blonde poker forum

I have been toying with the idea of starting a blog on here for a while, and it seems that now is the best time to get it up and running!

Life

The names Chris Vernon, im 21 and currently studying Geography (cue the colouring gags)  at Loughborough University. Home for me is the south east, a small village near Ashford in Kent.
Most of my life to date has been heavily based around sport, most of all cricket. Represented Kent at all age groups, including playing around 15 2nd Eleven games (check out the cricinfo page #thinbrags :D). My 2 gap years after school saw me jet of to Perth, WA as 'an overseas' for a club over there. Best 2 winters of my life, stayed in Cottesloe, which if any you have been, will know its incredible. Met some incredible people over there, and will definitely be going back, sooner rather than later i hope! Oh and im a hugeeee Liverpool fan, and wont have anything bad said about them on here!! haha

Poker

Fairly new to it all really. Got into it watching the WPT with the old man when Shana Hiatt was presenting, what a babe! Since then, only really got properly into it during my first year at uni, so Sept 2012 onwards. Before then, twice a week we would head out to a couple of local pub leagues, do reasonably well, and always spend the car trips home moaning about how bad everyone else played!
Discovering LUPS- Loughborough Uni. Poker Society was the kickstart to taking things a little more serious. I doubt there is a better uni home game in the country, all of us having had good scores live or online. Also, probably the most degen too, many times pulling a 12hr session, often heading straight to the 9am lectures, after a 7pm start the night before. Scary too, regularly there would close to 1k on the table, at 10/25p. Would make once of twice a week trips over to DTD,where the XXL provided a good comp, in possibly the best place in the UK to play. Railing Rexas and Adiman into £30k cashes within a week of each other was awesome, (and one of the claims to run bad). A little bit of jealousy in a good way too, wanted the next one to be me! Idiocy too, turned down a 10% offer from both of them, what a cock i am!
2013 has been the real change for me on the poker front. Slightly more bankroll, and a uni grant (sigh, sorry mum) meant at the start of the year i was able to sit more comfortably in the cash games at DTD and more regularly Gala/ Grosvenor without feeling like i have 95% of my life in chips in front of me. A few good weeks enabled me to play a couple of the bigger comps, including the SPT Grand final, where we luckboxed our way to 18th, with Rehman getting 11th.
Overall, my board at uni suggests a decent win overall for 2013 so pretty chuffed, first time cashing out a bag was a memorable moment, especially as it was on a tough line up.
GPS Notts- What can i say? What a weekend. Qualified twice for a total of £90 and made my first major FT. DTD kindly letting me use the other £440 token for the 500 DS too, so pretty much freerolling that event. Felt surreal seated at the FT with guys such as Deadman and JP Kelly, both i might add are great guys, chatty and have great table presence, as well as being sickos. Clear to see why they come with such glowing reports from the circuit.

Whats next?

In terms of aims, im not going to sit here and say I want to win a bracelet or the triple crown, or even be a full time pro. The last one would clearly be amazing and ultimately that is something id love to do. However at the moment, (whilst ensuring the uni work is up to date) the aim is to keep improving and keep building a bankroll to be able to make money at cash, aswell as playing the good, bigger tournys at DTD, (and the XXLs) as well as the odd GPS and other event that looks good. Running consistently deep in the comps is the aim, few cashes, who knows maybe another FT is the aim for this year, with a good solid cash game behind me.
Am very lucky at the moment to have a lot of good mates in the poker world, who I can chat too about hands, most of which ive butchered, and taking on thoughts and ideas, which im fairly confident to say myself, has improved my game a lot over the past year or so.
Also have become a member of the Blue Blood team yesterday, which seems an exciting step forward for me.

However, will be making a point that the blog is a good mix of life happenings as well as the odd poker night update. My social life is good and important to me, as I like to see myself as a bit of a charmer ;), shame im not as good looking as GHolden though, what an easy life that would be ;) Have a few other passions to chat about, but ill save that for another day maybe.
Anyway, ask questions, slag off my spelling, anything you want. Wont be getting a sunday roast pic thread going just yet, but who knows what might happen!

Lots of love,
Verndog

first

haha bloody hell that was quick!

Good luck with this

Talk to us about the cricket?

Not something you wanted to pursue as a job? Good enough to represent Loughborough in the games against the counties early season?

any notable scalps? best bowling figures?

Chris, Chris!!!















SMELLS!

Subbed!!!

GLGL Chris with this.

(http://www.reocities.com/MotorCity/Lane/1192/snakecharmer.gif)

Subbed, GL.

Well done on your recent performance in the GPS.

Few questions..
Can you tell us more about your experience at LUPS? Who would you say you have learnt most from in LUPS and what do you like about their game?

Do you prefer cash games or tournaments and Why?
What would you say is your best and worst poker attribute? money management, table selection...?

^^ Why I don't have any friends :D

Subbed. Glgl with this! Should be a decent read! Always nice to get name dropped by THE verndog :P

Always love hearing about the conquests in your social life ;) they have been the highlights of my last year ;) LADS LAD LADS!

Cheers Eso!!


If youd asked me as a 10yr old, all the way up to my first year in Perth, i would have snapped said its the only thing id want to do. Was always my aspiration, however, as with any sport, politics as well as realizing maybe i wasnt as good as i thought i was crept in. Also, i know a few guys who were awesome at 17/18, quit school/uni and got released, with nothing going for them. Plus the pay is rubbish, unless you are KP or an international star! Still love playing, and God only knows how many all nighters i pulled over the last ashes series. Lost a bet with some mates in aus, meaning i have to send 3 cartons of beer over for them, gutted.
Uni cricket, simple, failed the trial, not sure why, thought i was a little hard done by. Got a few good mates on the side who think i should be there, but think im happy with them thinking im good rather then me proving im bad!!!
Youd have thought looking at me, id be a bowler, but nope, opening bat here mainly, with a few seamers in the mix on occasion. However i did get Dan Christian out, before he was an IPL and aussie odi player.
Apart from that, have faced Steven Finn, 2 months after he took a 5er at Lords in a test, hes one hell of an angry guy. ALso faced Simon Jones, both of those pretty exciting/ nervy days. Played in the same side as alot of county pros on the circuit now and am lucky enough to call a fair few of them good mates, and still manage to head out on good nights out/ have some beers with them whenever i can.
Best figures? i think it was in the same game i got Christian out, 15ovs 7er 54! Was bowling filthy off spin back then though!!

Geography. What led you to choose that subject? Any aspirations to pursue a career in it (depending on dem pokaz)? Are you seen as an outcast at uni because everyone who goes to Loughborough does sports science?


And the more Tal questions:

1. Favourite Simpsons episode
2. Best piece of advice you've ever given someone else
3. Guilty pleasure song
4. Prince "I studied Geography" William, Harry Styles, Shane Warne: who gets one night out on the town with Verndog?
5. Best sporting moment that didn't happen in Istanbul

Gl with this

Ha, some great advertising here Stacks. Learnt alot from it, sitting in a game that strong makes you learn a lot, cant decide how to go into it too much. No brainer on my fave part of the game, watching our very own Rexas getting coolered hand after hand and nearly jumping into the oven was brilliant.

Cash or tournament? Very tricky, love both alot. Sitting deep in a cash game, with a few good mates, playing a few props or having a good time, as well as winning is great. Plus the games in Notts mean the standard is often very good, sitting in games with the likes of Alex (not sure if im allowed to mention his name here anymore ;)), Sean, Mitch etc mean that you have to play right at the top of game. Like to see those as a challenge, only way to improve and i love that aspect. Tournaments too, especially the deep structures, lot of different skill sets, but ones that suit me. Nothing better than bagging chips up for day 2 though!

Best attribute? Think im very hard to tilt, unlike some of my friends ;) Also would never tell a guy hes murdered a hand whilst at the table, even if he stacked me, whats the point? more money for us to make when he does it again!
Worst attribute? Easy, i flirt way tooo much with the dealers and valets!! :D

but how do you live though?

Cheers Nik


Why Geography? 2 things really, i was good at it and love being outside. Have a huge passion for the outdoors, and walking etc etc, love the lake district! will discuss that in a later thread im sure.

1) Never been a big simpsons fan, so cant answer that one!
2) haha erm, dont knock it till youve tried it? ;)
3) Genesis- Invisible Touch or Fleetwood Mac- Everywhere
4) Shane Warne everyday, 1) i could chew his ear off 2) hed bring Hurley with him, #instaboner
5) 2005 ashes has to be up there doesnt it?

FML

Gl!

My question is: who do you enjoy stacking the most?

MATT HARRIS AND TO SEE HIM TILT

Ha no frankie!
Erm i guess im going to give a very boring and honest answer. To be honest, i dont get any real pleasure in taking big pots of any of the guys id call good mates, we all do it, and sometimes it is funny, but often everyone knows how difficult the game can be, and therefore winning all ins arent as satisfying as some random guy whose come in for the night.
If i had to pick one, it would have to be adiman, purely because it means ive won a hand of the luckiest leprechaun there is!

Also because you're probs bored of stacking me, there was a time where most of the biggest pots you'd won were off me :p

with reactions like that, how can it ever be boring winning pots of you?

I think u lying here . We all like stacking Matt and see him walking away mumbling none stop !!! Lol

haha i didnt deny a slight satisfaction, i have to be careful here remember, i need lifts to DTD!!

Will begin marketing my new atm/taxi combo soon.

at least doing that your might have a winning session! :D

surely this makes stacking marris worth it?

It is pretty cold in February...

This diaries like a public toilet.  I only came in cause I was desperate.

WP.  Although it wasn't about the weather.  Still WP.  You leaving that home game was one of the funniest things i've witnessed.  Especially enjoyed the hourlong tilt discussion of the merits of folding top two.  Verndog won the lot that night...

Doesn't like the Simpsons, wilfully types "#instaboner" seemingly without hint of irony and spends a page with injokes.

If he likes Keith Lemon or doesn't have a Howard Moon elite elbow patch collection (standard issue for geography types), I'm walking.

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LcnkkGAiU8

See Chris, you've already uninspired to educated lot to the point of walking out before you've even started, and I soon I'll be walking too if you don't sort it out!!!!

haha dont get me wrong, ive watched a few simpson episodes, however I feel im not in a position to say which is my favorite.
I can say im not a huge fan of Keith Lemon
Fave TV shows include:
1)Boston Legal, dont think TV gets much better than this
2)One Tree Hill, the earlier series
3) jeez so many to think of

Will do a proper GPS weekend write up tomorrow

tomsom reminds me of keith lemon, not sure why. Maybe I'm just being rude and it's because he's a little bit ginger

Sorry Tal, i refuse to use the blog as a pure HH entry! Hence why some of it will be lighthearted. Some serious stuff for sure though!!
Have you seen Boston Legal? Pure brilliant TV

Big fan of diaries with balance. Way more interesting. Just have to remember some of your audience are so old, they remember the Spice Girls, Mark Lamarr presenting Buzzcocks and smoking indoors. But then we also remember the golden age of playing poker ;)

Boston Legal is the Shatner one, right? It's not made my cut as yet.

If you watch Boston legal i hope you watch Suits (in before Peter Thorpe joke).
Be interesting to read your round up of the GPS. When these exams are over the homegames are getting a new face ;)

Also, Tal the Mighty Boosh is amazing. Big respect. I once dressed up as 'the crack fox' for a night out. I spent most of the time being asked for pictures with everyone.... My 15 minutes.

(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h230/Phonia/76655_456903534445_3648430_n_zps86af00af.jpg)

The Spice Girls, they are great! Me and a mate used to have that CD on in the car going to school!
Plus, for 21, my 80s music taste is fairly good. Blame the old man for that! Genesis, Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner, Spandau Ballet and more!
Yeah it is, waatched a lot of TV, and I think thats the best. Should move it up to the top of your list!

Crack Fox? Niche! Hopefully, you didn't wear galoshes.


As for Spice Girls, was it Spice or Spiceworld? Spice was the first and better album, but Spiceworld had the immense Spice Up Your Life on it. Can't go wrong with the first album, though.

See also: Take That and Party.


80s music? Hoping Duran Duran made your pop list and that you also are diverse enough to incorporate some ska (madness, specials, beat...) plus the inevitable hair metal.


What's your WSOP Main Event walk on song, then?

You mean his squishy boots?

Duran Duran are absolutely brilliant. Girls on Film, Wild boys, Rio, too many! Madness: great. The Specials too. Its like running through my Ipod! Bette Davis Eyes is another guilty pleasure
Forgot earlier, possibly my favorite has to be The Who: Baba O'Reilly

WSOP walk in song, wow what a tricky question think Baba O'Reilly would have to be up there. Aha Take on me? Invisible Touch?

Baba O'Reilly or Bubble Butt, imo

Unfortunately not, may have drank baileys from a shoe though

I don't know why, but the thought of someone walking out to invisible touch has made me smile.

Girls on Film was the Blurred Lines of its day. YouTube it if you don't believe me.

Ha no need to! You forget my musical education! Who doesnt love the naked mud wrestling?!

Dont even lie chris, you have like 2 songs on your ipod and the are baba o'reilly and invisible touch. Never heard you play any other songs in the car. Actually occasionally some Dido, white flag.

Spent 3 months in Perth, amazing shark attack on Cottesloe Beach, will enjoy the diary mate

Just seen this Blog!! Subbed! and once again wd Chris on the GPS FT! Thoroughly enjoyed watching you play man!! GL !

i know, 2nd year i was there, big shark attack on the beach i swam at! Always looking over my shoulder!


Thanks a lot! Hope it shall be a decent read! Hopefully there will be a few more scores to come!

GPS Nottingham Weekend Report

Was sat in my uni last tuesday night, and for some reason decided to deposit 30 quid on my DTD account. Ended up winning the £15 quid sat, and after a grinding a bowl for ages in the £55, got through with 2bbs. Thanks to the guy who open jammed AK with 5bigs, i owe him a pint!

As is ritual nearly every Wednesday, Rexas and I headed for Nandos before DTD, was only initially planning on playing cash, however 80 runners in the live sat was almost too good to miss, so we flicked it in, and won a seat! 2 seats for £90, was loving life.
After a bottle of Coplella juice and a taxi to the club, we arrived at Dusk feeling confident we might make a Day 2. We chipped up early on what seemed like a decent table, chipping up to a little over 30k. However over the next 4 or 5 levels we lose a couple of standard pots, folding 2 pair on the river when all the draws come in and he bombs etc etc, also a badly played pot where we brick a big combo draw, only to be called by ace high, sigh.
So this leaves us with 4k (8bbs) 30mins before the dinner break. We are UTG and Im basiclly looking for an Ace or any shoveable hand. My Knight in shining armour appears on the rail, ZeroFive himself, and we look at  Ac first card, followed by the  7d. Hate folding with the blinds next hand, so it goes in. All hell breaks loose, MP reships 15k, huge stack on the btn, whos been playing very loose all day, calls, and the BB who was recently crippled calls. We should be drawing dead, but no, somehow in a 4 way all in, we are up against  6c 6h,  Jc Tc and  7s 4s. I casually announce to the table 'I dont lose these' and watch the Ahrt roll of on the river, we have 18k! Half an orbit later, we find  Td Th all in v   Ahrt  Ks for another full double, and go into dinner with nearly 40k. We lose a couple of pots, with Frankie now at the table, then 4 bet shove  Ac Qc into  Kd Ad, flop  Qd 4d 7d, and we dodge, putting us back to 40k or so.
We move to Deadmans table, who has the lot, lose a couple of small ones and then play possibly the weirdest, and most butchered hand on both parites part i think ive ever seen. We open  Ad Qc to 2100, btn flats. Flop  Kd 6d 6h, we cbet to 2600, he makes it 6k. I honestly didnt think he had anything/ thought his hands were more weighted to draws, so make it 12300 with 14k behind. He flats,  4s on turn. We ship for 14k, he fairly quickly calls, expecting to be dead here. He shows down the  3d 5d for a big combo draw, and he bricks  Ks on the rver to send us over 60k. It doesnt need to be said, im fairly happy i cremated that hand. No more noticeable hands for the day, and we bag up 133,900.
While enjoying a beer, we rail rexas into a seat for friday too.
After a lot of sleep, we head down to dusk Friday night for some cash and see how the lads, Rexas, Adiman and Rehfish are doing. We sit down next to Sean in a huge 1/1 game, that fairly becomes an uncapped 1/2/5 often witha 10 straddle too. Usually id snap leave this game, however, a few northern lads were calling 30/40 quid pre with 82o and 74 so i thought, its worth a punt, play tight and hit a double when you can. We find  Kd Qd on the BTN and make it 30quid over a 10 straddle. Flop:  9d 6d 4c i think, 2 guys check call 60 quid. Turn  8d, bingo. We make it £105, one call, other guy ships, we call other guy folds. We announce flush, he mucks pre river and we scoop the £850 quid pot. Nothing else of note and we leave £400 t0 the good.
Day 2 of the GPS, early on not alot happens. Playing small ball we struggle to chip up, make the money then move to the feature with about 150k Find dem acez twice in awesome spots, and chip up some more and leave with 450k 2hrs later. However, we find  Ad Ac into  Kd Ks in the last level of the day, shortly followed by stacking PJ where i turn a boat against his flopped straight. However, double short stacks up twice and bag up 792k for day 3, still buzzing.
Day 3 was a tale of 2 huge pots really, we  river the nut flush, check and get shoved into, weeeeee and move over 1.5milly. Back to the feature, we raise with  Kc Kh and guy to my left 3 bet ships 1milly with  Ahrt Kd, we hold and dont play another hand until the FT where we take 2.5mill with us.
FT played itself, no real big cards, 4bet folded Ace Jack which im not sure which is the best way to go there. Then shoved 10bbs with  Ac 8c and ran into AK. SIgh, still 7k not a bad result!
Cheers for all the love and rail support guys, means a lot.

Good to see we don't forget our run good ;)

We don't lose these!

 I think this kid have potential to be a good poker player if he listen to people advices . ( not Matt style of playing please . Just don't learn his way of mumbling of bad  beats ) . I think u are good enough to play but I think the inexperienced on the FT table Sunday caused u the tourney . Potentially Rehman is better in handling short stack as he never never ever panic even he's short . Matt us a good player but every time he's on my table , he tried too hard to outplayed me . Dude that never work as u know I m the better player than u !!! Chris is u got time , learn and lusten to people that can give u advices . Every little help . Well done weekend & hopefully more to come

Thanks Frankie, means alot. Totally agree, as i said my live poker experience is only 1yr old, and maybe tournys less than 10. Very keen to listen to alot of different people, and enjoy the challenge of playing in games with the better players, as it can only help me improve. Think thats one positive aspect about my game is i rarely tilt, and generally take bad beats well. Plus, i never see the need to try outplay better players than me, wait for hands and make chips the easy way.


Its been a very up and down week. After the highs of sunday, came a very low point Monday morning, with a death in my immediate family. Been feeling down all week and I feel like i need to get out and do something. HEading for a huge nandos and then the XXL at DTD tonight. Feel getting out seeing some people will help me take my mind of things.
GL us.

I've never tried to outplay you Frankie! I just play the game :p

Sorry to hear about the death of someone close to your family . Potentially poker is a patient game and I think you got patient . Good luck in your poker  journey if u intend to take it seriously . I will be there if u need to talk about poker ( if u think I can give u advice ) .

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ;p

I most definitely will! always keen to pick the brains of anyone! thanks, might see you at dtd tonight?

Only comes weekend and occasionally when there is big comp. See u soon

Confirmed pigeon ITT!

This

Needed to get out, see a few people last night, so headed to DTD for the XXL. Bricked it completely. Enjoyed railing Zerofive into a final table bubble, and first flag of 2014!
HEaded to gala, lost a little on cash, despite hitting the quad aces bonus for 14 quid. Cost me a huge pot though, sighhhh. Ended up playing chinese with Rehfish and another mate, getting into the game, good fun, hell easy to look down and think, JESUS WHERE HAS 50 QUID GONE!

Another thought, like to get a daily or weekly feature going... Suggestions?

Is yearly an option?

Bi-annually?

That's an ambiguous term, do you mean once every two years or twice a year?

Means twice a year

Biennial, I done learnin' 'ere.

Congrats on the new blog. I love reading about where people have come from to at the point their at now in poker. Very interesting. Good luck with it mate.

Cheers Liam, it hasnt quit developed into breaking fights up yet, but im sure ill be able to do that to before long!!

That's the two year fella, yep.

Or in pokerspeak, that's 4x'ing biannual

I think go for a hand of the week.  Maybe this week you could start with the hand where someone at gala called you with 10 high and was good ;)

sigh...

Shout out of the day, must go to Rehfish, a true hero.

Read to the end and can't find any crudely drawn pictures or dodgy phone numbers...

Great story though and bug congrats on the GPS run.

Cheers David1033, going to try and keep it interesting, however with the likes of Tomsom1823742811 posting continuous garbage, rexas moaning and Gil4001 telling us how much hes binked, i might find ut could be hard to keep it from falling into farce.
Will get another few threads going next week, sharing other interests.
Thanks on the GPS congrats, was delighted to make day 2, let alone an FT, hopefully onwards and upwards from here!

Quick (sort of) update from the weekend.
Thanks to Gorgeous Gary (DerbyLad) for messaging me friday afternoon saying he fancied the xxl giant, of course i did, so headed over there, and we managed a 2nd FT in a week, coming in 7th for £500. Only amusing hand of note , was shoving blind with 1bb UTG, UTG+1 wakes up with  Ad Ac, we suspect we are behind here, roll over the  Tc 2h, tell the table we wont lose and watch the board run out  Jh 3c 7h 9c 8s. weeeeeeeeee
Bust, then sat down on cash, got a full double up with  Qs Qc against Poshboy who mucked, so left there with a profit.
Went to Gala, won a little on cash, then had a degen Chinese session with Rehfish and Gary, lost a bit there which was a shame, but overall a decent day.

Had to travel home for the weekend, funeral tuesday :(
Met my dad and some poker friends from home at Aspers for the evening though. Decided to play a satelittle for a 30/30 coral tournament or something, never heard of it, but pure bubbled in 5th, 3 seats and 4th paid £150. Ah well, sat down at a 1/2 game with £200. Wouldn't usually play 1/2 however, the stack sizes/ the table looked similar to a deepish 1/1 game at DTD.
Had a few hands early on, including dem acez, which i might post on HH, pretty sure i butchered it. We got there OTR though and won a big pot, not really sure how to play it, need a skype group chat first!
Not many hands after that, and left with a decent win of about £400. Very pleased, other mates cashed out wins too, so all in all a successful trip.

Also delighted with the UTD score today.... #inMoyeswetrust

Welcome to blond to LovesADraw too. He's a good mate of mine, met playing in the pub leagues in Kent. He chucked a hand up on the HH earlier, after we had a chat about the best way to go. I suggested he put it here to see what the good players thought. He is a great guy and always nice playing with him.

I just threw this plan out of the window by commenting, sorry :p

Thanks for the plug Verndog.... I'm just off to learn my lessons Haha

Lesson #1.
Dont tip dealers who slag off your play...

Ha I always make it a point to tip the dealers if i win a big pot. Usually do get slagged off for the way I play from the dealers at DTD, but I know its the banter etc as we know them well. However for an unknown dealer to say that is totally unacceptable.

Read first couple of pages, nice start, WP on the GPS score. I don't know if this has been asked before but what are you poker goals? Do you aim to be a professional or is it more of a hobby where you can make some good money while you're at uni?

Erm I sort of mentioned this on my opening page i think,cant remember!!
In terms of poker goals, im fairly down to earth and realistic about it. As i said i dont think setting myself WPT titles and bracelets is realistic, dreams i do have of course, but I think its important to keep goals and dreams separate for now.
2014 for me has started quite strangely in terms of poker, a major FT was something at the start of the year I would never have thought was realistic, mainly due to bankroll/ not being able to play in the events.
From here, would like to play a few more tour events, without busting myself, and continue to improve. I feel deepstack tournies suit my game somewhat, so Id love to keep cashing some of these events, who knows maybe another FT or 2 and who knows a title? But as i said, continuing to improve and grind out profits is the aim.
Also would like to continue developing my online game. While at uni, with work, and the attraction of live poker only 25mins away i dont have the desire to grind bug tournament schedules, however over the summer that is something im definitely looking at doing, with the promise of a resident sicko on blonde to offer some coaching too.
Currently grinding a bit of the cap zoom, and winning a little. DOes this answer the question? Seems like ive blagged a lot there!
Do you play much Luke? Online/ Live?

Play more online than live at the moment because I haven't got a car yet. When I play live it's just a dtd with my dad or brother or I'll play cash at Genting derby. Usually play cash online and sometimes tournaments if I can satellite into the bigger ones. Is that the HU zoom or regular?

Ah ok, might have seen you at DTD before then? How old are you?
Erm its the capped zoom, heads up, very much a solvable game, have a shoved fold chart saved on my bookmarks, but just trying a few tweaks to see if i can reduce the variance pre flop.

Ive not been for a while, last time i was there was for the big game. Not sure if you would recognise me. I played the HU cap for a few hours when it came out but never really got into it. Play 6-max zoom mostly

feels like the fans need a new post. bust week with exams/revision/a little poker.
however, have a course social tonight, so will try whack something together tomorrow!

any updates about?

Definitely the worst diary poster ever.

shut up chris

Live Poker
Seems like an age since anyone posted something worth reading in the diary!!
Will keep it short as dont have much joy to share. Bricked 4 live comps this weekend. 500 lasted till level 8, lost a big one with a set of Jacks, where the villain turned a straight with AK, should have lost the lot, but got our last 15bbs in with 2nd pair, against flopped quads, safe to say we didnt win!
the 150 was crazy, had a maniac table, hero called about 4 times and was good each time, but lost 2 double av pots with a set v a flush draw, then K10cc v J10os on AJxcc, which was frustrating, not used to losing those! Annoying, would have had huge chips for day 2. Ah well.
Bricked the 100 and the xxl on sunday too. No cash either, wasnt feeling it. Was mega tilted after cash on friday night, where despite breaking even for the day, was slowrolled twice, by 2 guys who in my opinion and another players were colluding. Never spoken to a dealer about it before either, most tilted ive been at a poker table. Many thanks to dtd for the 2am complimentary bacon butty, went down a storm!

Online Poker
Won a GP golden ticket which was good, the old man has won 5 now which is slightly worrying, bearing in mind i wont hear the end of it. Hes coming up saturday, so will have to bring my A game to last longer than him in this one!
Made my first FT on stars in a 5.50 cubed, 5th for $620. Very keen to play more online, currently cashed all 3 comps tonight, so not a big schedule but 8th/200 in the last comp im in. Tomsom45667211 and GJill4199 have been helpful on the skype chat, as well as rexas who constantly reminds me how well i run, good for the confidence.

Life

Played a lot of poker recently, and to be fair, didnt enjoy playing as much as i usually do. Might not play live for a while, except the grand prix. Might take all of Feb of, will have to see. The sleeping pattern is screwed, and havent seen as many people around uni as much as I would have liked. One thing for sure is I dont want or need poker to take over my life! So this week is going to envolve lectures, some drinks, work and nandos i think. Rumour has it tomsom974383910 is down this weekend and keen for a few beers and the strippers (sorry mrs dimsum ;) ) haha so am defo in for this.
Had a fun night out with Mike RIchardson after we both bust the 500 too, went for a few beers in notts, which was good to get out! Then a huge nandos before the incredible 800 or whatever the rebuys were!

Thats you're job mate!

Pretty sure it's still an age since anyone posted something worth reading in this diary ;)

(http://thewedordeadwager.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/fwend.jpg)

Top blokes they are! Good Lads!  Same with that Gilly guy, top bloke! Good Lad!

(http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m23biu5C821qctfszo1_r2_400.gif)

(http://24.media.tumblr.com/478f69dc606721109208516827487aac/tumblr_mzg034vF1G1rr202wo4_250.gif)

(http://25.media.tumblr.com/60b00ff838c168109333089da59f292d/tumblr_mzg034vF1G1rr202wo3_250.gif)

(http://25.media.tumblr.com/41206c202623cba2353ee2a4e9fd6a47/tumblr_mzg034vF1G1rr202wo1_250.gif)

Me after leg day...

Even on your best day.....................

If i ran even half as good as you then i've got a chance!

Grand Prix Weekend

Safe to say the last couple of weeks have been less than ideal, and the contents of the wallet are a little bit less than they were!
Wont go into the finer details, but not running as well as we have been in all in situations blah blah blah. Bricked 3 bullets in the Grand Prix, never really got above a starting stack, lacked spots and cards blah blah.
Rehfish scraped through to day 2, but everyone else bricked a number of bullets, not ideal.

Highlight of the weekend was no doubt the Friday night out with Dimsum34, Bowlerization, 12 Bullets Patman and  some of the other Blue Blood crew. Ended up out in Rock City in Notts, which was my first proper night out there, despite being a uni lad at Luufbraaaa just down the road.
Theme of the weekend however was food. Bloody hell, can pompom43 eat, never seen a man smash a burger, a family platter in nandos and 3 portions of DTDs very own spicy sausage within 2 days. Quite remarkable. Feel bad about suggesting he tried it 2 weeks ago! Can also understand why his staking threads dont sell too, after myself and Tighty put 12 pounds each and watched him grind twisters, only for him to do his brains in about 30mins. That kid has no BRM ;)

On the whole, not an ideal weekend poker wise, but had a great one socially!

Have watched MOTD, well the first 10mins of it about 4 times tonight, Liverpool hammering the goners (yes pun intended) will not get old.

I believe tighty made a profit, cashed out then you insisted that we try to go large on $11's.  With 9 buy ins!!!!!

So after the expoits in Rock City last friday, Gorgeous Gary (DerbyLad) and I decided to make the trip across to Notts for a night out. Arrived at Poshboy (not sure im allowed to mention that name here :D) and Mr Wise's house, where they, mr and mrs wotrthechances and a couple of others were clearly much further down the drinking line than us.
Back to rock city, vague memories of a giant rodeo dick on the stage, with everyone trying to stay on as long as they could. Good night, and some ropey looking lads this morning. Have to get them over to Lufbraaa next time, and show them a decent night out.

Had an outrageous bit of run good involving the loss of my credit card. Woke up this morning, went to pay for a cab, no sign of it, yet everything else in my wallet, apart from any cash was still there. Remembered whilst en route to the traino that i had used it the night before in tescos to buy some drinks, headedn back there on the off chance id let it in the card machine. BINK!!! Pretty sure it was never in doubt, gary and I run too good to miss that draw. Celebratory subway and a 4hr shift later, shattered and in for an early night.

Flicking through a few of the blogs, there seems to be quite a few 'song of the day/week' kinda features. They mainly feature up to date, boring, no skill house or head banging music. Depending on demand, and popularity, might start a 70's/80's song of the day/ week for us who like much better music/older readers. Feel free to add your own faves, or question my choices.
Should be a chart topper in no time.
Will leave you with my first choice tonight...

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKhN1t_7PEY

What? still no word on the current beasting you're getting at OFC? Haha

I'm pretty sure this is the worst attempt at keeping to a diary I have ever seen. Maybe you should do something outrageous to get it going (I would say again, but it never really started did it!). Maybe mincash the Sunday Million again, that'll get the heads turning ;)

Much prefer the 2pac cover....  ;D

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9uEtplq6CI

Seriously, apart from the title, this is the worst attempt at a diary I have ever seen.

So it seems a diary update is in order. After nearly 6 weeks, and the last comment being from Rexas, something had to be said.
The lack of updates has been mainly down to a lack of poker. Had a month or so off after a fairly horrible run post GPS, lost a fair amount of my BR and didnt want/ feel comfortable sitting in the games in had been.

Easter
Had a very fun/ relaxing Easter, 10 days in the lake district, which is one of the best places n the world. When i suss out pics/ take some more next time ill post a few on here. Had a number of long/arduous/one very wet walk, including my first trip up Scafell Pike. I do a fair amount of walking in the Lakes, and have been up there once or twice a year for the past 10 years. Was my first summit of Englands highest peak, much overdue!! Went up, as i do every Easter with my old school. Love the week away, on an adventure training week as a helper for Duke of Edinburgh/ mountain biking/kayaking etc etc. Always great seeing my old teachers, and enjoy teaching/ helping the kids, who on the most are a good bunch. COuld really see myself getting into teaching after uni/ if i dont bink the WSOP ME. Certainly seems a decent option career wise at the moment.
Uni is going alright, hit the exams in a month or so, so the revision/ panic has begun! Handed in my dissertation proposal before Easter, and actually really looking forward to it. Looking at Footpath Erosion in the Lake District, so if anyone has any knowledge or an interest in the area, be great to chat about it!

Pokerz

Online has been going alright, had a dreadful MicroMillions, cashed 4 of 50 comps or something similar, just ran horribly. Enough said. More recently have been playing a bit more, and improving. A few reviews with Domdum, Rexas, Polerization, MassiveFish and Gilly on skype have certainly tightened up a few spots i didnt realise i was letting chips go in. Been cashing a few more events, couple ofruns in turbos/cubeds for $100 or so, then best of all came a 5th place in the bigger 8.80 during carnival week for close to $3k. Very pleasing result, hopefully more of a bankroll to play more now.
Live games have gone well too. A few good winning sessions on cash, and then, in my first major comp since the february 500DS, came 10th in the 250 last weekend for £1.4k and a seat in the UKIPT. Met Junior Senior for the first time, and had some fun on the table before it broke. Also good to see Eso and a couple of other Blonderers!! Was initially going to play 1a for the UKIPT, however have changed to 1c on Friday. First MCC cricket game back home on thursday, so everything is a bit hectic this week. Cant wait to play friday, easiest the biggest comp have played in, and just going to enjoy the experience, try make day 2 and see what happens. Also will be about for some cash am sure during the week, so if any heros are about, am keen for nandos or a few drinks!

For some reason, took half of Rehmans action in an IPL fantasy league with Stato, Jack Allen, PJ and Thigh. Loser has a forefeit, and we have slipped up last couple of days. Need to pull our socks up, and it doesnt help that Reh knows nothing about cricket!!
Well back to reality, that episode of 24 has ended and i have a surveying practical to go to. Might see some of you this week!

WP on getting a seat fella. Glad to see everything's paying off.

I'm sorry...you've been left in charge of the team for the last few days and we've slipped up.  I was leading the team to victory

Absolutely no mention of the poker masterclass dished out to you up at Grosvenor Thanet a couple of weeks ago. Shame on you!

No need.  Everyone knows!!!

Thanks mate, feel good going into the UKIPT this week. Friday is going to be rammed apparently, and its the day all the qualifiers are playing, so a few guys at DTD reckoned it might be the best day to play. Will have to see.


What a load of nonsense, seem to remember you changing Warner as our double points scorer and he got bundles that day! Seems like there is a good chance we will be playing a future deepstack in whites though :s
To clear this up for every other uninterested reader, reg138 came 5th in the monthly thanet bowl (Rexas 2014) for £510. Great effort, as similar to Marris and Polerization, shows poker is in actual fact a game of luck.

Sitting in Loughborough train station, waiting for my ride down to the capital seems like an appropriate time to post a quick update.
After a painful coursework meeting yesterday, and after work we headed over to DTD to play some cash. Sitting down straight away in between HoneyBadger and Ceri Rees was not the best seat draw, in a fairly deep 1/2. Lost a couple of annoying pots early on, and reloaded, being in for a little more than if liked, but the game seemed good and felt confident we could claw it back. ZeroFive also sat down, which is always good fun and haven't exchanged blows with him on the felt for a while, and with the aid of some small prop betting, the game became good fun!
Won't bore you too much with HH, but my fave hand was calling 100 quid bomb on K5K2cc8 board with 6s after some thought, and chatting to the guy, to be shown Q4cc. Dem readz :D
Flopped a straight and a couple of sets in a fairly mammoth 10r session, to cash out at 845am with 1.6k, a healthy win. Resisted the urge of Fred and Skalie trying to bumhunt me into the big game, so was pleased there!!!
Can't wait for the comp Friday, come sick names I the club last night, Coren, Cody, trickett, brammer, Kassam ;) and more. Seems like a great event!
Now sat on the train, half decent blond opposite me too, not sure me scoffing this subway is the best first impression though!! Haha, lockbox love x

Absolutely no mention of the poker masterclass dished out to you up at Grosvenor Thanet a couple of weeks ago. Shame on you!
[/quote]

To clear this up for every other uninterested reader, reg138 came 5th in the monthly thanet bowl (Rexas 2014) for £510. Great effort, as similar to Marris and Polerization, shows poker is in actual fact a game of luck.
[/quote]
Actually, you missed the point: my finishing position was of no importance as compared to yours and the way you got dump out of the tournament. Care to elaborate on that masterful play??

To clear this up for every other uninterested reader, reg138 came 5th in the monthly thanet bowl (Rexas 2014) for £510. Great effort, as similar to Marris and Polerization, shows poker is in actual fact a game of luck.
[/quote]
Actually, you missed the point: my finishing position was of no importance as compared to yours and the way you got dump out of the tournament. Care to elaborate on that masterful play??
[/quote]

think i shoved 11bbs from the btn with A3 and you peeled AQ. WP sir indeed

Cricket was rained off today, which was a shame, but managed to have a pub lunch and a few beers with 3 of my best mates at home, which was great.
Played a few comps online too, mincashed 3 i think but nothing of note.
Cant wait for tomorrow! Sorted a pre comp breakfast with ZeroFive at Frankie and Bennys and possibly DumDum, who rumour has it, is in town. If anyone is about, and fancies some pre grind food, come join!
VD x

Day 1c of the UKIPT was fun. That's as much as i can say about it really. Early impressions was that my table draw was good, Ian Simpson to my right, but not bad apart from that. However, as is often the case the cards and spots didnt fall for us. No real weird hands of note, had quads, and 2x open jammed the river on QJ888 as i was pretty sure he had Qx or an over pair, however he folded 10s face up which was annoying. Obviously not a standard line, but i was certain he wasnt folding how the hand played out. Ended up losing a flip with 66 with 11bs v AQd on xxxxdddd. Ah well, the dirty way, but only lost a flip i guess.
Ended up playing an 11hour cash session on Skalies 1/2/4 game. Usually too big for me, but there was only 2/5 games runnng when i bust, and i enjoy the challenge of sitting in tough games, with the likes of Skalie, Sean, Deadman, Goulder etc. Was up pretty much all night, then lost a couple of annoying pots late on, and bust to skalie. Lost one BI or so, so not bad, felt pleasing to sit in a game like that and not feel like i was scared playing pots against players as good as that.
Was initially going to head to DTD today for the 100 turbo deepstack, but decided to play a sunday schedule, and sell for it.
This is the itinerary:
16.00- Scoop 22 L
16.00- Big 8.80
17.15- Turbo Progressive KO
17.00- Big 22
17.30- Hotter 11 Turbo
18.00- Progressive turbo KO
18.00- Big 109
18.30- Sunday Storm
18.30- Hotter 16 Turbo
19.00- Bigger 11
19.15- Deadline Sunday Milly sat
19.30- Scoop 23- L
20.00- Bigger 55

Good luck us! Oh, and up the HAMMERS!

So, 278 seats into the million, on the pure bubble, Antes are 400, we have $8. Then this happens...

By far and away the best hand ive ever been in, with all the boys on skype anti-railing...

http://www.boomplayer.com/en/poker-hands/Boom/8920018_12CF7856B8

Back for another boring blog update blonde!
Been a fairly uneventful few weeks if im honest. Been putting in some revision for the uni exams which finished last friday. Think they went alright, couple better than expected, hopefully if we wrote relevant stuff then the grades shouldnt be too bad.
Online poker has taken a slight back seat, decided to self exclude over exams, and havent got back into it just yet. Looking forward to some decent volume over the summer, MTTs are the go i think, really enjoyed a couple of biggish sessions before exams and should be god to get back to that.

250 Deepstack

Glad the one man came up for the comp again, means i was always guaranteed to do the best in the family again, not sure if he enjoyed thre 3am wake up so i could crash on the hotel floor,  shame he shouldnt have bust so early!!
Not sure what to make of this weekend poker wise if im honest. Was a mixture of dead cards, weird play and run good all ins. Wont bore you with too many details, bullet one went downhill, folded KK on J 7 3 6 Q rainbow, after villain peels a 3 bet, and calls 2 streets. CHeck rivered to maybe call a small bet, but had to fold to a bomb, just so obviously a set. Bust bullet 1, then late regged for a second bullet.
The table was so bizarre, amazing how seemingly bad play gets ultra rewarded. Wadey was certainly voicing his opinions on this! What a grind this bullet was, was determined to try stick through the bad cards and frustratingly bad spots, and try grind out a day 2. THink we played 8-15bbs for around 3 hours, and was moaning my arse off to Ryan (dtd TD). Somehow managed to find a couple of decent spots, and aided by others butchering hands to allow me to catch up, bagged up 140k for day 2, which if im honest felt like the chip lead.
Day 2 played itself, chipped up nicely to 230k, which was still <30bbs, then 3 bet called off AK, and ran into derrr aces. Dem coolerz eh, 90th or something finishing 20 short of the money.
Had the pleasure, although short of playing with mr Kassouf over the end of day 1 and start of day 2. Great fun, and certainly lifted the mood at 230am at the end of a long day 1. Not sure how it would rub with me for 10 levels, but i guess that is an experience i can look forward to!

Prop bets

Tempted to just write sighh, and leave it at that, but may as well humour the rest of you. Been a fairly bad downswing on that front, lost 2 in a row, which sucks.
The cricket white prop has been suspended till further notice, as the other members of the bet were absent for day 1, which i think is fair.
Decided against my better judgement to get involved in a last longer with another member of blue blood. Had never met her before and intentionally not name dropping her to wind her up, and the banter leading up to it, meant that i was obviously destined for defeat, much to the amusement of the other BB members. So, for one day/ comp during Goliath, im going to have to play in something similar to this:

(http://thumbs2.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/m02rhjhPNosFKODFlO24wuA.jpg)

Look forward to seeing you all there for that one. At least if i bust early i can literally spit the dummy out, and copy Rexas in doing so, not sure i could do it so elegantly as him though.

Back home for the summer now, which has been long overdue, looking forward to catching up with mates, few beers and plenty of cricketball. If I play any dtd comps, will be through the online day one, and travel up if we make a day 2. Might try hit aspers in london for some decent cash days too.
Shall leave you all with this fantastic picture, of one of my favourite places in the world. Any guesses to where it is? Pint on me for the first correct guess!!

(http://s23.postimg.org/nfrt87gob/blen.jpg)

And this is the view from the top....

(http://s23.postimg.org/uclzkqcyz/blenct.jpg)

Clue... been in the news recently, for one reason or another!!

Laterz. Verndog x

P.S. Good luck to Tomshite and co i Marbella, oh and to born2busto in VEGAS BABY!

zzzzzzzz

ha changed the end of my last post,just for you Callum! at least you got me onto my 9th page, been wondering if that was ever going to happen

Castlerigg stone circle near Keswick in the lake district

Ha too good Jdog, and the fell? Your choice of tipple next time im at aspers, or goliath, although, they might not serve me in that get up!

Vale of Keswick? ;-)

haha thats where we are, not the name of the fell infront of us!! this is from pic 1

So tonight saw the big reveal for tighty's RSQ. Was feeling, as usual quietly confident about my chances, with the primary objective to beat Somerville, and no embarrassing answers, see Perrygate from 2 weeks ago :(
Cliffs: Joint lead with HuzzMull going into the tie breaker, which was closest to the real answer wins. Real answer $30million, MUllhuzz $30,001million. Hats off, thats a serious guess! Bit gutted, kinda wanted to win one of those! Ah well beat tom and rexas, despite the latter forgetting to enter, im counting it as a win by default.

Have had a very chilled first week back home after the uni exam madness, a heavily cricket based on the tv few days too. Kent v Essex with 4 or 5 good mates playing for kent was a highlight, as well as keeping an eye on the NZ West Indies test. Despite, the result never being in doubt, watching the WI number 11hit the second fastest 50 in test history was hugely entertaining!! The crowd were loving it, despite their side getting thrashed, can only be good for the game seeing the passion that cricket can bring to people in these countries, its a way of life.
Was debating whether to head up to Lords this week, now we have free tickets all year, might go sunday, but seems something else might have come up which is a shame. WIll be there for the india test for sure. Weather is finally cheering up too!

Thought id chuck another pretty cool pic in tonight too, might make it a regular thing. Ideas anyone where i am and what the famous ridge is called?

(http://s8.postimg.org/6zxi7pfg5/hellyy.jpg)

(http://replygif.net/i/1491.gif)

Hellvelyn, striding edge?   I am fairly shit at the lakes but know there is a couple of ridges and a lake somewhere.  Not sure it is there though, but have to go for it given my limited knowledge.  If those people who did your RSQ were paying attention Helm Crag was on Wainwright's Walks on Yesterday on the day of your RSQ.  Surprised so few knew any at all. 

Ps what he said above on the Mirror question. 

This is the worst quiz ever. 

Correct Doobs, deserved better considering you didn't even google.

(http://www.bridgehousegrasmere.co.uk/lake-district-hotel-grasmere-helvellyn-swirral-edge.jpg)

Good Evening all Blondites.

Its been a while, and i apologize for the lack of correspondence over the summer. Been very busy, coaching and cricket takes over a vast amount of my summer holidays leaving poker to take a nice, natural break for a few months. Tenterden CC have had a mid/ late season resurgence, mostly down to a rather good West Indian, and some occasional runs from your truly! :D
Had a couple of day trips to Aspers, Stratford for some cash with Reg138, which went alright. First time cashed out about 200 up, cant remember any interesting hands. Then lost 200 ish the next week, bust hand got it in with 2 overs and the nut flush draw and lost. Ah well, cool story Vern.

Doobs...

Feel like i need to buy this man a beer, and say sorry for not replying to his posts. Correct indeed my good man, Swirral and Striding Edge, on Helvellyn was right, and i agree, most people could surely name a fell, but hey... what do i know?

Managed to get away for a week towards the end of July, up to Keswick, to start some basic research for my dissertation. Got a couple of good walks in too, which let the legs stretch, as well as giving me good excuse for a pint of Wainwright Ale or Peroni at the end of the day!

So, just for Doobs, and anyone else whod like to take part! I promise a quicker reply this time! What fell am i looking at here?

(http://s14.postimg.org/63ow6dyvl/Skiddaw.jpg)

Plans...

BAck to Loughborough next week to sit a couple of exams that I missed in January after my Grandad died. Might get over to DTD but i doubt it. Will be back more often when im back at uni towards the end of September. Would love to play the GPS/ WPT there, but will go down the sat route, or maybe a staking package. Shall see, would love to play them.
Have also invested in a new hat, which needs to be worn for pokerz.

See ya x

Not been around much, so missed the reply. 

No idea on the fell this time.  I am going to struggle a big after Hellvellyn and Old Man Of Conniston, and it isn't either of those.  Don't think it is Helm Crag either and after that I think I am gone. 

If I have you a clue, and said the town is Keswick....?

It is so long since I went to the lakes, I have been to Keswick but couldn't remember the hill name, so had to cheat.  Married someone with a terrible fear of heights, so will be a while longer. 

I have two daughters now, so maybe there is hope.  Took them to the Dales a few weeks ago, to have a look at Malham Cove.  It started raining and the eldest was like f that. 

Whinlatter?

Skiddaw

Used to walk the lakes a lot during my teens and early 20's

Fav is most certainly Hellvellyn

Miss them and wish could get back into it

Have done a fair amount of walking in the Lakes, albeit most on higher ground, however there are loads of low level walks, around lakes and smaller valleys/ villages that dont go too high, but still give great views and a good workout! Seems a shame to miss out! Ha i agree with your daughter, Im very much a fair weather walker, unless im away with a D of E group or something. I wont be going out in the rain unless i have to!


Not quite, Whinlatter is further left of the pic, the other side of Keswick if you like. There is a fantastic mountain biking facility at Whinlatter, which ive been lucky enough to visit/ ride 3 times. WOuld never go near the hardest (black??) route, but went up the second hardest a few times in the past, and its great fun. Wouldnt recommend the totally unfit to give iot a go, as the uphill was bloody tiring!!


Yep! Or Skidda as the locals refer to it. Helvellyn is a fantastic walk, however you have to know which way to go up it! One way is a killer! But striding edge/ the views from the top are pretty awesome! Might try and find a pic of me up there a few years ago...

(http://s16.postimg.org/5egcmvch1/helvellyn.jpg)

Apologies for the headband, it looked cool at the time! haha

So decided yesterday to sell a smallish online schedule on Blueblood. Was around $150 or so over 12 tournys i think. Managed to mincash the bigger 22, and an 80th in the hotter 11 turbo for about $75 i think. Was fairly happy to break even over the day, considering it was the first time id clicked a register button on stars since May or June i think.
Would certainly like to get more into the online grind, and might be easier when i have a little more time on my hands at uni. Zoom looks the best option, as is more flexible etc
Anyone want a horse? :D

So the cricket season is drawing to a close unfortunately, with one league game to go. My club, Tenterden CC have managed a good second half of the season, and comfortably mid table, despite a fairly heavy loss at the weekend. This saturday night sees the annual fines night, which promises to be fairly messy, cant see me doing much sunday!! :D

If it isnt too boring, as there seems to be a tiny bit of interest in the Lake District/ walking posts, i might post some pics/ ideas during my dissertation write up on footpath erosion. Know its a long shot, and most wont give a damn, but anyone who has interest in the area, please pm me!!

Shall leave you with a pic on my favourite valley, Mickleden, connecting up to Great Langdale. Where as im sure a few are aware, there are a couple of great pubs!

(http://s30.postimg.org/8ybbtyhfl/mickleden.jpg)


Over and out x

That sounds like the most interesting thing I'll have read since the fish and chip shop menu last week. It mostly contained fish and chips.

People walking on them is half the problem.  Freeze thaw action and other weather type shit will also contribute.

Selfish isn't it, when the public walk on public footpaths. Bunch of twats.

[19:03:45] Matt Harris: [19:02] Matt Harris:

<<< my god you're terrible

I;ve been on holiday to the Langdale valley for years, at least some of the erosion was me, my bad soz. xx

Updates...

Sold a schedule for today. Went bad till the Bigger 11 and The Milly. Cashed the 11 for $70 and currently 2.5x over average in the milly approaching the cash!
Lets run good!

In the money, 50bbs! Lets shipppp

Congrats for only butchering 53 of the 55 hands i watched you play :) Progress is good, no?

(http://s1.postimg.org/40n28k34v/cool_story.jpg)

(http://media2.giphy.com/media/AO0kmp0Jv8Q6I/200.gif)

Story of your life.

What getting blown a lot?

Seems like a diary post is in order.

Last couple of weeks has seen a return to the online poker world. Been playing most night, a fairly regular schedule and results/ my game seem to be improving. Had some consistent cashes, most notably cashing the WCOOP sunday million for $744 and a 10th in the bigger 55 on sunday for $1.7k. A little disappointing not to FT and go bigger, but ran pretty good 100 players down, but lost 44 > KK for a chunk, which was a shame. Still, a reasonable return for Messrs Doobs and Steve Swift who invested, so cant be too bad :)

Also ordered a new laptop, FINALLY! Really looking forward to getting a HUD installed and grinding a bit more. Feel like it will be a good step into making some more dollar.

Grinding again tonight, starting in the next 10mins or so, be nice for a score tonight, need to claim Gillys goat of him!

Another pic of Great Langdale, for those of us who like pretty pictures..

(http://s18.postimg.org/6f88c9fwp/lllaalal.jpg)

Good luck to the heroes in the GPS and will be back at DTD soon!!

P.S. If anyone could do bank xfer for some stars $$ id be very grateful!

So playing probably my biggest sunday schedule ever today...

Have got my head around the HUD too which is good, so looking forward to it. Will do updates on the thread from last week.

PS Good luck to that hero Tomsom today in the GPS, 8th to beat mate! ;)

Unlucky kid, appears you've been found out. Gl not getting bummed in a german prison!

http://www.thelocal.de/20121219/46863 (http://www.thelocal.de/20121219/46863)

has vern won anything recently? No didnt think so.

haha ok ok, ill write something up this week!

can't have? surely we'd have heard about it by now? ten thousand times?

fyp

(http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/052/3/3/the_eight_of_spades_by_omegalpha-d4qh4h7.jpg)

Vernonfish when you gonna update this blog?

It didn't do Deadman any harm.....

Helllooo blonde!

So after what seems like an age, and a few requests, it feels appropriate to take 15 minutes off from my climate and society essay and post an update. A lot has happened ssince I last posted and its been a fairly surreal few months in all fairness.

Poker

Well, things escalated quickly! Having sold for a joint package with Rexas for the sky mini, we managed to grind away and come 20th, winning a seat for the main event. Bullet one didnt go well, busting half way through the day, after Tom Hall opens CO, we 3 bet JJ of 23bbs from sb, and he rips A10. we didnt win. However, won a second seat the night before in the mega sat, where we had chunks early, but scraped through with 1.5bb, after a lot of folding! Made day 2 with 200k. A decent table draw for day 2, meant we continued to chip up nicely, and made it through the bubble comfortably. Had a slight battle with one guy next to me, played a few pots throughout the day, so when we picked up  Aspades Ks, opened and he 3 bet, we fairly happily 4 bet ripped. Up against KK we found the flush on the turn to win a big pot, before moving table and making day 3 with around 25bbs.
Chipped up a little on day 3, standard fluctuation of a chip stack really, until 5 handed (H4H for the FT), we find 10 10 on our button, and tom hall 3 bets us out of his BB, we jam, and get looked up by Kings. find the 6 7 9 flop, and get the 10 on the turn to double up.
8 left.... lost a big pot bvb so where down to 10bbs. Skalie opens, fun4fraser flats cut off, and we jam 8 8 from the button. Hating life when Skalie re jams and fraser snaps him off. up against K J (skalie) and KK of fraser.  RIvered the  8s, for an incredible bit of luck, and sent the rail fairly crazy. Big shock, to go from being out to 2nd in chips in one card, was very surreal. Amazing how it all can come down to luck of the cards.
We get heads up with fun4fraser, who with a 4/1 chip lead, bossed it, leaving me little room for play and employed a limp jam approach. Gt in A4 v QQ and didnt win.

Havent played loads since then, dissertations and easter meant tournaments took the back seat. Couple of bad cash sessions wasnt what the doctor ordered though!
Finished 8 of the money in the UKIPT which was a shame, and bricked GUKPT Edinburgh main, but 2nd in the omaha side for £1.3k covered the trip nicely, including the dinner flips with Eso, and buying the cab driver a large donner kebab!

Real Life

Going good! The dissertation was handed in before easter. Been really struggling with uni since xmas, having regrets over the course i chose and its been a real grind. Guess the course hasnt quite been what i expected, and although the uni lifestyle is alright, i struggle with not having a set routine a lot of the time. Am one of those people who works and functions better on a routine and finishing uni and getting back into one is something im looking forward to. Current plan is to maybe venture into the world of teaching, similar to Poshboy, as I very much enjoyed my school days (public school, sorry Tikay!!!) and feel I would embrace a teaching career well.
Have also aquired a girlfriend, been seeing each other since november. She is most certainly way too good for me, so im just putting it down to some extended run good, dodgy eye sight and terrible taste on her part!

Vegas Baby!

Had 6 days in Vegas over easter. HAs been booked since the back end of last summer as a family trip. This year is my parents 25th wedding anniversay and they spent the best part of a month of and around the USA and Cancun. My brother and I flew out to surprise my mum and it was great, few tears on her part too. Safe to say my dad got a slap for keep it all hush!
Vegas, what a place! We had a lot of stuff crammed into 6 days, skydiving, cirque du soleil, penn and teller, grand canyon helicopter tour, elton john, and some other things.
Over the next week, will try upload some pics. Also looking at booking 10 days for the world series over there, end of june- start of july, and playing 4 or 5 events, including the $1,111 one for one drop. Hopefully heading out there with Tomsom, the old man and a couple other heros, as well as hopefully having some beers with the english contingent whilst out there. Hopefully promises to be a good summer if we can book that up.

Cricket season has started, and looking forward to getting back out there, aswell as the golf course, and spending some time with my mates back home
Seems a very long update, will try and post more regularly now the bulk of uni work is over, and maybe even turn it into a Vegas diary in june!

Verndog x

Didn't know you were tanking Vegas. Hit me up and if I don't go for the long haul ill tag along to ruin tomsoms time!

sweet sounds good. messaged you on skype.

Thanks for the mention mate.

*****

after your terrible efforts with the masseuse, i didnt feel you were worthy of one ;)

Haha, I gave you solid advice! Was just a shame you were back home by then.

haha, possibly true. better than any advice Blacklock could give anyway!!

GOOD LUCK.

Nice to have an update since it all went crazy for you! I was in a similar position to you last year with regard to uni, the course wasn't what I expected etc, but you'll miss it like hell when you leave, even if it takes a while to realise it!

On another note, what handicap do you play off for golf?

Good luck if you do go back to Vegas!

Dont play loads of golf at te moment unfortunately. Cricket has always taken up loads of time in the summer!! Think if i play twice a week for a couple of months, could be down in the late teens/20s effectively. WIll see, definitely a good challenge for the summer!

Last friday, on the drive home to sunny kent, I stopped off in Luton, to play the 25/25. Met up with Eso, who was already on his 2nd bottle of red, so as per usual he was in good spirits. First table, I ended up having Nirvana on my left, and albeit briefly, due to a table move, chatted away about cricket and lots of things. Really nice guy, always good to put faces to blonde usernames!!
Had a fairly boring day 1, busted in level 8, then railed Eso completely God mode the last 3 levels, and bag up chunks.

Saturday saw the open day of the cricket season, and having been drafted in last minute and not getting home from Luton till 4.30am, managed to whack a quick 50! More luck than anything else. Driving back home today, MCC game tomorrow at my old school, which will definitely be good fun, then first league saturday. Expecting to be unable to move sunday, might play a couple of SCOOPs, we shall see.

WIth summer approaching, theres a good chance I wont be playing as much poker, with cricket commitments and being home, means Ill be busy with other stuff. Definitely be playing some sundays and live, but certainly not as much as uni. Think more of a break is good personally, and can save all the run good for Vegas!!

Still havent got round to loading any Vegas pics onto my laptop/ facebook yet, however there is this cracker, taken just before we went on the zip line between the two towers at the Rio.
Think my mum was looking forward to it?!


http://postimg.org/image/6eyn0r5bv/ (http://postimg.org/image/6eyn0r5bv/)

***sigh for some reason, it wont let the pic upload and show here, anyone got any ideas?!***

(http://s17.postimg.org/xpjy8o88v/rio_pic.jpg)

thanks Tighty, how do you do that!?

right click the image

click copy image location

find the (http://) hashes above (click the photo frame)

paste the image in

even a simple kentish bear like you could do it

Sold some action for a decent grind tonight, including the b109 and Scoops L and M.

Had a really good day, cashed a few comps. Got 2nd in the 11 cubed for $2.1k and then 11th in the 22 cubed, which was pleasing, but still going to bed feeling like it could have been more!
Still a good day in profit! Not Pads profit, but im chuffed haha

Tempted by the 1k main event scoop as a one off punt, will this be good value/ worth a go?

Night all

Hi Big Man,

We would really like you to enter the blonde WSOP Fantasy League, which closes at 7pm TONIGHT.

Why?

1) We all think you are great, & would win it. 

2) We don't have a single entry (around 80 in total so far) beginning with "V".



sort it out

at least you have your first V now! oh and hello Jeeves, im guessing its you!! How was the flight back to budapest?

^^^^^

Rumbled.

Spoilsport.

Hello Blonde, its been way too long. A lot has happened in 6 months!!

Cliffs... as i wouldnt want to bore you

1) Finished my degree (finally!)
2) Went to Vegas for my first WSOP. Amazing place and a brilliant time had. Playing and railing, especially the Trumper rail in the 10k PLO. Great night, did get slightly too drunk, and made a bit of a fool of myself.
3) My cricket club won promotion to the Kent Premier League for the first time, which is exciting
4) Online MTTs has been going well, winning for the year.
5) Live cash, apart from Vegas has been very bad since April/May, although not played much.
6) Working close to full time at the moment, long term aim is to get into teaching potentially. However coaching cricket mainly plus rugby at the moment at a couple of good private schools in the area, including Eastbourne College. Also involved with the CCF and D of E there too. Really enjoying it at the moment

Hoping that wasnt too long, a full post would have bored me!

Why re start the diary?

Despite working a lot at the moment, and really enjoying it, I am still very passionate about playing poker and play when I can. I have set aside a chunk of money to use as a live cash bankroll, starting at 1/2 in aspers stratford, predominantly, and anywhere else I end up playing, dtd etc. With work, will be able to get down there once or twice a week,  maybe more in the holidays, as well as being able to grind online.
By updating the blog, it will enable me to record results as well as post hands of note, motivating myself to keep writing, and hopefully people will want to read!! For those who know me, they will know that I wont be moaning about running bad but will use it as a chance to gain hand analysis and improve my game.
Will also update on real life things and try to be as interesting/ entertaining as possible!!

Been going to the cinema a lot recently (cineworld unlimited card). Seen some great films lately, really liked Legend and The Martian. Thought Spectre was alright, good action movie, but I expect more when it comes to James Bond films. What does everyone else think? The new Tom Hanks film ive seen trailered, Bridge of Spies, looks very very good.

Over and out

working as a cricket coach did you say, in PE departments?

Sort of, mainly working with a the cricket pro at Eastbourne, group sessions and 1/1s and then for his companies academy set up when not at the college.

In before you run bad for the first time and start moaning about it!

Honestly I thought Spectre was shit. A complete mess of various storylines which didn't make a great deal of sense and just led from one action sequence into another, and the bit where bond was practically crying for whats his face to not show whats her name her dad dying was so un bond like. The original bond was supposed to win because he was harder and cleverer than everyone else, you compare the bond in Specter to the one in the latest Casino Royale and it's just not the same. The whole ending where he walks away with the girl etc, that's not bond, bond's the bloke who makes jokes while he's getting tortured ffs!

I agree, if it was a standard action movie, you'd walk out thinking youd had your monies worth. want a bit more from 007. not very often hes walked away from the villian and left him alive either. just was a bit of a mix really. get Roger Moore back i say!!

You've earned yourself a re-subscription

Ha hes awesome, could watch those Bond films all day! COnnery was bloody good too

Connery was my fav, mainly due to this

(http://www.flickeringmyth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/goldfinger-pussy-galore.jpg)

Goldfinger was a great film imo

I do believe that's Pussy Galore. Can't help but say it in a Connery voice!

Goldfinger was the first & last Bond film I ever watched, & I saw it at the Hammersmith Odeon. (Utter tripe, imo).

That was, it seems, 51 years ago.

It's only today reading this that I've cottoned on to the double intendre in Pussy Galore.


 

This is supposedly the Bond before he became suave and sophisticated. This is the one with the drink problem, causing more trouble than he resolves.

Craig is closest to Fleming's Bond than probably any other iteration. Yes, including David Niven. Haven't seen Spectre but this is certainly true of Craig's 007 oeuvre to-date.

Assuming you're right, would this bond have really let his arch enemy life while w walked off into the sunset as it were? Surely he would have killed him? You like the new film Tal?

You're missing out Tikay, some of the films are cracking, Craig isn't one of my top 3 Bonds, but do like him. Maybe I just prefer the slightly more lighthearted approach of Moore or Connery.

Hopefully you will improve the town team, seeing as they get a lot of the team from the College. Team been getting worse for years mind..lol

you prefer Moore as Bond to Craig?

my word, my word.

Craig isn't a bond for those that like Loaded mag, but is a far more rounded character. more flawed and introspective

Moore might as well have dressed up asa  court jester with a laughter backing track. The worst bond by far

Bad read there Vern, very bad read.

I'd not watch a Bond film if you paid me £100.

Horses for courses & all that.

I'd say Craig was probably my favorite, in Casino Royale he managed to seem like he was in total control the whole time, had the arrogant hard man thing down. Just seemed a lot tougher and a lot more violent/ruthless than the others, which is how I always pictured bond.

Are you just not into that sort of thing? If it's bond you didn't like but aren't averse to a good spy action film, the earlier Bourne films are worth a watch. Very good imo, Jason Bourne had that everyone's afraid of me thing that Bond always seemed to be missing

Correct.

I'd pay good money to watch a nature documentary, yes, but not Bond or spy sort of stuff. Just not my thing since I qualified as a grown-up.

What would you say your top 5 films are then Tikay?

Lock Stock (nap)
Snatch
Pulp Fiction
Reservoir Dogs
Sound of Music (that's what he tells the fiancée, obviously)


I'm betting the over on 3.5 btw

In no order of preference...

Shawshank
Dead poets society
Usual suspects

Will need more time to think of the other 2!!

Possibles:the green mile, Notting hill, gladiator, the sixth sense. Ahhhh so many!

The Godfather
Taxi Driver
Apocalypse Now
Goodfellas
American Beauty

Gotta say I'm with the old man regarding Bond, the whole franchise has never really interested me. The premise of every film is the same, give or take. I appreciate that this goes against the grain, as Bond is somewhat of a national institution on these shores.

Awesome, your bet is a winner, you got 4 out of 5.

 Reservoir Dogs was too scary, had to turn it off when they cut the geezers ear off.

Replace that with The Titchfield Thunderbolt and you get 5/5.

Should add, have not watched a new film for 10 years or more, and have no plans to change that.

Casino Royale brought Bond back with a bang. Action sequences far better than anything seen before in Bond.
Since then the stories have just got more ridiculous. How the fk does Q still have a job after being the cause of the computer virus getting uploaded in Skyfall?

Tikay - why have you chosed not to watch any films from the last 10 years?

Tikay doesn't do fiction.

As sonour notes, I don't really do fiction, be it books or films, except for gangster style stuff.

Movies don't do a thing for me either, just not my bag.

As a kid, I got forced to visit the local Odeon or Gaumont to watch Sound of Music, West Side Story, The King & I, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, all that bollox, but since then I doubt I've been to the cinema 5 times in 50 years. Last 2 times was to see Jurassic Park,  (22 years ago) & Made in Dagenham (5 years  ago).

I doubt I'll ever go again. Films just don't interest me. On the flight home from Punta Cana, 12 mind-numbing hours cramped in an aeroplane, with the cabin lights off, so unable to read a book, the In Flight Entertainment included 84 films. I scrolled through all 84 listed, but could not find one that I felt able to watch. I did briefly consider Wolf on Wall Street, which was the last film I watched outside of home, but I saw that on the Vegas flight last year.

I enjoy the gangster stuff though. Godfather, Goodfellas, Pulp Fiction, Snatch, Lock Stock, those sort of things.

Gill likes to watch films, & kind of wants me to watch them with her, "you'll like it, trust me", I just politely feign interest, & then generally nod off.  

Not being rude like, but the fact that grown ups enjoy stuff like Bond films astonishes me.  I guess that cuts both ways though, folks think I'm odd because I don't like films.

Each to their own, eh?

Whilst i like films I prefer tv series more. Tend to only watch 'new' films on flights to and from Vegas. Don't do cinema, except for the odd kids film with the little un.

If you not seen it, watch Layer Cake, has Daniel Craig in it pre Bond

I don't like films either Tikay. Pete and all my friends know I don't like films but they still keep asking me to watch them. I try so hard not to be rude but I don't have time to do things I really want to do so it just seems crazy to me that I should spend time doing something I would really hate.

Pete and our mate Ken where going to see the latest Bond film and asked me if I'd like to go. I politely declined but offered to cook dinner for us all for when they returned.
When they got back they spent the next few hours telling me every scene from the film and from the latest episode of Fargo and from is it the Lost Kingdom.

Whilst listening to all this another friend rang me up and said ' I know you don't  listen to bad beat stories but I must just tell you this one '

Sometimes I feel like screaming. :)

Ha, post of the week, I can exactly recognize all that.

When I'm at a UKPC, I recognize the signs that someone is about to tell me a bad beat tale, & I've developed a number of ways to combat it, or steer them in a different direction. None of them work, they are determined to tell their sorry tale.

It's a complete & total lack of self-awareness. I mean, show me someone who enjoys being told a bad beat tale? It's tournament poker, all bar one of the entrants will fail to win.

You'll never guess how I went out

I mean, what's the retort to that? Whatever line I take, the tale still follows.

I stand there, eyes glazing over, & eventually the torture ends. Then they go tell someone else.  ;)

I generally go with the class "I don't care" :p The joy of not being on tv I guess, I don't have to be nice :)

yeah think i coach with the current 1st team captain, nice guy. know a few of the lads do play there, seems like they have a young side, but in a couple of years then they will start improving. nothing bad with blooding them in and looking long term for the sake of a year etc.
do you live down there then? am down there alot, always a nice drive along the sea front on a nice morning!

Think I shall be heading off to Aspers tomorrow then and grinding some cash, cant wait. feels like its been ages since ive played.  Will be heading up hopefully with my mate Patch, (loveAdraw) on here i think.
Schools break up in a week or so for the holidays so am going to have 3/4 weeks off, will be away for week at Xmas with the family. Really looking forward to playing poker, seeing the girlfriend and playing some golf hopefully if the weather holds up!!

Saw 'Lady in the Van' last week, and really enjoyed it. Maggie Smith plays a great part and Im sure she ill be BAFTA nominated at least.
Then last night, 'Bridge of Spies'. Great movie, especially when you consider it a true story. Tom Hanks, is a superb actor and with Spielburg, you know youre going to be in for a great film. Definitely worth a watch.

Coaching tonight in Sevenoaks then a 6am start to get down to Eastbourne. taxing, but worth it, really enjoying it at the moment.

So hmmmm first bullet didn't go according to plan. Sat in a fairly good looking 1/2 game with £250, meandered around start for a while then 5 bet jammed KK from the BB after button opened after one limp. Called off fairly quick with AK an got the ace on the flop. Pretty standard hand and grim way to run out but whatever, I defo won't be turning this into a moan blog!
Nearly reloaded but fancied somethig different. £60 comp starting with 60k starting stack at 100/200 with a 30min clock. Fairly ridiculous and could turn into a shove fest, but fancied giving it a spin.

Good to see Chelsea losing! And Mahrez scoring 3 for the dream team today! Certainly cheered me up!

Might see Black Mass tomorrow at the cinema before the Liverpool game. Anyone seen it??

Yeah, watched it last week.

Pretty decent, but no Donnie Brasco, imo.

yeah trailers looked good, but couple of the reviews werent so hot. am skipping it today, but will give it a spin at some point for sure.

decided to grind today, prtty excited for it, always love playing online. seems strange how you are always like a kid in a sweetshop an hour before starting, despite the fact you often do your brains on sunday!!

Haven't got to see black mass yet, been mega busy with work and generally sorting stuff out for Xmas. Broke up for the holidays with the schools I'm coaching at, and running a winter coaching course Monday- Wednesday next week. Result this, really enjoy it and pay is good.

So over the time off will be looking to grind when I can. Have sold some action for a number of grinds, with the first being yesterday. Cashed a couple of the 5 cubed comps, but looked like it was going to be a losing start. Ended up a winning day as we found 10th in the big 55 for $650 and change. Always a little disappointed when there's 13k up top, but decent win for the day, so onto the next.

As a family for Xmas we go up yo Grantham, my parents own a time share lodge for Xmas week at Belton Woods hotel. Couple of golf courses and swimming pool/ sauna/ bars etc mean for a great chilled out week. Also being 50mins across to DTD means will be getting over for the £150 deepstack and hopefully the £500 too. Not played there for 6 months or so, bee too long! Be good to see some heroes and have a few beers and hopefully win something!

Have booked surprise tickets to go to the west end and see Wicked for the girlfriends birthday. Saw it a few years ago at school, and she hasn't seen it. Will be great, an amazing show, and always love going up to see a show and get some food. Pretty sure she wants to go to Winter wonderland, so will be heading off there too. Although I refuse to go ice skating!
Anyone been there this winter? Anything to do? The show is at the Apollo in Victoria, will look to get some food too, good restaurants?

Over and out

Went to winter wonderland last week

Ice bar is good ice sculptures worth a look and a beer or 3 in German village is a must
I had never been before and did not realise all bars shut at 10

awesome, thanks, am heading up tuesday, so will definitely check them out. ive heard its very expensive!!

Played online, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Won a little bit overall, but was largely a frustrating time. Played well, just so many nearlys. 46th 109 bounty, 16th 11 rebuy, 10th b55, 27th 13.50ko, 39th 8 rebuy and a couple others. Fairly standard, but still disappointing to get so close in a few comps with decent money up top. Must be doing something right, and results will come.

Shame my horse in the Apprentice sweepstake went, although i thought she was an idiot, would have been nice to win some cheddar!

Curry with the lads from the cricket club, which will be good, and a good chance to get the xmas jumper out again!

HAve a good weekend people

Back on it again tonight, lets get the lot!!

Happy New Year to all blondes and reader(s) ;) of the blog. Had a relaxing week away in Grantham with the parents and brother and then a fun night out with some mates for New Years.

Bust first bullet in the 150 xmas deepstack, but bought in for 2 day and managed to come 5th for £3500. Played pretty good, ran well too. Lost a 4m chip pot with 15 left with a set of 9s v aces on K 9 4 dd, got it in and he hit running diamonds, to leave me with 5bbs. Managed to double then chip up nicely, but got nothing going on the FT. Jammed 12bbs from the sb and BB called off with K7o, which i thought was a little light, and we didnt hold, so was a little disappointed. Will win one of these soon!

Faded the 500, couldnt be arsed to stay up there for 3 days and kill time!

Back to coaching tonight, which am looking forward to. Back into the full swing of it tomorrow, need to touch up on the hockey skills too!

Hows it blonde!?

Been a while. Not too much has been happening, the usual working and playing poker when I can really. Enjoying the Hockey at the moment, and am trying hard to learn the rules as I go, but there are a fair few rules!!

Poker front has been going well, grinded for the first time in a couple of months last week in half term and had a 5th in the 8r, 2nd in the big 109 for $9500 as well as a good winning sunday.
Have changed a few plans and will be heading up to Nottingham on saturday for the UKPC. Great comp last year, and hoping to go one better and win it this time around!

Took the lady away for a few days to Dartmoor at the start of the half term week, to The Mill End Hotel near Chagford for a couple of nights...

(http://www.drewsteigntonparish.co.uk/images/IMG_2392_46_1_1_CG.jpg)

with a cream tea on arrival...!

(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10385434_10153723267796281_3044603438528281920_n.jpg?oh=e2375451828896574a9448e0560950ae&oe=576E5E2B)

Lovely setting, and great restaurant. Booked this off travelzoo at xmas, and have to say really impressed. Really are some great deals and will be using the site again!

Unfortuntely the weather on the second day meant we couldnt quite get out to have a good walk, but I was dragged along to Paignton Zoo, which was great, despite being a little soggy!

Always nice to bump into Vinny too!!

(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/12733650_10153723267416281_3788497655321300973_n.jpg?oh=47d0aa09948c40821c4d6a8fec7452da&oe=575A3F40)

:D

Shall leave you with this, proof that ice cream can be enjoyed on a wet cold day!!

(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlf1/v/t1.0-9/12743703_10153723267746281_1687769989703460465_n.jpg?oh=e77abc587099e983c989b8a4fdce628c&oe=5756A199)

Over and out, see some of you saturday! be good to catch up with some people

Thank you for the kind comparison there vern. I don't recall you being so brave whilst up in scotchland last year.

Hope you bubble at DTD this week xxx

haha im sure I would have been this brave, then again, always nerve racking travelling to a foreign country with only Eso as protection!!
thats not very nice :'( im sure you dont mean that, I mean there has to be an iron bru in it for you if i cash!!

Well just to cheer Vinny up, we didnt bubble, made it to the last level of day 1 before busting. Grinded all day after having AA into KK and 98hh in level 3, which was nice. Then on, had no real cards or spots and a couple of sick hands before eventually busting jamming 99 with 10bigs and running into 10s. So pretty standard.

The had a pretty ridiculous hand on a spazzy 2/2/4 PLO game, where i think I made the right call, 8 straddle is on i think i open  Aspades Ks Kd Qd 3c 4h utg to 20, and all hell breaks loose. 4 way all in by the time it gets tome, i cover all, but its £500 to call off, with about 1.5k in the middle give or take. I called it off. Think its fine in 6 card omaha, what do people think?

Had a couple of online sessions since, and havent gone particularly well, played wednesday and lots with aces a lot, happens yeah, but still doesnt feel great when you brick an entire day.

(http://s11.postimg.org/jtx9vnc77/mindblowing.jpg)

Never play 6 card omaha, but loads of 4 card plo8.  Instinct is it is likely bad.  You effectively just have 4 cards, AKKQ which not only gets smashed by AA, but must also be smashed by 887766 and stuff like that.  I'd probably struggle to get any hand in with my 500 that is behind yours, but it is lol live poker.  Suited ace is good though, must have at least 6% or so.  Put it in hand analysis and you might get more takers. I could be hopelessly wrong.

Play a lot of 6 card plo. It's really bad getting in so much money in the middle with any 6 card hand pre. It's a drawing post flop game. Doobs is right your crushed in one spot, but lol everyone is just gambling.

Well well well! Good evening blonde!

Hope all is well. Not had a great deal to report since the last time i posted. Life drifted on through the summer, not in a bad way but nothing too exciting happening. The cricket club finished 3rd in the league, which was incredible really, and somehow, yours truly burgled his way to 4th in the league runs!

Started out on a new career path towards the end of the summer, diverting away from the teaching/ coaching. So some studying and hard work later, and for the last 3 weeks or so I have been offically an authorised Mortgage broker, specialising in mortgages and protection. Will seem very boring to most, but am loving it so far. Am officially self employed, without any basic salary, which seems quite daunting, but hard work initially can set me up very well down the line, and in my opinion definitely the right way to go.

I have also invested in 3 greyhounds, 1 of them, racing name 'Reagrove Aero' has run 4 times now, starting in a9, winning a race and moving up to A6 last time out. Shes very young and very small compared to other dogs, but the trainer is confident she will be a good racer, likely around the A6-A3 range. Her kennel buddy, started out in A6, won his first race by 7 lengths and then won an A1 next time out, picked the wrong dog!
Also have a slightly smaller share in another 2 dogs, recently come over from Ireland. Both are trialling at the moment, and have very high hopes for one of them. Will keep you updated on how they get along, as well as post some pictures.

I shall try to keep updating this a little more going forward, more as a whole of life blog with a little poker mixed in along the way. Feel free to ask questions or comment total air, be good to get some traffic away from Esos diary!

Vern

Excellent! Want me to inform everyone of the fairly major grim you're running at the moment to boost your diary a bit?

Haha, I will carry out the forfeit at some point when I get the chance.
Pretty shocked by the news about Ross Patman yesterday, shows no matter how much of a good guy seems to be, you never really know what's going on deep down. Pretty horrific really.

Very shocking, when you look back, never had a girl friend, never had "mans chat " spoke to him most weeks since he went AWOL he is up on the 12th Dec but looking 11yr stretch,

Very shocking indeed.

So a cancelled appointment this morning has led to a fairly quiet morning in the office.

The poker side of things has been fairly quiet over the last few months. Obviously with starting the new job funds haven't been sky high but have managed to get the odd cash session or comp in here or there. The local snooker club has set up a new poker league and gets good runners and pretty decent prizepools. So for now, until I can get back up to DTD a bit more, that is a good alternative.

I have a weeks holiday to use, basically my parents traded in a time share and have a pass to anywhere across the world, providing its on the list of hotels available, if that makes sense. Any suggestions, was thinking Austria round september/ October?
If not maybe Morocco or Egypt late summer. Always wanted to travel Europe a bit more, and Austria is a lovely part of the world by all accounts. Anyone been there? Or any other suggestions?

Vern

Alpine Austria in oct/nov probably the worse time to visit I'd say. Summer or snow is rather nice but late autumn is pretty dull. Very seasonal in terms of entertainment options as well. Tirol pretty much shut downs at that time

A 2 year grim!

I never answered this but gives an excuse to bump your diary for an update.
Yep, I live in the town. My Son started playing for the u10s this year, but as is common at the club gets played up so plays under 11s and u12s too.
Are you still playing cricket?

Well good evening blonde!

It seems that having been a year since my previous post, I am clearly denying blonde of some truly magnificent writing and fairly uninteresting life events. Therefore, I will try to provide some more regular updates into my world and hope that out there on this forum or beyond there are some people who take some kind of interest!
I shall  break the updates into key parts, as I feel that this might read better and I will try to provide picture support where I can.

Work

Well, what a crazy year 2017 has been on the work front. This time 12 months ago I had just been authorised as a mortgage broker and began working under a company within an estate agents. We went to change networks around May, and went to a smaller company, still as an 'Appointed representative' with the aim to become Directly authorised further down the line. However, things turned fairly sour for myself and the new network made it clear that they were not keen to have me from the start, and when it came to compliance made things extremely difficult to progress cases. It all came to a head when I 'breached' a network rule and was asked to leave the company. Obviously people reading will think i have sour grapes and am making excuses, however, I have spoken to three people who run their own Financial services company since, who have told me that at worst it was a finger wag and certainly wasn't as bad as was made out to me.

So what next?

Myself and my best friend, who also works in the industry have decided to take the plunge and set up our own limited company, offering fee free mortgage and insurance advice. We have taken on everything as our baby, and come up with the name and website designs etc. Company logo and name are shown below, am really chuffed with it and how it has come out. The website and company itself has not quite gone 'live' yet as final checks and authorisation are pending however we hope to be up and running in the New Year. any guesses to where we will be based? However, we have clients all over the country, and can deal with anyone's mortgage, regardless where they are from in the country. What do people think of the logo?

Due to life insurance liabilities from my old company, I finally received my outstanding pay packet from my old boss last week, having not been paid since march! It has been a little bit of a struggle this year money wise, however long term, the best decisions have been made.

(http://i68.tinypic.com/28v3qj8.jpg)



Poker

Due to the work situation, i have taken a slight sabbatical from the poker world. To be fair though I usually play less over the summer due to cricket and other things going on at weekends. However last couple of months I have started trying to play a little more and get back into the swing of things.

After finalllyyy getting some money through from my old boss, I decided to treat myself to the 888 Aspers main event last weekend. Only went and binked the thing! Much to mine, and Doobs delight, oh and maybe Pickens too!!

(http://i65.tinypic.com/25ksio3.jpg)

I am still waiting for a trophy to come through, as Aspers did not have it at the time!! Will be up there for the Xmas cracker this weekend, anyone else about?? Really good comp usually and should smash the £50k guarantee.
Also managed to find 7th in the Sunday warm up on sunday for $5500 too which saved the day dramatically! Shame the $39500 for first would have been another nice addition to the bank account!

Not much else to report of major excitement. I split up with my previous girlfriend at the end of March. It just wasnt working for me for a number of reasons, and despite the fact she was a great girl, and I still have fond memories, we went our seperate ways.
In June I started seeing a new lass, called Emma. Things are still going well since then and looking forward to xmas together!

Am going away again with the family for xmas up to Grantham. Looking forward to a week away again with them. Possibly going to try get across to DTD on the 29th for the 1k in a day comp they have there. Anyone played one before? Good value?

Any requests for anything as a feature of previous blogs? Anything to inspire more readers!


Over and out,

Verndog


(http://i66.tinypic.com/2q8x0kx.jpg)


p.s no, that is not my only hoodie :P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmnL4x2jwm8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmnL4x2jwm8)
Gratz

Haha that's what a lot of the other blogs seem to be so thought I'd follow suit

Had a very unproductive trip to Aspers for the Xmas cracker. Bust 4 levels from the end of day 1, losing a big 3 way all in with 10s

Then on the way home, come across the black wall tunnel was shut! Disaster! So had to trek across London to lewisham and Bromley to then get back to the A20. I never thought in my life I'd be driving over tower bridge at 3am, so I guess that's something

Played online tonight and broke even for the day, had a decent enough run in the 109 bounty builder to get us back to even

Greyhound update

Had two winners tonight at Crayford! Reagrove aero won an A3 and Out of Chicago won an open race! Been some month for Aero, went on season having had some disappointing runs and has come back on another level. 3 weeks ago she was 7/1 in an A6, 3 wins later she's won an A3 by 2 lengths. Happy days. Very chuffed with that. I wonder if Arrboy or anyone has won any money off either of them in the last few weeks?

Watched a re run of Out of Chicago's race, leading from the second bend and holding on in an 8 bend race was quite impressive, u must be very pleased with the run. Well done.

Congrats on the recent scores as well.

Yeah we are chuffed with her. We own her as part of a slightly larger syndicate so don't own as much but she's been doing every well for a while now. The trainer decided to switch the dogs over from sittingbkurne to crayford and can't complain with that choice! Been meaning to go watch or see the dogs for a while. Will get some pics up when I do!
What are people doing over xmas?

Off after tomorrow until the 2nd. Looking forward to spending plenty of time with family as well as putting some research in on which Cryptos to buy next!

Merry Christmas to all of my few followers! Hope it was a good one.

Who got the most interesting present?

Will be at dtd tomorrow for the 1k if others are about and fancy Nando's before?

Happy Xmas mate!

Did nothing but eat, and got a 2nd Xmas day tomorrow when my brother is over with his mrs and kids.

Not opened any of mine yet, but know that they're not likely to be any more interesting than boxers, and molton brown.

Would love a Nandos, but I'll have to enjoy from the south coast :)

Best of luck in the comp!

I can't make the nandos.

I think I must have shown way too much interest in my kids lego over the years, as I am now the proud owner of a lego beetle creator kit.     

:D

Haha at least you'll smell nice! I hope the south coast is a little nicer than Grantham is today.

Not played at dtd for ages! So looking forward to seeing some similar faces. Anyone played one of the 1k1days before? What's the structure like?


Ah very nice, I got a 3D lego set of the Sydney opera house! So will definitely be tackling that once I get home on Saturday!

Never really was a huge fan of it growing up but always admired some of the models. Will have to post a picture when I'm done

Will be at The Vic today from 12ish playing the GUKPT main. Anyone about come say hi/ be great to grab a beer

Hi Vern,

Good luck today.

Do me a favour please, if you see the guy below, wish "good luck" to him on my behalf please.

He's a good guy, pleasantly rotund, and goes by the name of ESSEXPHIL Next Door, probably as his name is Phil Green, & he lives in posh Frinton-on-Sea of all places. 



(http://i.imgur.com/U5sMiol.jpg) (https://imgur.com/U5sMiol)

Hi Tikay,

I shall try to use the luck wisely!

I will look out for his name on the seat draw and go say hello if he's there.

Though I try steer clear of those Essex folk, being a Kent man myself.

Anyone else about?

Straight on the feature table 😅 Gonna have to not do anything stupid now!

What seat are you in?

Seat 7. Pasty white kid with a Superdry hoody on!

GTO Aces...

Wow nearly 4 years since I posted. Where has that time gone?!

Anyone still a regular follower on blonde in general? Have logged back onto the site for the first time in a while.

Life update:

Nothing major! Playing a lot of live cash in London and going fairly well. Will look to share some hands here going forward.

Work:

Looking at setting up my own business as it never moved forward a few years ago.

How’s everyone else?

Good to see you back.

What sort of business you planning to start?

All good here thanks. Karabiner is still quite old, Vinni has still not paid for dinner, Marky is still grimming us & Red-dog us still moaning.

Mr Tikay, good to hear from you.

I’m glad that covid hasn’t changed any personality traits in some then. Not sure Vinny will ever cough up for that nandos that he seems to owe everyone!

Business wise will be in the same line of work as I have been for a while now, so mortgages and insurance.

Hope isolation has treated you well?

Isolation has been OK, such as it could be. I'm something of a hermit anyway, & I WFH, so in truth it's not overly troubled me. Like many of us, I went 9 months without a haircut, & I was not able to see Gill for around 6 months. When we were eventually able to meet again she burst out laughing when she saw my hair. Karabiner grew an utterly fabulous hair-do, especially for a man of his age.

Missing out on the annual Vegas trip was a bit of a pain tbh, but compared to the sacrifices many made, deffo can't complain.

"I went 9 months without a haircut, & I was not able to see Gill"

This line made me laugh.

Couldn’t make the GUKPT at the vic this week which made me sad.

A lot of life/ new business admin this week which has been non stop. Also coaching a lot of cricket at the moment so hardly stopping!

Who is going to get the next England cricket coach job? Rumour has it Langer has been sacked so could be an outside chance?

Langer would be a good coach for England, though there has been some background chatter about past indiscretions.
Gary Kirsten another good fit.

Looking like they may go for Sangakkara for white ball coach

Made the trip north to DTD for the 250 deepstack with my old man. Something about that place will Always make it my fave place to come and play poker.
Dad not so good, busted 3 off day 2 but we made it through fairly comfortably, had one of the rare day 1s where there were no bad beats or sick spots and bagger 494,000 going back to 5/10/10k with 70 left and about 20k for the winner.

Let’s hope to run good again.

Would be nice to not just have Jurgen lifting a trophy today!

Good seeing fellow blondes John Black, Rexas, Sean Belton and Mr Gasgoine too. Been too long,

ffs, just read the last 3 pages of this thinking it was recent.

FFS

Twat.

Thought you were coming to Malta? Or is that not happened yet?

Good luck at DTD if you're not out yet.

Haha there’s no too recent stuff. Will try and keep the blog fairly updated going forward

DTD was as good as always, great to see similar faces and the staff make the place. Ryan and Simon in particular have to be two of the best floor guys going. Can’t wait to be back
I ended up coming second for 12k! Only time all comp I ran bad/ had some bad luck was heads up, had a chip lead going in but couldn’t hit anything. Ended up getting jacks in v A2 and he rivered an ace. Can’t moan, always nice to get a score.

Back to the live cash scene fkr a while. Anyone ever in kent/ London shout! Beer on me

enjoyed this blog (and many others) on here  years ago ,when every man and his dog was keeping a diary. there were some great ones , interesting to read best in the business when he started out and seeing him getting the lot these days. insane hedge was a fun read and bergeroo had a really interesting blog seperate from blonde that was very well written. then there was the the annual burn your wages ritual in summer, sponsored by tikay... then there was ragz to riches? getting all the sickest beats 8 days a week...

anyway great result at DTD last week, keep blogging when you can

Thanks mate! Appreciate the kind words. I find it a real shame that blonde isn’t the hive of activity it was 6/7/8 years ago, but I guess people and their lives move on.

Will certainly try and keep the blog going.

Played cash today in London, had a decent winning session.

Off to Manchester tomorrow for the GUKPT main event. Will play the live sat in the evening and main on Friday regardless.
It’s one of these new cash out sats, where if you 10x your stack they take your chips off the comp and give you a seat regardless of when it is.
Any thoughts on ideal strat? I have always been a max late reg for sats but I feel that for these you have to be in from the start?

Anyone in Manchester? Let’s have a beer or a Nando’s!!drop us a line

Vern ❤️

So not fully sure if we are now a master of the cash out sats or the opposite.

We managed to win a seat, first one to be taken out but on our 4th bullet. Vinny would be proud!
Weird dynamic. But it ended up playing down to 3 left with 1 seat so works ok i think. Still 100% prefer the old school sats though

Was fun railing in Rab09 in the sat too, and generally seeing some familiar faces

Just sat down for day 1. Let’s win!

GL GL

My favourite moment was 2 mins after explaining to me that someone should fold aces in this satellite, the look on your face when I called off KJo in a blind v blind shove. Team f*ck it

at a long old and weird day yesterday was. Struggled along for 9 of the 10 levels with nothing really going. Was around 15-25bb for what seemed like ages but managed to find a double and win a few last hands too finish the day on 64k going back to 600/1200
Rab901 got through with a good stack too and we had a couple of beers after and watched some crazy 5/10 cash games. Good fun!

Good luck is today. I wanted to attach a pic, been a while. Any ideas now to again?