's posts as much as any that I have read on blonde this year.

Well deserved.

Herbie for mod.

Thread ruined imo ;)

Wiiiiii Congrats Jason.

Please tighty, one time, just say you are doing it in order of importance.

Aww loving Cos and Herbie in here.


I've been telling people on here how Jason is in real life since he first started making a tool of himself posting, because I was lucky enough to know the man when he still hadn't learnt to turn a laptop on. I've already documented on here somewhere what Jason did for me and how he looked after me at a pretty bad time so won't bore people with it again. He's a big big hearted man and I have all the time in the world for him.

What a boss!

<3 the herbinator!

Bit of a late reply.

Really didnt expect to make it on to the advent calendar! Quite touching.

Thanks for all the nice comments on here from everyone also.

Special thanks to Tighty, Red and Tikay as sometimes I'm not to sure how my posts on here fit in with what the deem the blonde ethos!

Lots of love all over this thread, very nice way to end the year.

Not sure where I am going to take my diary next year but it will continue in some form even if the lovely Mrs Hopkino seems to think I am addicted to this forum.

Merry Xmas to everyone hope next year is as good as this one.

you been drinking?

I have been on the net for many a year but I can honestly say I never encountred a big a troll as him before, relentless. But like others have said wash away the trolling I think he comes across as a caring person :) loves his kids and thats all that matters.

Fred West loved his kids as well.

Not sure of how this is a qualification for being a top person.

I am not sure raping, murdering your children qualifys as love.

That was my point

apologies for suggesting being a caring person and a loving father means something, wont happen again.

It's like Blonde's own Obama moment. If he can make it anyone can.

What number do you think Pleno will make?

Also apologies to Paul Ho, not sure if you were joking or not.
I obv have no problem with you, just some of your posts on here make my mind boggle!

Congrats to Cos and Herbie on being on here to.

Herbinations

Pleno is a cert for 25. BITB.

When is Herbie gonna change his sig?

[ X ] Advent Calendar Selection.

Great selection by Tighty, all things considered. Busy now, but will comment properly later.

Well done Mr Aitch.

Congrats Herbie...

Top man and somebody i always try an catch up with @ dtd..

Still hasn't given me his ABC poker book tho.. sigh

Again well deserved selection. Always makes time to say hello at DTD.
Not bad for someone who used to front the Monkees.

A modest man with much to be modest about.

Congratulations Jase,  well deserved.

Any chance he can have a flag for this ? Congrats.

I for one really have missed Jason when he has taken his sabaticals, never met the man but appears to me to be 'heart in the right place kind of guy'

Congratulations

Cos and Herbie - I've had my run-ins with both of them, and I'm sure both think I'm a bit of a ****, but deep-down they're both decent blokes and fun to have on blonde.

Good choices :)up

<3 herbie

such a nice guy
used to be the biggest troll in the world but makes me laugh so much

This

fyp

we all love you in the end thou  :)up

Wonder if he has stopped crying yet?

really pleased for Herbie his inclusion in this will mean loads to him i am sure!

earlier on in the year when we where both at dtd and had never met....
i remember actually trying to avoid him....
 ;ashamed;

when he made the effort to say hello to me,

i was shocked and surprised and really glad he did..... i liked him immediately!       :cheers: 

we have met several times since and i think he is a great guy nice one jase!



 

WD Jason

#neverindoubt

i would have never have known that herbie was a troll if i didn't read it in that post. seems like a v solid selection. Cos too, he's just a legend.

played with Jas years ago at Manchester, top guy and a top dad

WD Herbieeeeeeeeee! - Nice guy, who is really really really funny! His posts on here and facebook status's have me in stiches - congrats :-)

behind door number 15

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j6L_7QEwQZ0/S7d_7pcJglI/AAAAAAAAAAc/wp4qBB9jkmA/s1600/15years.gif)

So excited

This blonde member was born in Nottingham in 1985.

He started playing poker with friends, initially playing £5 sit-and-gos imitating the format used in the pioneering television show Late Night Poker. He continued to play throughout university, becoming president of the university poker society and representing Durham 3 times at the student poker championships.

On leaving university he stayed within poker, taking a temporary job as a copy writer with Betfair Poker, where he was responsible for writing promotional material for the inaugural WSOPE in London. He played a $75 feeder into the $750 weekly satellite to the WSOPE Main Event. After winning both satellites to bag a seat, James finished 9th in the Main Event for over £60,000. This was back in 2007

Since this breakthrough result he has played poker full time, travelling to tournaments worldwide, including cashes in the WSOP, 2nd in Pokerstars Baltic Festival, for €48,500. He has also had success on home soil, with a 2nd place on the GCBPT and a win in the DTD Monthly Deepstack in September '09 for £29,000.

James "skolsuper" Keys

(http://www.pokerstarsblog.com/james_keys_nottingham_1a.JPG)

James has over 1,000 posts on blonde. Fiercely intelligent, his contributions are always worth a read

One of these posts started as follows

"Hi all,

Am going to Australia next week and will be taking in the Aussie Millions festival of pokers while I'm there. I'll be playing a bunch of sides, a smidgen of sats, there's a chance of a Main Event in there somewhere and even a slight possibility of some games where I get more than 2 cards, so this could get complicated. However I've got google docs excel and a bit of time on my hands so let's go:"

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=51221.0

On page one of this thread, Flushy said "rest" standard and LilDave rather presciently said ""gonna be a millionaire"

James ended up 2nd in the Aussie Millions main event winning over $1 million.

His stakers read like a blonde staking "who's who"

Toby
Flushy
Cos
Tikay
Brammer
Titbeam
DMorgan
Mongy
Camel
Rupert
Eames

I think it is the most successful blonde staking board thread ever

Hence we can forgive him his current attempts to bankrupt Girgy ahead of tomorrow's Monte Carlo

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=56077.0

fondly remember playing in university games with him. not so fondly remembered are the 97 million times where he read my hand, declared he had X outs, but was calling anyway because it's funny to tilt me.

absolute legend and deserves everything he's gotten in poker and more.

Another quality inclusion!!

Only really met Keys this year after my diary started and he asked some advice on property, top top bloke just wish he could return the property advice with 1/10000 of his pokerz knowledge!!

Bawse!

My nut low moment on Blonde - posting this then not taking a piece.


So many heroes on this thread it's like Superman's birthday party.

Andrew, you're doing it all wrong. Flushy didn't send any money either and he ended up 250k richer from it.

Anyway - absolute hero, congrats mr keys!

Nice one James.  Nice bloke, can obviously play a bit and has the best car of any blonde.

ah sigh the sweat's over keys! well done chap.

Should add that after the david gore pounding, so tarnished was his confidence in heads up match play, he sort to improve that side of his game and last week in Prague, he won a 1k headsup shootout for several thousand euros. wpwp.

Moaned it in Keys, wp.

best potwasher i ever worked with.

Congrats Mr Keys. A good addition & good luck for 2012

should get a job imo

 :)up

When I grow up I want to be like James Keys














Tall

 ;hattip;

Fully deserves all the love itt <3

(http://images.clipartof.com/small/212931-Golden-Key-Mascot-Character-Smiling-Poster-Art-Print.jpg)

ABOUT FKIN TIME

Only kidding, ty tighty, altho slight correction: was actually born in Bethlehem in 36BC

Welcome to the club. Looking at the members included so far really makes me feel humble. Can't wait for th rest of the reveals

Most blatant shoe in of the calender, wp tho, glgl in 2012, bracelet me thinks.

Well Done James, first played with him, when he won the deepstack - The most aggressive player I had come across if u 3 bet he 4 bet, if u 4 bet he 5 bet shoved and so on and so on, was a pleasure to play with him, and he comes across a really down to earth guy, deserved his Aussie Million win - gl for 2012 and well done X

Nice one James. First time I played is when I beat him heads up in Notts for 27k

+1 , thought he would be the double door spot though.  1 more theory but don't want to speculate itt.

Cheers Tighty, enjoying these.

Yeah, you deserved it mate. wp.

I have spoken to James a few times at dtd

one of the real good guys makes time to say hello to people and chat.

really nice guy ....well done James

PML

Obv choice and well deserved

tightend should be in this imo

im pretty sure everyone agrees, but ............................


he isnt that kinda guy

  agree   top bloke tho deserves to be

No mean feat given that he measures in at 8'4"

behind door number 16...

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/16_cinema.png)

A year ago today I began updating the December 2010 Monte Carlo from DTD.

As luck would have it, it turned into one of the most memorable live updates, not for the writing but for the performance of one man who finished third to Fun4Fraser and Jack Ellwood, staked on blonde, for c£27,000

Ray "Mondatoo" Norton

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_M7mySuUsa6c/TahFFhUW2pI/AAAAAAAAQ5s/gJSE24iIGCY/IMG_6320.JPG)

Since then, Mondatoo has mostly returned to the online grind and that is faithfully recorded in a thread now almost two years old, now with over 83,000 views

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=46739.3240

There have been problems along the way, and a couple of attempts at Supernova via spectacular volume, one of which is currently in progress.

One of the thing's about Mondatoo's diary is that is real "heart on sleeve" stuff. In it he details his rollercoaster of emotions through this year, all with at times brutal honesty.

I have yet to come across anyone with a bad word to say about Mondatoo, and in the poker world that's quite something.

One of the most genuine and loved posters on here

Excellant choice.

Well done Ray, forgot how much fun it was railing the MC success from a distance - one of the people I most like to see win for some reason

was an absolute lock, but thoroughly deserve. one of my fave blondes.

+1

Treat yourself to 25 or 30 beers tonight mate.

Grats!

(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/kinboshi/imagesqtbnANd9GcTpfkhF3DK6jzp0AvQgv.jpg)

The MC update was imo the best ever with everyone changing avatars to different Newcastle United players.

<3 Monda  

For a kid who thinks he isnt liked by many alot of people must be wrong in their thoughts!

What a top guy. So few are so outwardly honest and self depreciating as Ray. Sometimes I almost which he wasnt so, but thats what makes him the Monda we all love!

Great pick, top bloke, and annual supernova hero!

Yeps

Quality guy, just one of those peeps you can't help but love.

Out of interest is it just me or does anyone else read anything he posts out loud in a thick geordie accent.

To really get the monda accent you have to jumble all the letters in each word up and then say it in a geordie accent.

Another top man.

Well done fella.

Ray is a man of honour and integrity. These are two of the most valuable traits a man can possess in my book.

He is amongst the top few on the very short list of people that I would trust to hold my bacon sandwich.

Congrats Monda!

First met Ray in July 2008, when he ventured all the way down to the Equal Chance Club in London. For some reason I didn't understand a word he said,..... but a really nice guy, and excellent poker player, shone through. :)

Congrats mate.

Great choice, top man really enjoy his diary. Never rooted for anyone so much even though I never had a stake in him.

 ;scarymoment;

i exchanged pm's with Ray when he called me a clown when i was basically acting like a clown.
no malice at all and even i had the newcastle avatar going on.

he epitomises what blonde is all about and a most fitting addition to the calendar. wp

no you are getting them confused!

lol..one makes supernova look easy.

on that point i aint been supernova since 2009 but one of the young guys from scunny says that stars run a promo in june/july that makes getting to supernova quite easy is this not the case?

Thanks for the inclusion and the comments everyone, that picture brings back bad memories though, that jumper I'm wearing is was my favourite jumper, I know what your thinking, it's grey, but I <3 it, went to some scruffy bar in town, the beehive for anyone who goes to town, so literally the nut low bar in town, anyway, so the badge on the jumper gets caught on the door and I was literally stuck to the door, having had a few drinks instead of inspecting the door and trying to get free I decided to just keep walking into the bar, ripppppp, gg badge, welcome new huge hole in expensive jumper, gg.

Truth be told I'm looking forward to getting this year out of the way and smashing up 2012,  :cheers:

PS No hard feelings Jason, glgl flaghunting this weekend  ;)

If only, they did it once and everyone non UK went mental about it as it was for the UK only so they didn't do it again.

lol, trying to get noticed

Can't believe you trashed the jumper.  Ya eejit!  Well done on the pick for here though.  Deffo one of the good guys. :)up

Great choice, always enjoy chatting to Ray at live events and was ever so pleased when he went deep in the Monte Carlo last year.

FYP

<3 mond

+1

Slight dispute

Advent calendars end on the 24th or 25th please?


Dubai, who is convinced he is the final entry, tells me 25th. I always thought it was 24th

24th

25th

When I was a kid it was the 24th
Just looked at my son's 'cars2' advent calender and it has a 25th on it!

24th.

if your son has the same advent calendar as, er, me, there is a big choccy behind a clear window to eat on xmas day, but it's not numbered or behind a door.

24th is the double door spot !

N1 Ray, top bloke.

Traditionally 24, in today's commercial world however, they are more commonly 25 I believe.

Doesn't it make sense in a commercial world to keep the costs down and just have 24?

Had a few dealings with Monda this year.  Great guy.

24th..what kids are gonna want to make a piece of chocolate their priority with all their presents under the tree.

dont mean you cant post a 25th tho if mantis wins the monte carlo and you feel obliged to put him in the xmas eve spot. :)

Do we get a pic of Manis? Never seen him before.

<3 Mantis

Million that he's playing the monte Carlo.

That means I don't think he is Herbie.

Mantis isn't real Girgy

Monda couldn't be more deserved as an entry,

top, top bloke, hope he wins the lot in 2012

:)up

Congrats Mondaclown.

I expect a long thank you post.

Congrats Raymondo, totally genuine guy

Geo

Mantis is not only a blonde legend he's also very easy on the eye.

Ooooh!  You lurrrrve him.

This is like This Is Your Life on crack.

have you tried watching This is you life without it? It's pretty dull

congrats monda and glglgl with supernova chase.

although i'd vote we remove him because he drinks in the Beehive. It's not only the nut low bar in town, it's the nut low bar anywhere!

Both my kids calendars finish on 24th but I'm enjoying learning about these blonde heros so I vote 25th.

Best railed on blonde....always around when I need a word of encouragement, kick up the arse, or a "go go go" - also the only person I can have a intelligent convo about the toon. Top bloke

Mond is a top top bloke..

Always around to talk on Skype.

Love him to bits.    not in a Ghey way obv..

win the world Please....................

congrats monda!

maybe a teensy weensy bit

hmm, had this discussion tonight, was sure it was 25 so you could have a pic of little baby jesus but a bit of googling would def suggest that it's supposed to be 24

Having done some research it appears advent calendar's now go up to the 25th (which seems silly) when I was a kid it was the 24th.

Great inclusion on Monda of course - one of the best diaries on Blonde expect him to smash 2012 good.

Call yourselves good Christians!? Of course an advent calendar should only go to the 24th. I'm disgusted that Xmas has been so commercialised and the true meaning forgotten to such a degree that some advent calendars have a door for the 25th! Cameron won't be happy about his Christian nation becoming so secular and immoral.

zzZ

25 th

 ;popcorn;


;sleep;

behind door number 17

(http://www.homebase.co.uk/wcsstore/homebase/images/309968HBO111111M.jpg)

This member has been a staple of the forum for a number of years, joining in August 05

Renowned as the original Internet Policeman

Can spot bullshit for a thousand yards, and will have no hesitation in telling you so either. In fact now he is routinely called on in threads to pass judgement on facts.

Eastern European Agriculture specialist, Half-Marathon runner, X factor expert, Charlton Athletic fan, ponytail wearer of repute, lapsed RSQ expert until he went off in a huff at the ineptitude of Questionmasters on so vast a scale you could literally see him  self-combusting at his home in East London...

Dan "gatso" Spinks

Alongside some player, representing blonde in a team event

(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dSNWw9o4E5E/TAJP3BIhfWI/AAAAAAAAAFg/ZfxinuXkDvM/s512/bb9%20048.JPG)

His dry sense of humour often has me chuckling at random points in threads, a much under-recognised comic talent as well as his eclectic list of specialisations mentioned above

Part of the posting glue that holds the forum in place, gatso

lower-case g for gatso please.

nice one dan :)up

Congrats gatso.

It really is a pleasure working with this man in the internet constabulary.

Actually one of the most prolific posters yet I know nothing about what he does or his poker activities!

Nice one. A true blonde legend, also has a talent for automotive arson.

i call bullshit!  ;D

(no malice meant, i know im not his fav poster)

Good choice. Has contributed a lot to the site/forum.

I call bullshit.

That is quite clearly a Blonde Bash, not a team event ;)

Keys and Monda, great picks!

Had some great times with keys albeit not many. Great guy.

I'm pretty sure I've had some good times with Monda too, just difficult to tell since I'm not sure what we're ever talking about. I do however owe him a portion of chips still.

haven't really spoke to gatso so much, think i seen him posting around etc but as greeky said not sure who he is or what he does, lottttttt of posts. btw Elliot is tez.

need a better pic.  i would have posted something else but i'm in it too and look like a drunken moron so it ain't happening.

this one is quite good though.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/clairep75/gatso.jpg)

yay! congrats to the mond, cant understand a word mind but still

Great description this.

He's such a staple part of the forum that you almost don't realise he's there, but when you step back from things and look closely you realise he's everywhere and has been for ages.

Great choice.

Congrats greeky's asst. Proof, that not every bloke with a ponytail is weird. I think.

Couldn't have put it any better.

Congrats Gatters

Geo

LOL, I don't, it was a one off.

Nice to see you saving me up for big names nearer the actual day, i'll be fairly chuffed with xmas eve but thinking xmas day seems pretty nailed on tbh.

you can share the january 32nd spot with me and delboy :)

it will be an honour.

 :'(

Congrats Dan & Ray

Thoroughly deserved

 Not many know that much about him probably because that's how he wants it.
He let me down when I got into the double standards mods and the rest of the forum  have debate with tighty.
How the hell can gatso get away with saying that" I asked tighty.
[X] turns out global moderator was gatso's self appointment and is really one of us good guys ;)

lolz herb, just reread the pm you sent me after you'd talked to tighty about my preferential treatment as a mod. you really were an internet noob a few months ago

thanks to all for the kind words, all are much appreciated, it's a proper honour this, I'm in esteemed company

I told claw I'd write a speech but I'm not going to because she wouldn't post the video of me she was supposed to so I'll just say thanks once again and leave it at that

who's next?

aw sorry del - though it was your prediction :)  ace2m can take the 33rd then.

that counts as a speech to me gatso :D

Nice inclusion of gatso, a great guy.  Quite clever too, I always enjoy reading what he's got to say.

+1

he looks great in pigtails too..

(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/8918_1222507038552_1105249917_30684814_1365519_n.jpg)

Amazing fact - gatters makes it into the advent calendar.

behind door number 18

(https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRVBKVZ-ThSJzopRhpuV9z0PzkRX9R_c-d3J2183DThKL_tL-yb)

is someone I have never met, but nonetheless has left a big impression on the forum this year by dint of his sheer expertise, in the Betting Tips and Sports Discussion board

(http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05_03/redMOS1005_800x452.jpg)


Stuart "redarmi" Doyle

As recently as October he started the "Diary of a Professional Punter" on Betting Tips

see http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=55312.0

The diary begins

"Been contemplating doing this for a while because I want to get into the process of recording my daily betting processes and the psychological side of the business.  I have been a professional gambler of sorts for much of the past ten years although I normally have other income that is derived from providing odds compilation or advice to either bookmakers or, more recently, punters and syndicates"

Over 750 posts later, and with approaching 17,000 views, it is required reading for many

Moreover redarmi has time for everyone, and palpable respect for many of his fellow posters.

An interesting post in the early stages of the diary gave a lot of details about redarmi

"My real life circumstances are pretty complicated.  I am married, no kids but my wife is in the States and I spend about 50-60% of my time there as my green card application can't be processed until the middle of next year.  The rest of the time I split between my parents in Cumbria and hotels/friends in London.  This is fairly recent and has only been the case for the last year or so really.  Before that I led a slightly less nomadic existence and lived in either Birmingham, London, Leeds, Antigua, Kuala Lumpur or Gibraltar for the previous 12 years affter leaving college.  Mainly working for bookies as a trading director or for betting syndicates with lengthy periods where I just bet on my own account.

 Your point about perception to risk on changing circumstances is an interesting and important one.  The first time I took the plunge and bet for a living was in 2001 when I was single.  Frankly, the thought terriffied me and I remember the very first day I started I woke up at 430am with my mind racing.  Over the next 7-8 months I worked fairly hard and did okay but I was fairly cavalier with regard to treating it as a job and I took long periods of time off and if one of my regular working friends had the day off and fancied going to the punb for the day i can't ever remember saying no.  Whilst i made enough to live and went racing at least four days a week I wasn't really taking it seriously.  Over the next couple of years I met my wife in Antigua and since then every time I have relied on betting for my living I have taken it a lot more seriously but it wasn't until I reached my thirties that I really spent time working on my staking and approach to risk to the point where I am as disciplined as i am now.  Milligan mentioned earlier in the thread that there won't be as many tales of degeneracy in this thread and he is right but, like everyone, I have been through that to a degree and was certainly guilty of having bets for an interest but since I met Lisa I have realised that it doesn't just affect me anymore and I need to be a bit more responsible and treat it like a business.  I am 36 now and, since we have decided to move to the States (mainly for family reasons), I have realised that gambling and bookmaking is pretty much all I can do to any real level and starting again in another business isn't really an option unless I really want to start at the bottom of the tree earning £20k a year so i have a duty to myself and my family to do this right.  To be honest it is a pretty sobering reality.  A bit like some of the young poker players on here I pretty much coasted through my twenties and was making money and doing alright but when you get to your mid thirties and realise that all of a suddden you are too old to get a 'proper' job even if you wanted to and the only real salaried profession you have ever known (bookmaking) is largely illegal and the domain of organised crime in the country you are intending to move to it is a bit of a wake up call!!!!"

If you haven't read the diary, take a look. It is far more than betting tips. One thing is assured, redarmi will give you a warm welcome

I am an avid reader of all the diaries although only feel qualified to comment in a couple.

Redarmi has produced some of the finest reads this year as well as contributing to many other threads.

Well deserved.

Geo

I rarely venture on the sports/betting board so haven't seen Redarmi's diary - he has made some very good posts elsewhere though and seems to be a sound guy - sent me a v supportive pm after I decided to do Berlin, even though I don't know him, which was cool :).  wd stuart :)up

what a bawse!

if you like his stuff on here and dont already follow him on twitter i recommend you do so!

how did I not know he had a diary, always been a big fan!

confirmed fan

congrats ED about time you made another bB havent seen you since bB1

Wow - really wasn't expecting this and it has made my day.  There are so many great posters and people on this forum it is really unlike any other I have been on.  The general level of intelligent posting is well above average and, whilst it is nice to be a part of this, I get more out of this place than I put in and it isn't only betting and poker stuff.  I have learnt lots from Red-Dogs and Tikays diaries and my poker game has come along with help from people like lil dave, Rupert, Keys, Alex, Pleno etc.  In the sports section there are some wonderfully switched on punters that help me a great deal.  In particular Brent, Jones, Rich, Dubai, adnvfn and Ace2m whilst The Camel is greatly missed and was one of the reasons I spent enough time here in the first place to get the confidence to post myself.   Can I use my one time to get him posting again even if only in betting forum because 140 characters really isn't enough....

Oh, I really should have mentioned Eso Kral and Monda who have both been very helpful to me off forum.  Great guys.

Another top pick.

Loved reading redarmi's diary this year, and he's also been helpful with his time and expertise in a few PM exchanges.

Required reading for anyone interested in sports betting.

top pick. its a great thread, i've learned some good stuff from it.

Good choice, great poster.

Yeh this, really enjoy his posts and his advise is always savvy and well thought-out.

Always the first diary I go to in "unread topics" just incase its a GOOD thing!!!
Top man

Same here.

I'm also impressed with how he always takes time to explain stuff to the less savvy posters too.

Excellent choice.

Behind door number 19

(http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRP7JvjmuvdtKOk_f-FJh7CNHgbXA2fz08yqGP6sdYB3Ua-fHzVcoxgHAYQ)

is a poker journalist with approaching 5,000 posts on blonde

Formerly the editor of UK Poker News, now News Editor at Poker Strategy

Barry "Dave Shoelace" Carter

(http://maylisboardman.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/barry-carter.jpg)

I think we all have enormous respect for Barry. Look around the forum, he's on a number of threads as ready to contribute on Fry Ups, Sheffield football and TV shows to poker threads.

Of course this year he was also the co-author of

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8c5MW4tBdYc/TTlANPnqw-I/AAAAAAAABWE/H9fIM2fRYqs/s250/TMGofPoker_cover_1.7.11.jpg)

not that any of you will have heard that already.

The thread about the book is here

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=52878.0

and I know its been of enormous help to a number of blondes.

I could talk about achievements on the felt, but I think his only achievement I can recall is getting wrecked at Sky Poker Tour Leeds, where he donked his way to the final, and donked his way off the final as quickly as he got there. Lets not forget his SPT Main Event min cash either.

He can write about poker though. Over about six years for his sites and magazines article upon article of top stuff

Here are a few recent ones

http://www.pokerstrategy.com/news/world-of-poker/Barry-Carter:-A-Sense-of-Entitlement_53261/

http://www.pokerstrategy.com/news/world-of-poker/Barry-Carter%3A-The-Fear-of-Failure_53054/

http://www.pokerstrategy.com/news/world-of-poker/Poker-2.0:-What-Could-Facebook-Poker-Do-For-The-Industry-_54309/

A top man, and a real asset posting on blonde away from the day job....