blonde poker forum

Inspired by Dwayne’s impromptu WPT updates I thought I would do a one off trip report for the upcoming Luton 25/25 on April 11th-15th.

I played the one day special yesterday and was lucky enough to win one of the two last man standing tickets so have got into the 25/25 (£225) for £10. The other ticket winner was Chandra Khajuria who most of you will know if not you can google the legend. Was sat next to him for a few hours and he is such a pleasure to play with, was next to him when we got told we had won the tickets so we had a little fist bump.

I know that quite a few of you either use to be regulars at Luton or have played there over the years and obviously a few blondes still get down there.

Rather than doing just a trip report of how it’s going for me i thought it would be great to try and get a few updates from other blondes who are playing, so feel free to add your own updates as often as you want. If possible I’ll try and get some photos loaded up (I’ll have to have a little practice and some guidance please). Might be able to take a few of you down memory lane.

Obviously there are plenty of tremendous wordsmiths on here and I’m not one of them so apologies in advance for any spelling errors or misuse of words.

Not sure what day one I’m playing yet, however would be nice to get a list of blondes that will be playing so by all means post and I’ll collate as we go.

If I get to play the Easter Beast this weekend I might do a trail run just not 100% that I want to travel to the Vic on bank holiday Monday for day two, can guarantee there will be railway works and dreaded bus replacement services so not really my idea of a fun bit of travel.

I’ll make sure i post my table and seat number so that other blondes that don’t know me personally can say hi and we will get a picture just to add some extra zest to the narrative.

Let’s see where this takes us.

Subscribed. Good luck with this.

Ditto.

Great idea Omm

I shall be following follow from afar, but with great interest.

PS How many of China Mug's poundland sweets did you eat yesterday?

I didnt have any, I only really know Tom to say hello and not really shared a table that often with him, I’ll see if I can get a picture with him, his sweets and we know we will have done well if I make it as far as a hand written sign, 😆

+1 All the best Scotty.

Good luck mate!

Best of luck Omm - hoping for a deep run and a long update.

Thanks for the support, started training already. 💪

Good luck Omm, win the lot!

Chandra and Lalit will outlive us all. Chandra always used to tell me about his trips to Finland but would get bored of a conversation he started and give up mid sentence.

I don't half miss playing in Luton. I live in Liverpool now and the casinos here are basically bars with one £2 Blackjack table and video roulette.

Good luck in the 25/25. I would play one if I could but Grovesnor still won't give me my membership back after going on 3 years.

Pretty certain it was only la couple of years ago that Chandra won the main event in Finland, £70 odd k I think (Hendon mob would be more accurate). Gives us all hope of scooping a nice one.

I’ve postponed playing this as I’m not well at the moment, next one in June I think.

:( Hope you get better soon mate.

Booo :(

Hope you're feeling better soon, mate.

Bugger!

It's amazing how being ill make you appreciate being well.

Thanks all been here quite a few times before but never makes it any easier.

Quite true Tom.

I had to have a fasting blood test this morning so nothing to eat or drink since 7 last night until the test - which was walk in at hospital 2 hour wait at 7am, can you believe that, for a blood test. Anyway I was telling the kids about when I first feel ill and was in hospital I could have nothing by mouth for a long time (felt like years but was about 6 weeks). The pain I was in meant I couldn’t care less about eating and it didn’t bother me one iota, however not being able to quench my thirst with a sip of water was torture and psychologically really affected me. I would be lying in bed just thinking about having a drink every second of the day and as I’m sure most of you are aware there Is not much to do in hospital so time really does drag. I remember seeing a bottle of Robinson’s Lemon Squash on the patients table who was next to me, I swear to god I could taste it in my mouth. Anyway you could imagine my joy when I was finally allowed to wet my lips with a sponge stick. I promis d myself that forever more I would not take a glass of water for granted. So I was telling the kids this story as this morning it was the one thing on my mind as I was so thirsty and knew it was a good few hours before the test. I stuck with it, queued up for nearly 45mins just to register, finally got to the window, explained to the lady that it was a fasting blood test but I was feeling quite unwell And also diabetic and could I have a drink of water, “yes love, drink as much as you want” FML.

What a reality check that is Ommy.

In many parts of the world, there is no such thing as good, clean water, either.

Certainly makes us think.

Hope you are soon on the mend mate.

PS - Will reply to your PM soonest.

Great description of that

The sponge sticks are like heaven after weeks without a drink or food but especially liquid. They start to lose appeal when they dry up on you mind :) Still remember the first ice pop thing I was allowed tasted like the best michelin meal anywhere as did the first pureed dinner (they very soon lose appeal) the first hospital (proper) dinner was on another level again.

hope things pick up soon

Thats brought back a few memories, I can taste those sponges in my mind just reading this. Hope you feel better soon and  run well in your next poker trip

Just seen this thread.

Can't do this weekend either....but June looks good  :)up

get well soon and see you then.

Beyond belief how lucky we are to be born in the right country. That certainly is the biggest lottery in life.

I know we have abit in common with illness John and you have hit that right on the head. If only I was able to treat food the same as my appreciation for water I’d be as thin as a rake.

Thanks very much.

Do you play at Luton regular ripple or just follow the 25/25’s? Our paths may have crossed if you do.

Ditto

Same here pal

Trying not to go ahead of myself but ive qualified for the Mission Freeroll next door - 6 handed sit and go to win a Vegas package, £300 for 2nd down to £100 for 6th. Never going to have such a decent chance of winning the dream. Its on tonight. Exciting times. If only to spend the week with Tikay  ;D

best of luck to you

whats the structure like in sit and go?

deep, 12 min blinds and 5k starting stack - obvs no antes. As we all qualified from freerolls throughout the week none of the top regs from the site are in it, I only recognise 1 other player.

VBOL Omm

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c9/7f/5a/c97f5a71e6dc322418b8f42a7594fa88.gif)

Best of luck with this Omm!

Thanks all. Will report back.

In case someone doesn't read Greyhound thread, top pair into bottom set heads up and the dream is over.

Damn :(

Unlucky mate.

Friday for me

Rather than missing this due to being ill I’m not going to be able to play as I’ll be in Vegas, leave in 18 hours and counting. Good luck at Luton might see you at the next one.

I leave Vegas today after an all too brief 6 night stay. I'm already planning for next Summer...

You're going to have an absolute gas here, Omm.

Hopefully you'll get your fair share of run-good, too.

ATB

LOL what an idiot going to Vegas when you could be at Luton.  ;whistle;

Awesome, forgot you'd mentioned this elsewhere. Somehow i'm in double digits for Vegas trips but have never been during the WSOP. If i go this year September is most likely.

Have fun and GL!

I’m gonna put some updates in here rather than blog up the Vegas thread.

Anyway just check in to The Palazzo, Oh my GOD, room is amazing, never stayed in a place like this, I’m on 49th floor and it’s breath taking. Well done Skypoker for putting this together.

Already bought in to the Monster Stack on Saturday, no good in the three $125 sats I played (Aces cracked, but def not gonna moan) as I wasn’t sure on how busy the weekend will be so wanted to avoid the queues. Playing in Brasilia room, have already found the table and seat so I know where I’m going.

Good luck mate.

 ;cheerleader;

Played the Monster a couple of times.. you will love it..enjoy the experience and good luck

Palazzo & Wynn were my go to hotels for at least 1/2 of every trip, until I joined the Raspberry express.

Have a great time mate, and knock some of that dough you saved in on some top quality nosh!

V&P has the best selection of restaurants in Vegas, imo.

I'll be up at the strip tomorrow, as I'm playing the 200k in the concrete hall. Might go and play the Giant @ Rio if I bust, so will be on the strip all day/night, most likely.

If you want to grab some breakfast or something, give us a shout.

Day 1

So first full day is in the bag. Played the 1pm daily at Rio, had a great table and was quite quickly up to a high of 37k but had 3 coolers, set beaten by straight, flopped set counterfeit by river for FH over FH and flush beaten by full house, exit hand after about 5 hours I shoved with QJ on 9T769 and guy correctly calls with JTos although he tanked for ages. Thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to playing Monster Stack tomorrow.

Played a $175 sat straight after and couldn’t get anything going. Obvs these are high variance but I think a good strategy is maybe to play the $125 and do a $50 last longer with a few people just to even out the variance. Any thoughts on this? Anyone else play them? Pretty certainly I saw Melanie Weisner play a few $575 ones.

So the wife really wanted me to go to a gift shop she had googled called Bonanza which claims to be the worlds largest gift shop. My wife likes tatty gift shops whenever we go anywhere she will buy the most horrendous crap, luckily it doesn’t make it on display back at home because it’s mainly stuff for the kids. So I go armed with a list and catch an Uber. Has some of the worse tutt I’ve ever seen, still managed to spend $143 but if it makes them happy then I’m happy. Still need to pick up something Marvel Avengers so if anyone know anywhere I can go them let me know.

Was actually quite tired last night so came back to this palace I’m staying in and went to bed about 10pm, not the best sleep but I’m not one for lying in so was up at 4:30am, watched abit of the football and thought I might as well go for an early morning walk. Was out the room by 7am and I’m so glad I did, had a wander around the Venetian, found Starbucks for a Chai Latte and decided to go for a walk down the strip. Not sure why but I’ve been abit nervous about walking down the strip, think it’s the unknowns of how far to go, the heat, gonna sound stupid but even crossing the road, whenever I’ve been in an Uber the roads always look like chaos. Anyway that time of the morning the temp was fantastic, I walked for about 30mins just taking in where things were and getting some fruit from Walgreens.

So I’m hooking up with Marky for breakfast this morning before I head over to the Rio to play the daily again. Got the Sky welcome party tonight which if I’m not deep in the daily I’m looking forward to going to, can’t see myself staying all night as 1) I’ll be tired and 2) I’m playing a bloody WSOP event in the morning, really can’t believe I’m saying that.

Really wish my wife would have come with me, she would have loved it but I think she didn’t want me to be worrying that she was ok while I was playing poker as well as wanting me to play as much as I want. She really is such an unselfish person, I’m lucky to have her.

Hopefully I’ll be posting a poker win tomorrow, no worries if not as I’m having a blast.

I love it when people include the every day detail in their reports.

There is a word for that type if detail, I think it begins with min. It's doing me 'ead in now cos I can't think of it.

Tal.....

Minutia!

Enjoy the trip!  I think your reaction to the room is one that I would expect a lot of people would have, even arriving in the hotel lobby you know you've made a good decision.  If you are used to travelling around the UK in Travel Inns etc then this is a nice inexpensive (obv doesn't matter on a packagae) way to experience a bit of quality.  One of the areas in the early days of the Vegas thread that a lot of people got wrong (imho) was defaulting to a shabby hotel to save $8 here and there.  Particularly when the organised people can usually catch a great deal in advance and get in for par.  And even more so when they take their saved $8 over to the Rio and punt off a $5k WSOP in level 2.


The LL makes perfect sense ofc as it is effectively watering down the juice.  The sats there are WTA but usually there is a chop, so there is sort of pseudo-ICM in play.  Plenty of people grind them and ofc plenty of randoms too, so one of the first things to do (as with any poker game I suppose) is work out who knows what they are doing and who doesn't.  In the old days, players really bad at handling chips was a tell-tale sign of inexperience, but ofc nowadays they might be an online crusher that has never played live before...  Anyway, quite often 3handed there is implied collusion between 2 guys that know that the other person knows that they know.... and a recreational player gets taken on, eliminated in 3rd and the rest of it gets chopped up before the poor dude walks away from the table :D  That said, I haven't played one for 2 years now, it is quite possible there are more sat grinders in there and that some are happy to play it WTA.

Good to hear Ommy.

You coming along to the Welcome Drinks get-together tonight?

Let me know your Table number please, or, even better, pop into the Media Centre & say hi. It's just beyond the Registration Room at the far end of the Rio Corridor.

PS - Make sure Marky pays for the brekkie, he's loaded.

I’ll pop by if I have time if not I’ll post table number or try and catch u in a break.

Has to google it, lol. For me this is much more about the experience than winning poker (although that would be nice). Happy to share my thoughts and feelings about the real life stuff.

If I do play them again I think I’ll use the last longer strategy. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks.

Breakfast has turned into lunch and I had to try the Caramel Chicken you mentioned in the other thread. Best thing I’ve ever eaten and it’s not even close. Portion is huge so gonna bag it up and bring it to the Rio for later. Any more recommends are very welcome.

Pavilion Black 181 seat 1. I found Media room but was running late. Will find u in break.

Here's our man.

Living the dream, or what?



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



I bokked him though, he ran Q-Q into A-A but managed to lose the min on the 10 high flop.


 

I thought people were joking when they call you McBok. Lol.


So Tikay has really got the conversation going, the table think I’m famous in the UK for Greyhound racing, most of them have never even heard of it. You can imagine trying to explain..... “ Greeeeyhoouuund racing, whhhaaaats thaaat?”

Thanks Tikay.

They have it in the US!

Santa's Little Helper was adopted by the Simpsons from the racetrack.

Good luck, Omm. How long you out there for?

Something silly like 8 of the 10 (number might be slightly out as doing from memory) tracks in the US are in Florida so probably not that well known.

Got here Weds and staying until next Thursday. 

12 hours away from playing a WSOP event. Am I dreaming?  Day 2 trip report coming up.

Day 2

After my early morning walk I went back to the suite to relax before I met Marky for breakfast. 4 hours later Marky has stood me up* (first time I’ve been stood up by a man but what better place than Vegas) and I’m having lunch instead of breakfast. Gave me a chance to try Sicilian’s recommendation of Caramel Chicken, had enough to bring the rest of the portion to the Rio for dinner and well worth it I must say.

*had taxi issues for his scooter so all is forgiven, hopefully catch up with him at some point.

Next stop was the Rio for the 1pm Daily, nice table. Tikay came over as per the picture and managed to get the table talking by telling them I was famous in the UK. No need to go over his bokking skills again, lol. Finished about 100 off the money, was never really able to get a stack so survived by winning 3 or 4 AI’s but my luck was always gonna run out. $30k for 1st would have been nice.

Was feeling quite jaded/exhausted when I got back from The Rio at about 7ish but there was the little meet up of the Sky Poker Welcome Party at 8pm, was very close to not going but I thought I should at least show my face sometimes it’s all to easy to let my health have too much of a negative effect. Anyway got lost 3 times trying to find the suite, even managing to knock on some random suite which was 3321 instead of 3221 luckily no one was in so saved myself some embarrassment there. I stayed about an hour and was great to meet some fellow qualifiers, terrible at remembering names but “mate” always comes n handy (especially being from London, or Australia as three people so far have asked).

Quite a non eventful day but a thoroughly enjoyable one. It’s 4:30am here and I’m like a kid at xmas. I’m up washed and dressed and ready for breakfast at 6am at Grand Lux, really want to try pancakes. Have to be atThe Rio for a 10am start so will be getting over there early to enjoy the atmosphere. Have already bought in to the monster stack so no queuing for me. On the point of queuing I’ve noticed that there is an enormous queue for buying in to the Deep-stack in the Pavilion room, little do a lot of people know (based on the queues) that they could use the other tournament registration desk up the hallway which each time I have used it I’ve only had a few people in front of me. I feel like a Vegas Veteran already, lol.

....."Have to be at The Rio for a 10am start so will be getting over there early to enjoy the atmosphere....."


On which note, President Trump is visiting Vegas this morning. He is due to land at McCarron at around 10am I believe, then his motorcade will head along the Strip. It has been advised that at some point along the Strip the motorcade will briefly stop & POTUS will get out & have a general wave & meet the people sort of thing, like what Royalty do.

Police have warned of severe traffic snarl ups on the Strip during all this. It's always bad on a Saturday anyway,

So my advice would be leave earlier rather than later, & ask the driver to go to Rio via Spring Mountain Road & I-15.

Wonder where he's staying.

Golden Nugget, or Linq, maybe?

PS - It's a flying visit, literally - in & out same day.

I might get over at 8am so I can start queuing at Starbucks, should just make the tournament at 10am  ;D

Thanks for the heads up.

GL today!

Busted the 25/25 btw. Up to 90k in level 7 (which would have been Top 10 end of day) but manage to dust it all off by level 9. Oops.

I wish you more patience...

Unlucky and thanks. Already dodge a bullet by folding a straight with a straight flush draw against a flopped straight flush when guy treble pot the river. Spider senses are on point.

Brasilia Bronze 56 2

Sorry about that, mate :D

I didn't finish until about 1am this morning, and going back today for day 2.

Will come find you when I'm done today. You wouldn't have wanted to walk to the Sands from the Venetian, that's for sure.

Good luck today, and hopefully Tikay doesn't bok you!

FFS, I can't make a deep run to save my life & Marky is making a Day Two.

The world's gone bonkers.

Blind squirrels :D

Let's hope the POTUS doesn't fold his straight when he gets out of the car today. ;)






Gooooo Marky  ;cheerleader;

Well done, I’m just trying to make the dinner break.

GL Msrky

Venetian to Sands isn't such a bad walk.   It is all inside bar 200 yards that they make you walk outside for some unfathomable reason.  Probably near impossible on a scooter.   Had to walk past a few undesirables in suits in the convention centre.

The external diversion is because they are setting up that inside area for a convention.

Cheers Ralph :)

Bust with about 130 left unfortunately, but got a monkey back, which was nice.



Yeah, I wasn't aware it was so easy to get to the Venetian by going back inside before you head towards the strip.

I did that drive all the way around the outside last night, at about 1:30am, and some bird with her shopping trolley full of tat almost mowed me down :D

Found the interior way today, thanks to one of the dealers. Handy to know for the next comp, anyway.

Get it spun!

Minutiae. I had to look that up when Tony used it. Apparently it's the plural of minutia.

So does that mean we should say, 'a minutia' and 'some minutiae' or should we just use 'the' as an introduction to either?

I.e. The minutia - the minutiae.


Tal...

It's a bit like criteria and data: you tend to use the plural most frequently, because you will refer to a number of details rather than just one.

"I don't want to get bogged down in the minutae" etc.

Ooh, I never even considered the singular of criteria, I had to Google.

Criterion!

Someone is getting that before the day is out.

Forgot to post this earlier:

Day 3

So lasted 8 levels before busting the Monster Stack. Had a thoroughly good time, Table was fun. Was just an occasion where I couldn’t get anything going. Hovered between 25 and 10 bbs for the last 3 levels. Finally getting 12bbs in with TT vs AKs and an A in the window sealed my fate. I got lucky with the only other AI I had when I flopped top pair, Jerome Bradpiece(?) (keep wanting to say Makepiece) had flopped bottom two, I check raised all in and hit trips on turn. Great tournament, no regrets and looking forward to the Sky tournament today.

Although I sat at the poker table for 8 hours I still managed to do 15k in Steps. After the tournament I came back to the hotel and had a walk around to try and find some gifts. Back’ to the room by 10 and was knackered. Another early night in Vegas- such a party animal.

Anyway up to watch the footy this morning, currently 6-1, knew it would be England to mess up the Panama to score no goals bet. Breakfast shortly and then a relax before the tournament this afternoon.

Yes, I always prefer minutiae (though I struggle to spell it correctly every time) because it's pretty rare to have singular fine detail.

While we are at it.....

If I type "I would like a Danish pastry" should it be "Danish" or "danish"?

The trend is to use an uppercase letter when the thing is still associated with the place (Jersey Royal potatoes, Parma ham) and go lowercase letter where the association is no longer to the region (yorkshire pudding, champagne).

https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-observer-style-guide-c

(See capitals)

I would say Danish, I think.

Great to hear you're having fun, Omm.

and go lowercase letter where the association is no longer to the region

So surely "danish pastry" should be lower case?

I'm not at all sure that said pastries are still associated with Denmark.

There’s a lot of walking here ,more than people realise !
Even a lazy count like me does 7 k steps a day !
Early nights are needed opif you want yo play good poker mate
It’s draining here
But we love it

You're right.

I've always associated them with the country but there's not any really anymore. Not like they have to be made there.

Surely Champagne should always be upper case, as sparkling wine rather like Champagne cannot be called that, on penalty of huge amounts of cash payable to the certified wine-growers of the Champagne appellation.

Trust me - when it comes to wine I know my onions.

Can see that argument and, yes, it's protected like Melton Mowbray pork pies or Savile Row suits.

I think the point is it's not a hard and fast rule. Journalists need to have a set of rules to adopt for consistency but language isn't bound by those restrictions. This seems to be an area where fewer capitalisations are being employed as time goes by. Perhaps it's a product of globalisation; that places have less ownership of products.

Neither can be "wrong". Nor should it lead to a flurry of letters to the editor before someone goes off to walk the alsatian. Or the dalmatian.

Going to do this in a few parts as yesterday which started off very well, became the most interesting day in Vegas so far.....

Day 4

Sky poker tournament day. Really looking forward to this one, small field, various methods of qualification with a mix of skills, good structure and atmosphere, 9 places paid with $12k to winner, such a receive to do so well.

I felt like I had near perfect prep, had a good sleep, had a hearty breakfast at Grand Lux breakfast buffet. While I was there I met Andy (A_r_K on sky) and his friend who had joined him from New York (terrible with names and can’t remember his, may have even got Andy wrong, need to get better at remembering peoples names), such an enjoyable chat we ended up staying there talking for nearly an hour after we got the bill (I’ll come back to how the waitress discreetly told me off). So back to prep, the tournament didn’t start until 2 but had to be at The Venetian Poker room (remember that) for 1 to sort out reg and the bits and bobs. This left me about 4 hours to kill, decided to relax back at the suite, with the amount of walking I’ve been doing and getting up at 4am every morning it’s been pretty long days so now was the perfect time to just chill. Back at the room i started watching Star Wars revenge of the Sith (best one in my opinion although it’s my wife’s worse one, opinion?) and spent some time catching up with Deb and the kids on What’s App video call although we have got a Vegas thread on What’s App including my mum and debs mum so I am keeping them updated on that, kids are so jealous of the food pics. Decided to have a hot soak in bath while watching said film (I haven’t had a bath in over 10 years, not as bad as it sounds, I just prefer showers have never seen the point in soaking in a bath, life is too short, however it just felt right in this environment.) after watching the last 30 mins of the film in the bath I was ready to prepare mentally. I’ve been using Primed Mind (Fedor Holz and Elliot Roe’s mindset app) to help me while I’ve been ill, not everyone’s cup of tea but when your health can get quite bad it can affect you mentally and for me this app has helped get me through some very dark times recently. Just so happens they have added a WSOP section, perfect, just what I need to get me in the zone.

So as we near 12:30 I’m Primed and smelling good, ready to go crush some souls, I have come across most of the Sky qualifiers and I’m quite good at taking notes and colour coding people on Sky so have a decent knowledge of skill level and how individuals play (strange how I can’t remember peoples names).

Chai Tea Latte at Starbucks on the way and I’m all set to go. I get to The Poker room about 12:55 and couldn’t see anyone I recognised. As you do I asked one of the guys walking around that looked important and this is where it all started to go wrong. “Do you have the Sky Poker Tournament year today” I said, “Yes sir” was the reply, “You just have to go over there and follow the signs to the expo centre, it’s abit of a walk” “ Are you sure, I was told the Venetian Poker room” I said “Yes sir, just follow the signs”. So off I go to the expo centre where The Deepstacks are running. Still not 100% I text Sky Mark and James, don’t get a reply by the time I get to the “car park” where they are playing poker. Nope, still don’t recognise anyone. Message Tikay on Blonde and before I check’ for a reply not only do I bump into the TD (all 7 foot of him) of the SPT for the day who tells me to go back to the poker room, but James text me and Tikay messages me back, just like buses, all three at once, lol. So off I go now all hot and sweaty back to the Poker Room.....

....I bump into the TD (all 7 foot of him) of the SPT for the day....

Fair to say he was a tall fella, I'm 6' so he must be 7' plus.

Smashing bloke, very organised & efficient.

Given the traditional hostility by Sheldon towards Online Poker, was quite a coup for us to stage an event there. Went great, too, Venetian were amazingly helpful & customer-friendly.


 
(http://i.imgur.com/6DvPJXF.jpg) (https://imgur.com/6DvPJXF)


 

Day 4 contd

Yep it’s def at the poker room, just to the side of the main room. Okay no worries, im not one for getting worked up and I’m still plenty early so no harm done.

When you travel on your own you sort of have a choice, you can be able to make conversation with strangers or you can keep yourself to yourself. Seeing as I like to think im a people person and I like to make people feel comfortable and welcome I’m definitely the former rather than the latter. In fact I will try and go out of my way to talk to people who look like they are the latter. It’s something I try and teach the kids as well as Deb, if you are ever in a situation were there are a large group of people who do not know each other or maybe a few people in that group that are strangers, for me, introducing yourself and then showing a genuine interest in that person is the quickest way of not only making new friends but also helps with the general atmosphere and they way you might want the day to go, years of management courses and having read How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie a few times have led to this being a natural thing for me to do, in fact it’s this very book that has taught me that when conversation drys up getting someone to talk about themselves is the best thing you can do as it’s the one subject they know a lot about and feel comfortable doing it, I was even told once at a Christmas party that I was quite nosey, lol, just interested was my reply.

Back to the SPT. Started doing the rounds and introducing myself to people I hadn’t met at the welcome party. Got abit of a confidence boost when I found out the guys were doing some sort of sweepstake, 15 points to spend, players worth 5 points down to 1 (as done by Marc Wright). $50 buy in winner takes all, You could buy me for 1 point (this was not the confidence boost, lol.) But while talking to the very Human Matt Bates he had mentioned that he picked me as he thought Marc had made a few mistakes with a couple of people he put as 1 pointers who were better than that, not sure I agree with him as 1/2 point would have still been value but nice to get your ego stroke just before a tournament.

So nearly starting on time we all sit down and get comfortable in what is a very nice playing environment......

Great picture this. Really was a great tournament and atmosphere, everyone from yourself and the sky team to the Venetian staff couldn’t do enough for us. Positive experiences like this really do make for great memories.

That reminds me, still need to get a few selfies with you and the team.

 

MBN to be Matt Bates (Magic817 on blonde) I think he scooped the Sweepstake ($1,300) with his selection.

I will continue day 4 report later. I’m really look8ng forward to playing at The Wynn today in the $550 one dayer, recommendation from Doobs and others have indicated I’m in for a real treat. Starts in 90 mins so going to ge5 ready and get there early.

Sky night out tonight at Top Golf, of course I hope I miss it by still being in at The Wynn but if I’m not I will be trying to make this, great group of people and it seems everyone is getting on in the spirt they should do so will be a great night, the only thing that will stop me is I had a late night last night (little day 4 spoiler but not what you might think) so may have to so what my body thinks about partying.

(I’m writing all this on an IPad and it’s really getting on my nerves how while I’m typing quickly it randomly adds numbers instead of the letter I have typed, fed up going back and changing it so I’m not go8ng to d9 it from now 9n, you guys will get the drift though, promise I’m not makin* this up, anyone know how to stop it?)

lol, he rigged the RNG.

No Ide5 bud6y.

Glad you're having a great time and enjoying the updates.

That trek to the convention centre is a pain, even if you're driving it, and even worse when you take the scenic route at ~2am :D

I popped over to the Sky comp last night, but Tikay said you had left, and I didn't want to try nabbing you at 11pm after busting a comp.

Hope you miss the Golf tonight, and get a touch in that comp at the Wynn!

Day 4 Contd

I’m not one for remembering specific hands too well so will not be able to go into much detail. Will talk about a few of note but before that remember when I said I had prepped well and was feeling great, well 49 players and I busted 45ish, didn’t even get to play with Mr Channing who arrived late and walked in as I was walking out and was the empty seat at my table.

Could not get anything going. Probably made 1 bad call on turn when I had JTos on a J high board with 2 diamonds and the river comes a diamond and 24Caliber (eventual runner up) shoved all in and I made a crying fold, at the chip stacks I should have just reraised all in on J high flop. This hand left me a <15bbs Stack.

A few hands earlier, can’t remember exact bbs , I called a MP raise on B.B. with AThh, B.B. who was Granite89 (eventual winner) called. Flop comes AT2, lovely, ck bet call reraise was the action, Granites re raise was quite large and dint give me much room to do anything other than shove, I was certain he would call a shove with his sizing, which meant he knew that was my only option so must have wanted it, I was happy to play for stacks. He had AT.... but the turn was a second heart, sweat on..... blank river, chop chop, nothing to see here.

Exit hand was nothing special, raise, I’m all in, it’s 5bbs more to call, I have AT I think, he has KJ, jack on flop seals the deal. Was in for about two hours, had a good time in a great atmosphere but went back to the room and sulked.

And then....

Thanks guys, nice knowing it’s being read. Anyway I’ll continue later, need to win 40k in this Wynn. Lovely card room, nice Dim Sums, surprised the chips are dirty though, haven’t seen chips like this since the old Luton G, lol.

another reader hear

thanks for the updates, great fun to read about your trip

gl today

Another reader here.

It took me far too long, really, having seen your pic published by Kendal, to realise that I do in fact recognise you from Luton G. We've had brief, friendly exchanges so I get your commentary on making an effort to speak to people. I'm a little more reserved, unless I've had a few beers, and since I have a lengthy drive to Luton I'm rather slow to build relationships.

As others have said, it's always fun reading about other peoples' first time experience of Vegas. It really is a place that can turn a 40-something (++) into something akin to a child on Christmas Day. The good news is that it's just the same on each subsequent visit.

Delighted to read that you're loving it; I really hope that you land a big one, Omm.

Cheers & vbol

Make yourself know next time you see me in Luton be good to put a face to the name.

Busted The Wynn a while ago but for some reason I couldn’t get online. Nice tournament, would play again.

Don’t think I’m gonna make the Sky night out tonight, it’s obviously good to go to these things to socialise and meet new people but I’m just not feeling it, gonna have an early night to help recoup from a late night last night. Currently playing a few hands of cash at Venetian but will be retirin* to the suite within the half hour.

Actually might go now seeing as I  just lost 100bb pot while writing this out.

They gone with BB ante at Encore Omm? How did you find it if so?

I play some BB ante stuff here. It's much better. Changes the game a bit too.

Nice read Scott. Glad you're enjoying it.

Yes.  It defiinitely encourages you to shove a bit when the big blind is coming round and you have to put quarter of your stack in on the big blind.  Odd I feel that way, as there are rounds in normal hold em, where you put more than 1/9th of a big blind in every round in antes.  It must be logical to shove slightly more often utg and utg+1 with a big blind ante though I haven't done any maths.  It is a shame that the rounds have gone where the ante is big compared to the big blend, but others were better at exploiting it anyway.

It definitely speeds the game up, which must be a good thing.  You only have to wait for the sap more interested in his film/eating a salad once every round now.  I think the pros must outweigh thr cons.

I don't play a lot these days but have played both BB ante and button ante. Much prefer the latter.

They have, as well as the Aria nightly. Seems ok, unless as Doobs says you are in the big blind and have to put out a big % of your stack, we should really look at the maths of it, I’m sure someone has. It’s not just the B.B. ante that is different though as the small blind isn’t always half, the Wynn didn’t have 50 chips so blends were 100/100 then 100/100/100 then 200/100/200 then 300/100/300 then 400/200/400 etc etc has to make a difference to ranges in CO/BTN for stealing and SB/BB for defending.

I was happy to try and steal blinds from btn with J9ss for 10 bigs, just happened the sb called with AQ and bb woke up with KK, flop AQ8, turn J river 9 just for a special rub.

Nice poker room and table, even the side tables were decent, just really shocked with the dirty chips, def not what I have come to expect in Vegas and particularly at such a nice place.

Day 4 contd

So after going back to the suite and having a little sulk for not performing as well as I could I decided to fin another tournament to play. Marky’s link to the 2 + 2 spreadsheet with all the tournament listed has been my go to and The Aria has a $240 nightly starting at 7pm. Off we go. Now I e usually been going to bed at 10/11ish and waking up at 4/5ish so a deep run in this is really going to test my health, but I’m in Vegas and you only live once so let’s do it.

15k chips and 20 mins is not my cup of tea but after 6 levels we go to 30 mins so if we get that far the tournament gets better. 180ish runners, 18 paid with. In cash at $460 and $9.5k for the win, that will do nicely. I happen to be on the same table as Marco from Luton, know him to say hi so we had the pleasantries and he was out here with Phil who I bumped into later. Long story short on the bubble I was probably near chip leader. Bubble burst quite quickly at 2:30am ish and it all went pair shape as it can so many times this point in 5he tournament, just not able to win a flip against the shorties it wasn’t long before I got my last 10bbs in with AQ v QQ and didn’t improve, went out 16th for a min Cash. Could have been a lot bette result but just didn’t go my way at the bus8ness end.

The real interesting thing was what happened durin* the tournament.....

come on ffs, i'm waiting to find out!

Day 4 contd

So my table broke and I was doing ok, got moved to a table with a very brash American who truly looked like Ron Jeremy - google him if you don’t know who he is. I know the tab”e would be fun when he as chip leader got 150bb is vs UTG raise with QQ v KK and a small stack who had KQhh, of course the KQ made higher straight, Ron made Q high straight and KK who was not far being in chips lost. Ron starts screaming and whooping and then goes on to berate KK guy for not raising enough pre with KK so he didn’t think he had it, then before the poor chap gets a chance to leave he starts telling him how to play Aces, lol. I think the right guy won the ha d for the benefit of the table/tournament. This was going to be interesting.

Anyway, for those that know me you will know that I’m not a horrible person, more of a lover than a hater and def like seeing people enjoying themselves. However I managed to get on the wrong side of Ron and he sure was gonna make sure I knew he was unhappy. We tangled in a &we pots were I got the better of him solely through having position, I was seat 9 he was seat 7.  Then the first big incident happened. I have Jacks on btn, he raises I just call, I have an over pair to the board, bet call, Q turn is not great but I’m not going anywhere yet, bet call, Jack river was the gin card for me and we are getting this all in. Ron announces All In, I snap call and wait for him to turn his hand over, he is wearing sunglasses so you can’t really see his facial expressions, he doesn’t turn his hand over and just stares at me, so I say again call and he turns over KQ,  turn over My set and he says “I never said all in” we proceed to have abit of a ding dong for 10secs were I proclaim he did and he say he didn’t, dealer calls the floor and is firmly on my side when he tells the story to the floor, floor,an asks the table did anyone else here anything other than all in, two of the guy were wearing headphone and said they didn’t hear anything, the rest stayed silent and the floor took that as nobody heard any different and ruled in my favour. Ron was steaming, little did I realise how much, once floor left the dealer had to tell him to let it go as he was continuing to claim he wasn’t all in, was calling me a cheat and taking the piss out of my English accent claiming he couldn’t understand when I said call. Even telling me how to pronounce poker. Now I must admit that although I’m not one for getting into arguments I couldn’t help but wind him up abit more.

It all settled down after a few hands and he still had plenty of chips left. However he was still steaming and even started on the lad next to him who was such a great guy having a bit of fun and so welcoming to everyone which Ron took exception to and told him t9 shut up he didn’t want to hear him anymore, lol. Just seemed like such karma when the hand before the break we tussle a5ain and again I have position and flop the nut flush with KQ, bet call flop, bet call turn and he then checks the river, I put out a large bet and he snap calls, I don’t mess around and turn over very quickly and he explodes, swearing and shouting, banging the table, calling me all the names under the sun, the dealer warns him to calm down, I actually thought it was the right time to just shut up and say nothing, the way he was acting I really didn’t want to wind him up anymore, could just see then news now, Tourist gets shot at Aria after upsetting local poker player, no I’d like to make it out of Vegas please, the chips were reward enough. He even walked away from the table and turned back round and stood watching me stacking the chips, I swear I could see the steam comin* out of his ears.

The table broke soon after the break and Ron was then on a different table, he busted a couple of the money. There is such a thing as the poker gods.

Not sure if I’ve mentioned it already but I’ve been asked a few times where in Australia am I from, little bit put out about this as I’m from London and have quite a cockney accent, one guy even said he knew I wasnt Australian as when he wasn’t sure he heard me say mate and realised I was from London. Anyway when there was 3 tables left at the Aria I was moved next to a young guy, I heard him talk8ng t9 his friend who was on the other table, after a while I asked him what part of England he was from, I’m Australian he replied. FML I thought. Lol.

There is a food place over here called Jack in the Box, I don’t know how to post pictures so maybe someone could find it and post it but on twitter KevMath retweeted a picture of a guy playing a wSOP event that was dressed like their image, think it migh5 Have even been their owner or someone to do with the company. Interesting picture and takes wearing a hoodie to a new level. Surprised it’s allowed to be honest.

This?

You'll see far worse than that in the WSOP Main, trust me.

The "joke" wears thin after the first few minutes, imo, but then I'm a miserable sod.

 

(http://i.imgur.com/GqQ1OxP.jpg) (https://imgur.com/GqQ1OxP)

Day 5

So since I have got hear as I’ve said before I’ve been going to bed before 11 and getting up at 4 or 5, really no different to what I do at home. So after last nights min cash I’m going to bed at 4:30am, exhausted is not the word, more like dead. When I get up I’m not feeling great but it usually takes me a while to get going. Really wanted to play The Wynn $550 so made sure I got there to sort out the players card and be ready for 12. I obvs update earlier the outcome of this.

While at the Wynn I was quite hungry, saw a packet of beef jerky, always wanted to try it as it seems quite popular here. I should have realised what it might be like when they give you dental floss included in the bag, no beef jerky is definitely not for me, I’ll bring it home for my eldest lad, he has always wanted to try it, he is a real carnivore as well so he will probably like it. The Pot Stickers from the menu were lovely though (pork dumplings).

After yesterday’s shenanigans today was always going to be quiet, after busting the tournament I was tired, went back to the suite to rest up before making the decision to g9 out to top golf with Sky, would def have gone if it’s wasn’t for the late night before, if anything it’s made me regret not coming to Vegas when I was younger and able to party for 20 hours a day. Played an hour of cash at Venetian, lost a big pot with flopped two pair vs runner runner flush, managed to pull some back before I left. Was in bed by 8:30 and didn’t wake up until 6am this morning.

Last two days in Vegas so it’s down to the get out stakes. Not much going* on in terms of tournaments left to play as WPT is on at Aria, some other tag team events at PH, really it’s only the Rio Deepstack I can play which has been my least fav tournament that I have played while out here. Might as well give it a go anyway.

I’ve really had a blast out here regardless of the results, miss the wife and kids but Have What’s App video called them everyday but we all know it’s different when they are with you. No regrets since I’ve been out here but I do regret not bringing Deb with me, she would have loved it, but she stayed at home for the right reasons, although I’m now thinking I would have actually brought the kids out as well, plenty for them to do while I’m playing poker.

As Tikay said to me a few days ago, now I’ve got the issue of how I’m going to get out here again every year for the next ten years, lol. Think I’ll stop buying lattes from Costa and save the money instead, Vegas fund

I can just imagine him using the big one as the card protector instead of the small one.

Pretty sure that Alex Martin - who you may know from Luton - turned up wearing a Grizzly Bear costume one year as part of a deal with Matchroom. Think Matchroom put about 100 players in the Main one year, & they all had to wear fancy dress.

You do see all sorts though, it's embarrassing to be honest.

I met some friends for breakfast at Grand Lux one year & one chap turned up in a Peterborough United shirt. Lord knows what he was thinking.



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



(http://i.imgur.com/iBKrHz3.jpg) (https://imgur.com/iBKrHz3)

Have to say, Ommy, have loved these updates, just what blonde needs, well done & thank you.

This!

And remember, you don't have to be in Vegas to write about the minutiae.

Too k8nd guys.

Started the Deepstack at the Rio and although I was feeling a bit jaded this morning, I’m feeling good, excitement and adrenaline has taken over and I’m as happy as Larry, now my table mates on the other hand are not so happy. Thin’ I need Stu Rutter to come join us.

I think it's about time you took one of these down Ommy lad.

Just had 99 two hands running, both 4 to a flop. 1st hand flop QAK, I fold. 2nd hand I flop QUADS, yum yum, got the min as I was oop to the button who bet flop, turn and folded river. Start as we mean to go on.

Just has a three way chop on ACE high board, my A3 vs A3 vs A5

You should definitely bring your wife next time you go or travel there with close friends. Makes for a much better trip imo. Always found pure poker trips utterly soulless and beyond tedious after about 4 days

Aye bit you got to remember, he can actually play poker 👍

Can see that, thank my enthusiasm is pushing me through. Said to Deb earlier I felt like I was ready to c9me home. Then I slapped myself round the chops and remembered I’m 8n Vegas, to play poker, with no kids or wife to worry about and it will more 5han likely not happen again for a while.

Does anyone else watch DNegs WSOP VLogs? Last years I thought they were great, this year he 8s not runn8ng that hot at the series (obvs just won $3m beforehand) however I just think he is misjudging his prep c9mpared to last year and also his audience. His last few videos have been a right moan fest, particularly about other people’s bad play (which he wants, just happened to not go his way), even on the last one snapping at some9ne that wanted to say hi and be in his vlog because he was going through a hand history. I know it’s all relevant but for the image he usually portrays I just feel like he is letting himself down abit. All IMO of course.

Lol.

Haha, true dat

Good luck today, mate!

I learned one thing from his vlogs this year, and that it's the need for haircuts, after a hair transplant. Unless it's only the stuff down the sides that gets cut, obv.

Haha, top never looks different.

Wrong side of AA v KK left me sub 10bbs, get it in with AJcc on a J high flop v JJ. Onto the 4pm. Bb ante 15k 30min levels.

Found the dirty old chips at The Rio, they are in the 4pm Deepstack.

Day 6

Had a really fun day at poker today, obvs because it was fun I didn’t win anything but who like winning anyway. The 1pm Deepstack was quite hard work, the table I was at just wasn’t up for talking so I gave up in the end. Standard KK v AA and then AJ v JJ on a J high flop put pay to my chances.

It happened to be just coming up to 4pm so I decided to jump in the 4pm, 15k with 15 mins and B.B. ante, let’s see how we go. The table I had was night and day compared to the one earlier. It had a good vibe by the time I got there, a few of the guys were drinking and we were all just chewing the fat. The poker started off good as well with me getting to 27k in the first two levels, hold on a minute, dare we dream?. One of the guys eve; went and bought the whole table a pizza in the break (we had been discussing what the best pizza in Vegas was). After a while we got a dealer called Kim, she was an older lady and boy did she know how to have control of the table. I’ve noticed that the really good dealers always as soon as they sit down tells the whole table to have the large chips on top to separate, Kim was gonna take it up a level. Every deal of the hand she would shout “Cards out” and anyone who didnt get off their phone got an “excuse me sir” with a slight droll, “I said Cards out”  for the 30 mins she was dealing the game flowed, she kept everyone in line and made she the action didn’t stall and she even hoped in with the banter. What a delight she was and if every poker table was well control by the dealers and the players enjoyed themselves it would make for such a great experience, sadly in my experience it’s usually the opposite.

Anyway normal service resumed with the poker and after having to fold a few hands by the time we got to the river it suddenly found myself in the 10-15bb range. The tournament got nearly 400 runners, 1st was $11k and 49 were paid with a min cash of $390, I finally busted around 100 left after my AK for 12bbs couldn’t improve against 99. That was me done for the day, got back to the room about 8 and was fast asleep by 8:45pm.

So have been up since 5 this morning and it’s my last full day in Vegas, it’s been an absolute blast. Going to do the same again today at the Rio, let’s see if we can salvage something from the trip. My flight is around 2ish tmrw so I’m gonna make sure I’m packed and ready to go before I leave for poker today.

Spoke to Deb a minute again and she tells me it’s quite hot back in the UK. Quite funny actually as yesterday when I was talking to her she said she is gonna miss me when i get back, “Why?” I said, “We have spoken more since you have been in Vegas then we do when I’m at home” she said. Oops, maybe I shouldn’t play so much online poker, lol.

Likely I’ll be at the Sky leaving party tonight seeing as it’s unlikely I run deep at poker, however staying positive I hope I’m not there.

Watching abit of the Sweden V Mexico match this morning, the commentator who I assume is Mexican from his accent is quality.

I’ve had a few touches while I’ve been out here. Started with get Economy Plus on the flight as when I went to check in online there were only 6 seats left, happened on both flights (unless of course all of United are Economy plus, lol). I mentioned on day 1 that MGM refunded my resort fee which was nice and today I’ve had the best touch of all, I went out shopping for a gift for Debs birthday on 7th July, she is mad about handbags and has got a nice collection over the years. I’d already spotted a cou0le of shops downstairs that had sales on. Kate Spade New York had 30%, COACH had 50% but she really likes Micheal Kors which had 25%. Anyway I’d much rather get her something she wants than surprise her and get it wrong and it’s a good job I video called her as although she liked the bags i had sent via messages and was choosing which one to have fr9m Micheal Kors wh8le I was doing a live demonstration, she said she would prefer a watch. I asked 5he guy if they had any with a reduction and he showed me three of them. Deb chose what she wanted and I c9nfirmed the price with the guy. Then as I went to pay he realised he had made a mistake, he had quoted me the price plus an additional 25% off (twice) when in actual fact it had already been reduced by 25%. Oops. Give him his dues though, there was not even a discussion about it, he said straight away he would honour the price he quoted and processed the sale (we had been talking about the football as he was Mexican and was obvs over 5he moon with the result, think his mind was still pre occupied when originally pricing up).

Ends up the most expensive watch I’ve ever bought but got it at half the price. If I end up binking any cash today I’ll make sure I g9 back and buy the bag as well, Deb deserves it and I think Ivan does as well (salesman).

Very 1st hand of the 1pm Deepstack I have 77 on a flop of 77A, guy bets into me I call, turn A, he bets again I call, river 2 he bets quite large, I rr quite large leaving about 5k left out of the 20, he just calls and say show me your Ace we are chopping. He had AJ. Says he would have called a shove. Nice start.

Day 7

Last full day in Vegas. Was spending the day at The Rio, Deepstack started so well as I ,mentioned earlier I flopped quad 7’s very first hand, run out of 77AA something got my river raise paid off with AJ, nice to be in position for that one.   

Had to ma’e a huge lay down later on, probably the biggest I’ve ever made, whether it was right in the long term I’m not sure but it certainly created some debate at the table for a good while:

Solid good player raises to 800 utg from over 40k stack, I re raise on btn to 2k with KK from over 30k stack (150/300/25), BB re raises to 6.5k with another 6ish k behind. Utg just flats, I’m now very suspicious of utg as he was playing* very solid, if he shoves here to isolated which I would imagine he would do a large % of the time then I’m calling but his flat indicated to me that he wants/expecting me to re shove. Anyway I though5 about it for 30 secs and flat called to play post flop. Flop comes down J62cc, B.B. goes AI which was a given and now UTG thinks about it for about a min and re raises all in.  At the time the way he played the hand just screamed strength to me, I’ve taken kings out of his range as I have two of them, obvs the same with AK which I would have expected him to isolated with pre flop, on a J high flop he could be playing QQ this way if he took my flat call pre as weakness, no over Cards and now isolating, obvs JJ is unlikely as there is one on the board and then we now have clubs flush draws to take into account but what ones is he raises UTG and flat calling a 4bet.  Also I had Kc so reduces his flush draws abit.

Anyway I’m no expert and I probably should be getting it all in here, particularly in this tournament where having a big stack early is quite handy. So I fold face up (never usually do this but I’m either looking like a genius (nitty but genius none the less) or a complete prat. They both had AA. No king on turn or river but would have been good for the story.

Be happy to be told the maths says I should be going with it.

So the guy sat next to me got giving two gifts of a stack from the fun players at the table, putting him well over 80k at 200/400/500, very much right time right place. I ended up getting all the chips in the middle with 99 on a flop of 9J3, he has the JJ and no quads to save me.

I considered late regging the 4pm but I was feeling I’d had enough of tournaments for the trip. The punt sit and go sats on the other hand were gonna be an easy way to get out of it. Played 3 lost 3, played 6 last longers (table and heads up) lost 6 last longers, lol. Yo wouldn’t believe I do know how to play poker would you?

The sit and goes although lost could have gone quite different, got to the last 3 in two of them and lost the flip in both for the chip lead and nearly heads up, just unfortunate both of the heads up last longer were also in the three. The other one I was out first, got 99s in on a flop of 78Tsss vs AsQ, blank turn and spade river was all she wrote. 

Went to the Sky leaving party for a few hours, was great talking to a few of the guys. Good to hear some of them were having a good trip pokerwise. Matt Bates (Magic8something) had won the $80 PH earlier that day. A few of the guys were staying out for longer, I’ll def be jealous when 8 get h9me but not now, as right now I’m ready to go home, have missed Deb and the kids terribly and I’m all pokered out. We know but tomorrow I’ll wish I was in Vegas again but it’s not going anywhere and I have learnt so much on this trip.

No sure if I mentioned this previously but I managed to save about £500/£600 on the flight by not doing direct with Virgin, I’m with United out of Heathrow. The money was far more important to me than a few hours and some walking. I still have no regrets from m experience flying out here, however as I write this I’m sitting* on a plane for the first leg of the trip to go back to Blighty. I only realised last night when I was setting the world clock on my iPad and checking in that I’m going in the opposite direction 🤪 🙊 I changed at Chicago on the way 8n but I’m going to Heathrow from San Francisco, 90 mins in the wrong direction, lol, what a numpty. All part of the fun/experience and certainly a story to tell in the future. In my defence I would never have dreamed when booking it online that going further away to come back again would be cheaper but you live and learn. Anyway it’s 9:03am Thursday and all in I’ll be getting into Heathrow at 7ish Friday morning and that with only a 90 min stop over.

This trip has been an absolute blast and I’ve enjoyed sharing it with you guys. Thanks for reading. I’m not one for keeping a diary but as and when I want t9 I will post up some random stuff or trip reports. I’m hoping I might get a run at the Irish Greyhound Derby and may end up going to Shelbourne Park, although I end up pick8n* a few my main bet at the moment is Clonbrien Hero, didn’t perform in English Derby but a very capable dog. Obvs I’ll be using the Greyhound thread for any bets I put up.

Over and out.

Scott

Thanks Scott, been a great read.

Enjoy (?) that journey home.

Just got home. The flight to San Francisco was a doddle, then the plane back to Heathrow was much bigger and newer than the one coming, had 3-4-3 instead of 2-3-2, also had lunch, snack and breakfast instead of just breakfast and snack. Was actually an ok flight, the train, tube then train back to Stevenage was a killer.

Thanks for posting trip report was a great read!

tyvm for taking the time to blog a little about your trip. really enjoyed reading it.

We got home today too flew with virgin ,I slept all the way ,hot the 1019 train straight throughvia thameslink to peterborough!
Had a great time me n the GF. For 2 weeks then my daughter came out for the last week
Met the usual guys off the kracked Kings forum
Been doing some admin
Packing up now salad for tea then bed

Thanks for sharing your trip to Vegas I have really enjoyed reading it.

Love the Vegas diaries.

Thanks for sharing your adventures with us Ommy - it's been a blast!

Thanks for the comments guys, slept 19 hours total and still knackered, lol. Anyway I’d been updating Deb and the kids via what’s app and when 8 got home Deb had made a couple of frames with a montage of all the pictures I had sent them from Vegas, over the moon with it, such a great way to keep some fantastic memories.

Nice write ups Omm ..glad you enjoyed..

Like the Dnegs Vlogs.. most fave moment .. split up with his GF of 4 years.. arrives home late at night.. her twin sister been dog sitting for him..next Vlog shes there again.. u utter rascal Daniel..

I’ve booked Fri 3rd to Mon 6th to play at Goliath. They are running some pretty decent sats online (tmrw is a 50 seat gte) and I’ve already got a ticket and pre regged the Friday, if I don’t make day 2 I’ll just play whatever else is on or some cash games. Played last year and Friday was obviously the busiest day, got there early and still had to wait nearly 2 hrs as an alternate. If I win anymore tickets I might go up there on the Tuesday to tr6 and spin up a stack.

Anyone else going to the biggest tournament outside of Vegas?

If you do go Tuesday be aware they will unregister you from Fridays day 1. I'm there Wednesday on, there's an APAT event Saturday and a round of each Sunday if you don't go deep in goliath

Thanks Simon, didn’t realise that. Will just stay reg’d for Friday, don’t fancy having to wait like I did last year.

What is the 25/25, why does it become the 25/50 at Coventry, why is it called the 25/50?

The 25/50 is double the buy in of the Goliath with the same structure, how come it's on first and isn't the main event?

Does it have a guarantee?

Why does the brown cow give white milk when it always eats green grass?

Bigger guarantee ?  50k usually 25?

I LOLed

On a serious note, why does your pee smell like asparagus after you eaten it, but not like any other food you've eaten?

Why do you smell Omm's pee after he's eaten asparagus?

Proper lolling here , well played Vinnie.

Too good Vinnie.

 ;busted; :goodpost: ;bumwiggle;

Last day at work today and then off until 20th. Managed to book 4 days away at Coventry for the Goliath. Won a sat online so pre reg Friday which has nearly 1000 players regged already so will get up there early doors to beat the massive queue to get in. The only problem with going just Friday is that you are really limited to one bullet as the alternate list is just so big, better make it count.

Will try and do a trip report if I can over the 4 days.

I'm reminded of the photo below, which Ommy posted Next Door - it's a montage of photos from his first Vegas trip.

He had created a WhatsApp group - whatever that is - for his family & sent photos home every day.

When he arrived back home, his wife had created this montage, & hung it above Omm's desk where he plays poker at night.

How nice is that?


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

nice montage. took a few goes to get it on the wall, judging by the holes at the side of it :)

looking well Scott.

Looking well? He was living the dream.

Think this was in a Rio Daily Deepstack. I was rather pleased with myself actually - I told his table companions that he was very famous back home, & then departed, leaving Ommy to field a zillion awkward questions.



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

just reminded me of the time i told the air hostess if it was ok to go up to premium economy to check my grandad was ok :)

Lordy, what a memory. Took 7 hours before I was able to get the Stewardess to get rid of you & send you back to cattle class.

For some reason I vividly recall having brekky with you, Sicilian & (?) in Café Rouge at Gatters pre-flight. I recall it clearly as we had a window seat, overlooking the apron where the aircraft were parked, & coming & going. Blowed if I can recall who the other person at breakfast was though.

I tried posting it on here but the file was too large. I’ll get it one day.

Lol, this is what I’m dealing with, but you can’t say anything about the way it’s hung after the effort they went to do it. Although I’ve been back a month and I still haven’t done anything about it myself. Working too hard is my excuse.

In reality she took down pictures of Gary Mabbut to put these up so I should feel blessed really. To demonstrate how much she loved Gary at Spurs, he was doing an autograph signing at the old Waterstones in Stevenage, we went down there and everything was ok, there was a bit of a queue and as we got to the front Deb burst out crying, she couldn’t really talk to Gary as she was blubbering so much. I’ve never managed to capture a picture before this of someone balling so much yet smiling at the same time, first time for everything.

It was Gavin (pizzled) Still remember your excitement and interesting stories about the planes and the runway like it was yesterday..

haha, i take it back, if it was your wife that put it up. At least now you know she likes you more than Gary Mabbutt.

Ahh yes, Gavin, of course. I forgot it was him but can still remember every aircraft we saw.

Airport brekkies are the nuts.

Coventry Day 1

After having a hard last couple of days at work and knowing I was getting up early me and Deb headed to bed at 7pm last night, leaving the kids playing xbox and watching Netflix. Such a hot night we had 5he fan going for most of it. I’d set my alarm for 4am, I didn’t need to be up early as I’ve pre regged online but you know what it’s like, kid at xmas and all that, not Vegas levels of course but I do love a poker trip and a few days in Coventry with a chance to win a few quid, meet a few people and just wind down from a tough time at work is just the ticket.

With me going to Vegas and then booking this trip I thought it only right that we should take the kids somewhere. For the last 10 years the first two weeks of the kids summer holiday have been spent near Southwold on my in laws caravan, holiday home. Its 9n a beautiful site with a couple of fishing lakes, not commercial at all like Haven or Park resorts just peace and quite with a small kids club, swimming pool and a club house. This year however with the ground rent gradually going up over the years and it now peaking at £6k they decided to sell up, we had some fantastic memories over the years which is really important to me and Deb, that the kids have great memories of their Childhood. Anyway I booked for us to stay in a Cottage next Tuesday to Friday, only in Canterbury, mainly so we could visit my parents and Nan (the kids call her Grandma and although she is nearly 90 and not been in great health recently she still spoils them rotten with a goody bag every time  they visit). With my Dad having stroke recently it’s not practical that  5 of us and 3 dogs descend on a 2 bed bungalow. Anyway 6 days before we go I get a message from the owner (I booked through booking.com) saying due to ill health they have to sell straight away and cannot honour the booking, slightly annoyed with this as if I wanted to cancel I would have had to pay the full fee yet seemly there is no consequence the other way round, add in the dubious reason it all leaves a bad taste. Anyway the kids were so gutted when I told them and despite trying to find somewhere at short notice for £400 that would take 3 dogs I’ve been unable to, back to the drawing board, looks like it may just be a few days out over the next few weeks. Any ideas from anyone is most welcome.

So I’m at Coventry at 7:30 and get my wrist band and see the queue for the alternate, it’s 200 deep and the guy at the front has been their since 5:30 am (opens at 9am) gonna be fun to read China Mugs update when he does it.

Joined a 1/1 Cash game with 250bbs and after getting AK beaten by J4s twice I’m down to 100bbs, although should have been more as the second time the flop was AK2 tJ rJ, not sure why the guy called the flop but hey ho his call on the river saved me going broke.

Guy sits down next to me and the first hand he plays he doubles up his £250 Stack after flopping a set of Queens on a A7Qf 8t 7r hitting the needless FH on the river as the guy had a flush draw when it went all in on turn. This is why I love poker, all it takes is one hand, one moment of luck, one moment of being in the right time the right place. Lovely.

It’s 8:40am now, feels like I’ve been here a lot longer, hopefully it’s gonna be a long day, I’ll be posting as and when I can.

Reg just opened 10 mins early and a little cheer went up. Lol.

Day 1 contd.

Not catching the cards at all on the cash table. Another loss with AK and I’m down to 75bbs. Time for breakfast before the queue gets to big. It’s probably gonna be quite hard to get food today. Off I go for the £6 buffet. Not the usual standard I expect from Grosvner but must be hard prep food for this many people. It filled a hole anyway. Back to the cash game for an hour.

First hand back I win my first pot of the day when I open KJos from CO get 4 callers and I CBet the J high flop, one guy comes along, ck ck the Q turn and I value bet the 8 river which he folds. Back up to 98bbs.

Finish the cash session with 130bbs so a loss but could have been much worse. Thought I’d be getting the lot when I called a raise and 3 callers on btn with QJos, sb and Bb come along, flop QJQ, nice position to be in, i ck as I was so strong hoping someone might bet the turn, ck round to me again after there was another J on turn, I bet and had 1 caller, an 8 river and he folded to my 3/4 pot bet. Right place wrong time.

I’ve managed to have a nice bet on the Fav in the last at Goodwood, got 5/2, Someone has already told me to back it and I was in two minds but a tweet from Trigg saying it was a wheelbarrow job sealed the deal. Might pay for the wkend if it wins.

David Haye was the big announcement, signed up for a year with Grosvenor. Meant this flight is starting late but here we go.......

Badbeat alert, got seat 7. What really gets me is why dealers are not more proactive at setting the table seating properly, it my biggest bug bear at a ten handed table. Of course I’m not a small lad but we have an even bigger guy at the table who has sent everything pear shaped.

GL Omen- hope you get some more space for all the chips you will bag up!

Think there are 500 alternates on the list, we are 2 hours in and they are calling up to 60. Good luck number 500.

Hopefully that’s an omen.

Day 1 contd

Flopped a set of 2’s, rivered a flush and flopped trip Kings all to help me chip up to 35k in level 2. Either the chairs are as hard as hell or I’ve lost some fat from my behind. I think Vegas has spoiled me.

My Bb 3 limpers at 75/150 (L3) I rr with AQos, I called, flop AQ9, I bet he raises I call, turn 7 I check he bets quite big I call, river 9. I ck he mucks. Just over 45k.

Out level 8, peaked at 45k. Went quite for a few hours then lost a couple of big pots chasing draws and having to bluff the river. Finally got 10bbs in with 22 after 3 limpers to my SB, one of them had QQ.

I actually started to not enjoy the day the longer it went on. Met a few people that I know throughout the day and chewed the fat on breaks but in general there were far to many people, the chairs were very uncomfortable and ten handed is not the greatest at the best of times particularly when ever time you sit back down you have to ask everyone to move along.

Anyway not a knee jerk decision but more of one that I would rather spend the wkend with Deb and the kids I’ve cancelled the last 2 nights, just having a steak dinner and then gonna make a decision on whether I go back and play cash (highly unlikely) or 1 table the main on sky while lying in bed and then setting off early in the morning.

I play poker online at least 3-4 times a week and I think it takes some adjusting to playing live due to the slowness of it, I definitely did not have the patience today, in fact my enthusiasm died a death. Not sure I’m gonna come next year, I’m particularly irked by the £25 rake for a £100 comp, next year it will be £30+ of course the masses will pay without a second thought. But they have to pay for David Haye somehow.

PS Did anyone watch the last race at Goodwood? What sort of ride was that from Ryan? To my eye he should have been closer and would have made a proper race out of it if he was.

DTD Have an 8 max tournament this weekend with comfy chairs....

 :)

Makes me feel a lot better about my own decision to stop playing the Goliath.

Having said that, it seems that they've put together some good side events that make a trip to Coventry worth considering for next year.

Thanks for the heads up, I’m at home now so will maybe look at this for the future

The problem is that on the Friday there are so many people tha5 the other side events over the weekend are extremely busy and pretty sure the APAT was already taking alternates. Also it starting at 5pm on the Saturday means a whole day of doing dollars at the cash tables.

Also I don’t want to sound to harsh about what these guys have put on, it’s obviously a well run event by a good team who work extremely hard. Not everything is going to suit everyone, last year I loved it this year I didn’t.

Played Thursday glae it wasn't just me who found chairs hard to sit on and ten handed a nightmare and the tables too close.  I cancelled too as Friday would have been worse and a long wait for APAT  event.

Thinking about playing the 25/25 at The Vic, poss8bly tonight or tomorrow. Originally set this up for Luton but it looks like the next one they are hav8ng I have to work on the Sunday so couldn’t make Day 2. Not even sure if I’ve still got the last man standing voucher at Luton. I’ll have to pop down there next week and have a chat with Jim.

Obvs worth playing at the Vic as the price pool gets quite big. Just the thought of those 10 handed tables again doesn’t float my boat. Anyway just lucky enough to be in the position to be able to play.

Not sure if anyone used to haunt the Vic back in the 80’s. If you go to my Twitter @ScottOReilly (PokerPunter) I’ve posted a picture of some cards my Dad gave me this week. They have the names and faces of most of the management of The Vic when it was their 21st birthday (I think). You might see some9ne you remember (unless someone can repost it here).

Not sure if I’ve ever mentioned but my Dad worked as security at The Vic for about 10 years from 79-89, think he got the job because my Uncle who started as a croupier had worked his way up to management for Playboy or Rank not quite sure. Anyway because of this I always used to see my dad go to work of a night dressed in a suit and it seemed such a glamorous job (in a kids eyes), it made me always want to work at a casino. So much so that when I was 16 I wrote to Rank (I think it was them might not have been, also by now my Uncle was GM at The Vic) asking them what I had to do to get a job as a croupier, my dad always used to tell us what a croupier would do and how learning that job could take you all over the world. They wrote a great reply back, all official on headed quality paper and loads of info and wish8n* me the best for the future. Actually it’s one of those things that I wish I had kept. Anyway I went for an 8nterview near Marble Arch (not at The Vic) when I was 17 nearly 18 and got the job as a croupier at The Vic and was to start my training. Probably the most pivotal moment in my career as I went to The Vic and filled in a form (think it was to get a licence) had handed in my notice at my retail job for Dixons at Marble Arch and was all set to do what I had dreamed of for most of my life. Then for some reason which I still don’t know to this day I changed my mind, stayed at Dixons which started my life long career in retail. I do sometimes wonder what might have been as it was around the time that poker was becom8ng more popular and I would have been right in the thick of it come the MoneyMaker boom.

That being said I met my wife at Dixons, 3 kids and 3 dogs later here we are. Everything happens for a reason.

If you go to my Twitter @ScottOReilly (PokerPunter) I’ve posted a picture of some cards my Dad gave me this week. They have the names and faces of most of the management of The Vic when it was their 21st birthday (I think). You might see some9ne you remember (unless someone can repost it here).


Here you go, Scott;


(http://i.imgur.com/SlOi8gS.jpg) (https://imgur.com/SlOi8gS)

Thanks tikay

Welcome to The Vic, chairs are comfy. 1/1 Cash while we wait. Guy limps UTG, MP rr to 6, btn 4 bets to 46. All folds, proudly shows AA, looks like it’s the first time he has raised all day. Lol.

Great little story, and prob worked out for the best not having to deal with miserable punters :D

Good luck in the comp!

Just lost AA v KK AIPF when flop comes KKT, no AA for the 80k badbeat jackpot.

Next hand have QQ with four to flop and have to fold river on a JAATT board after he ck cld flop, turn and rr river. .

Guy limps UTG, MP rr to 6 sb calls, utg 4 bets to £56 and starts moaning when everyone folds. Lol.

Right I’m in from the start, got the nut worst place to sit, seat 5 on a table that Is right on the walkway. 40 entries so far with a queue that is growing.

Yuk, just lost half my stack when I flopped two pair on the btn and UTG goes all in on river, I eventually call and he had rivered the straight, I even saw him counting the straight when looking at his cards before he went AI, the way he was playing (hence why I only lost half my stack to an all in) I thought it could be a reverse tell as the flush missed. I gave him too much credit, turns out he had flush drawn and open ended straight.

Got 3k back off him the next hand when I turned the nut straight but also brought the flush in, river brought the T so any Ace is now a straight and he called my value bet and mucked. This is fun.

Guy raises UTG MP rr then two more callers, UTG goes All in for starting stack, 25k into 3k ish. Love The Vic.

I r a limper from utg (same guy who shoved), I’m in MP, sb calls (guy who I lost my stack to) utg calls. Flop T33 , ck ck I raise and win with JJ. Boring but true. 13.5k. Making the comeback, lol in level 2.

Wrote out a post but lost connection and it wipe. Cliffs down to 9k after having to bluff pot to win.

All in guy is out after missing a flush draw and being called on flop with bottom pair with 3 over and on flop. Decent call, was playing the player.

100/200 folds round to my Button, I have T8os, was gonna raise and decided not too off my stack, maybe a bit tight. Anyway B.B. who is big stack gets a walk and turns over the aces. Lol.

Ooh I have spied a massage girl, definitely a vice of mine, migh5 get one later.

Stuck between two bigs stacks, the one to my right keeps ras8ng when it folds to him. Table is lively, just waiting for an opportunity to get All in, I’m sure I’ll get called. Happy to have another bullet if needed. 89 reg but seems more, 30 re entries.

Lots of folding. 7.4k @150/300. Spoke to Tom (China Mug) let him know he has a reader.

Got 6.8k and haven’t played a hand since last post, good structure. 5 mins left of 150/300. Still looking for a shove spot.

Tried to get a bit creative, utg limps for 400, big stack who I mentioned earlier rr to 1500, I have two black Kings and just flat wanting someone behind to rr or I’m happy going multi way to flop. 4 of us to the flop, 594, utg ck, big stack bet 3500, I have 5kish and just call, btn folds, utg calls. Turn Q, ck ck big bet by utg, big stack All in, me all in utg all in. Utg has 55, big stack has QQ and Ace river is not the miracle I need.

Went for a walk and got some food. Love London and the vibe. Actually miss working there (not the travel though, tube and train = nightmare. Decided when I got back to the Vic to go home, blinds were 300/600/50 so 0lenty of play left but I got tired quite quickly (have been up since 5am, wouldn’t believe I was on holiday) and coming h9me was probably the most +EV move.

Tales of the day.....

Got a rare couple of days off together, kids at school and wife at work, what a better time than to venture into London for a game of live poker. Might as well do a mini trip report.

Decided to get the train, 20 mins from Stevenage to Kings Cross and then another 10-15 mins to Edgware Road, let the train to the strain and all that. Rather than walking the 30 mins to the station decided to drive, get to the station and both car parks are full. At that point the sensible thing is to go home, I decide to drive to the Vic, nearly 2 hours later I arrive, great start.

Just an observation from driving into London. What’s people thoughts on using the bus lane when you are allowed? I’m talking about the blue signs that tell you when you are not allowed to use it, in this mornings case 7-10am and then again 4-7pm, all other times you can use it. It seems the drivers in London make the traffic worse by not following the Highway Code, the looks I was getting could have killed me.

Wait about 40 mins for a 2nd table to open, end up sitting at a 1/2. Straight into the action for a couple of players as it’s set over set for 200bb pot. A guy that wasn’t even in the had comments to the fella that won it does he know what a tip is, indicating the guy should tip the dealer. The winner says french only and shrugs. Funny thing is the guy who made the comment has won two pots over 100bb ( in the 30 mins since), 1st pot he “tip” 50p and the next 25p. Should have seen the dealers face. Lol.

13bb up after winning a pot against a guy who initially sat down with £80 and was up to as high as £400, he won the money with hands such as j8os, k2os and just lost to me with Q6os against my QJs on a Q high flop, 3 to a flush made me think on river after he bet every street. I get without context to the hand that he has been playing his selection may not look that strange, trust me, I’m happy to play pots with him.

2 hours later... AA v KK AIPF for 300ish Bb pot. K on flop, end of trip report.

Brutal game, poker, ul mate.

Glad I mostly stick to eating nowadays!

Unlucky, mate.

Feels even more brutal when this was one of the last cash hands I played at live poker before yesterday. Lol. Both at The Vic, if I was superstitious I’d think someone had it in for me.

I did get thinking yesterday how many of these regulars at The Vic are winning, they obviously go there everyday, the pots are raked, then the £1 for the rake race and then another amount for Badbeat Jackpot (not sure how much). I get that most are generally sitting there getting points for the rake race for 9 hours a day. Most of them seem to have lunch or dinner there which is another £12, or both. Add in a cost for all drinks. It all adds up everyday. That being said quite a few seem to be older men that have already made a few quid in life, maybe it’s all just a side hobby.

As a visitor to the Vic, albeit a few years ago, i would think it is virtually impossible to beat the rake on the £1/£2 tables. Daytime games seemed to be full of people reading the paper or a book whilst they waited for aces, or maybe kings, or AKs if they felt like a gamble. They were just accumulating hours, sitting in the warm and getting tea and coffee at £1 a cup which I guess is cheap for the area.

I'm happy to take a piece of your eating action any time mate.

Cheers Ralph, can you send me whatever % of Marky's dinner he forced me to buy him last week?

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16rEGTrAB98


Went here with Cos & Prettyboy in 2011, and going again next summer.

You can pay 1/2 my bill here if you want, and I'll do a full TR  :P

That sounds like a bit of me. I often go into a restaurant looking for the narrative.

I mean heads-up eating for cash like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqHMvwC0lYg

What's that? :D

Sorry - it's far far better in print than the radio adaptation.

So the rake in the 1/2 game is 5% to a max of £11 with £1 taken extra 85% of £ goes to rake race 15% to badbeat jackpot.

Peak season at work ran from End of Aug to middle of December, over Xmas lots of tradesman take time off so unlike traditional retailers trade counters experience the quietest time off year. Just right to take my first holiday since August.

There seems to be an abundance of live poker available at all different buys in, not sure that it’s been this good in the last few years.

Anyway I’ve big plans for this week and they look like this;

Today is a rare trip to DTD, I recently managed to sort out a software issue with PP which meant I was able to play on the site for the first time in ages. Love what they have done and the sats are just fantastic value. Managed to bunk some PPL dollars so will be buying into today’s one day, xmas cup I think and then maybe the shield if that goes tits up.

Will also jump into the UKOPS main event on sky. iPad certainly comes in handy  for that.

Not much happening New Year’s Eve so will be spending that with the family.

Great one day at G Luton on New Year’s Day, always gets a big turnout and at £170 and 20k gte this should be a cracker, really looking forward to it. Played the last one day special a week or so ago and was really pleased with how I played and the standard of play I witnessed.

Wednesday will be the linked tournament at Genting Luton, £100 50k gte 2 day with the second day at Birmingham on Sunday, I’ve never been to Star City so hopefully will get a chance. Not to keen on Genting in Luton as when it’s busy it’s so cramped with the massive side tables and the machines blasting off that I find it off putting, however as I’m off week for the week and trying to play live more I’m gonna go with a super positive mindset.

Thursday I’ll have a day off, spend it with Deb and kids, early birthday celebrations as Friday is my 40th, I’m not one for wanting presents etc so will just take the kids out for the day somewhere and make some cool memories.

Friday I may go to G Luton for their popular Friday night tournament or may give Genting day 1 another bash. All depends but will def be playing one of them.

Saturday might be back to DTD for the 2 day Deepstack, depends on if I manage to get some more PPL $ or have had a bink. If not it might be back to G for their daily.

Sunday has the potential for a few day 2’s or if I’ve not managed one then G Luton start their “25/25 Festival” another one day special at £100 8k gte.

Although I’m back to work on Mon 7th I’ll now have to make room for the 25/25 that week and on the Wednesday 9th G are doing a high hand cash promo where they are giving £250 cash every hour for 10 hours to the winning high hand. Seem to me that’s gonna be popular and will def create more action so will try and get involved in that.

So quite a busy week of live poker coming up, couple that with the kids being off and Deb back to work it seems I’m gonna be busy, lucky for me the new Nintendo switches are keeping the kids busy.

Looking forward to April I’m gonna try and play the WSOP-C event at DTD, I’ll at least make sure I’ve got the right days off work. Then at end of May I’m toying with the idea of giving the $500 WSOP event a go, $5m gte and $1m to 1st. First buy in is rake free. This one really does depend on getting the bankroll up so that will be my mid year aim.

Going to do updates on here so should be abit of content for the next week or so.

Got to DTD in plenty of time, simple transaction to buy in using PPLive 💵, already seen a few Luton regs. Done a few primed minds, really have grown to love that app.

Anyway lose the 1st pot but with 150bb starting stack we have plenty of time.

Think a handy player from next door might have just sat down, not 100% sure, just going from memory of seeing a picture.

Whoever it is, remind him that UKOPS starts at 4pm, & there's a High Roller tonight. ;)

PS - Well done on your UKOPS cash the other night.

Yep, it was Bromley04, thankfully just got moved to a new table, lol, although I was to his right he was the button to my BB, really didn’t fancy having my blind attacked for the next 6 hours or so.

Thanks, love UKOPS, just haven’t been able to play as much as I’ve wanted the last few months.

Ask him what sort of Xmas Burnley FC had. That'll tilt him, for sure.

Lost another with QQ when the villain barrels every street including the Ace river, the board was T94KA, I played it far too passive and deserved to lose the pot.

Won two on the bounce. QJ hitting J high flop, managed to stay in front all the way against what turned out to be AK.

Then flopped a gut shot with J9, turned the straight and got no extra.

Third one get me back to starting stack, raise 79cc from MP, BB calls, J72 flop, check, bet, call, Q turn check, bet, fold.

Lol, I’ve noticed him and his wife are Burnley fanatics, Natalie possible more than Adam.

Hello, Love button ante, should be the standard everywhere, better than BB ante in my humble.

Give them both my best wishes please. Natalie got a very good write up in yesterday's UKOPS Report. She does a Burnley Podcast, & got to the final of "Football podcast of the Year" or somesuch.

Couple more hands AKos in CO vs BB won with a check bet call on Q high flop, ck ck 8 turn and ck ck J river and I beat A7.

Also picked off a bluff on the river with J9 in a 3 way pot on J72TK after i bet flop, call call and it was check to river, guy last to act bets it, I called and he insta mucked, didn’t have to show my hand, although in hindsight maybe I should l have showed.

Will do

I just love watching people at the poker table. The guy that always puts in less of the Sb and bb than he should. The person who huffs and puffs after they had to fold and the next card out they would have got there. The one who doesn’t play a hand and everyone folds the moment they are in the pot. The old fella with the shaky hands who wins with 42 from utg after turn8ng the straight and betting out of turn, “he can’t have a 4 can he” “ yes he can”, lol.

KhKs UTG, 2 callers, A79ccc, ck ck ck, 3c turn, lol, ck ck ck, 2d river, AdTc wins in Bb.

30 second shot clock and 4 time back cards, excellent, should be the norm, absolutely no messing around, poker is alive.

Just lost half my stack with QQ, I raised from MP, Sb calls, bb re raised (tightest player at table), I call, sb calls, J86 hh flop, sb Cks , bb leads for pot (last time he done this he showed a set), I call, sb folds. 2d river, BB All in. I fold. 40bb left.

AKcc vs AdKs, KJTddd flop, what!!! Chop pot lucky for me.

55 year old Fedor Holz is upset I didn’t give him a free turn card after going all in on flop with 86 on 675 flop.

Btn 4x I’m in bb and shove with 12bb A5cc, calls with AQ and a 5 on flop holds. Yay. One another abit after and got back up to 35bbs, went quiet for a while so back to grind8ng 18bbs.

AQos v 22c AIPF, A74ccc 8 turn and 3c river. Nearly another double up.

 ;popcorn;

Sorry should have been clearer, I had the AQ, nearly another double up but out instead, lol.

Anyway, straight down to Luton G, thought they have £100 on but it was £75, got over £10k, not bad.

A guy was clearly tilted after losing a hand and shoved all in when it folded to him for 30bbs, I have about 20bbs and have AK, easy call, he has the 23os, 2 on the river and I’m now at home playing UKOPS, all happens for a reason, will update a UKOPS win later.

Currently 7/366 with 2 bounties in the mini main. Starting stack in the main.

Had the best day of poker, travelled half the country, played 2 different tournaments, made it back for a UKOPS session, feel like a young whipper snapper. Bully Smith in the final and an ante post ticket thanks to Arb, managed to get on Chompy twitter tip today for the league one top scorer not 100/1 but he is pretty decent at them season sweats so look8ng forward to that. Just need to close it out with Sky now, Tikay turn on the boom switch please.

As a side point if any of you play at Luton G you will know who I’m talk8ng about when i say I played next to Albert Steptoe this evening, absolute spitting image of him, Kev I thin’ his name is. Great guy. Loves an Amstel, not as tight as you think he might be.

Is it Chompy? If not, nirvana for sure.

Am railing all the UKOPS events,,GL GL.

That was quick work with that switch Tikay,  other big stack on the table 4x from sb into my BB, I rr big, with my KK, he flats, QJ6cc flop and he shoves all in with 50bbs, I call and he has A6os, I hold for a huge stack.

Yup, got you sitting close up third of 321 now from 602 starters.

Grinding hard in the main, just had to bluff StayorGo when the 3rd heart hit the river then pick up a small pot on an Ace high flop against Itsover4U and another. Back up to 40bbs. Mini gone abit quiet 22/250, somewhat handcuffed by another big stack to my right.

Puke, AJ on BTN, just over a m8n raise, BB shoves, call, AT, TK on flop, no Q and. T on river for good measure, out of the mini a few hands later in 96th. Still in the main 66/116.

Out the main. Got a nice double up with AK v AQ AIPF which meant I had 39bbs, 0lenty 9n sky and a potential nice run, however Tikay turned the boom switch off, got AA utg, folds all the way to the bb who calls, KT8 flop I think, 9 turn, ck bet call both streets and a Q river, bb tank checks , I ck back and he has KJ, lose half my stack on that. A7ss v AQ of melty for 10bbs and that all she wrote, out in 69th.

Great day apart from bricking everything.

New Year’s Day at G should be fun, hopefully I get 23os man on my table.

Was up bright and early this morning, going to bed at 9:30 helped, left the kids to see in the new year, they duly obliged or nearly did, Eldest (11) was on Xbox and YouTube until 12:30, youngest (7) made it to 11:30 playing Fortnite and middle (9) likes her sleep so was tucked up by 10. Deb had a bright idea of doing a full shift at work straight after her two week holiday, always seems a good idea when it’s weeks away and as she normally does 4 x 4 hr shifts it meant only working another two days this week. Well safe to say she was knackered last night, everything hurt and as much as she tried just couldn’t stay up. If im not playing poker we normally go to bed early and together so that was our new year. Although it may so strange it feels perfectly normal and the kids are happy just to stay up late.

Took the kids and dogs for a long hike, managed to do 90 mins with different activities along the way, on the way home there was a park run happening, I’m aware of these from a while back and they seem like lots of fun. Looks like my daughter and I will be doing it soon.

Anyway the big week continues. G today for the one day £20k, always gets a big crowd so I’m here early. All well and good having a new poker room a few years ago but more people means more parking and seeing as to make the place bigger they used the car park it does make it a struggle at times. There seems to be an agreement with next door which eases the woes but the usual default car park opposite is now boarded up.

Looking forward to Bully Boy Smith winning the darts.

Could not get anything going in this comp and never got above starting stack. Nonetheless I bumped into someone I haven’t seen in ages and had a thoroughly decent time catching up.

Was suppose to play Genting last night but may not be able to make Day two so went to G instead. Cash games only, 7-9pm is rake free and a free food menu. Really great offer and two tables got going within the first hour, ran hot as well so had left within two hours with an extra buy in and a full stomach. Next week they are given away £2500 so I think I will be going back.

So Friday night at the G on my 40th. In true Dnegs style my intention is to win tonight, if not the tournament then it will be at cash. Live poker is alive and kickin* ladies and gentlemen. Let’s do this. If I learn how to post pictures these updates would be a little bit more interesting.

Update?

Not much happened Vinnie, Been trying to play live more but I’m really struggling with how slow it is. Also I like the improvements that PartyPoker have made. I have a plan to spin up $1 sats into PPLive $ to play in the WSOP circuit event. Haven’t converted any yet but have had plenty of $5 and $22 and even a $109 spin ups, only a matter of time.

Will continue t9 try and play live as there is plenty of money to be made from what I can see. Was going to play the Genting Bullseye but I’ve just woke up and with work tmrw I think I’ll go back to bed.

How are things at RIO?

All good at RIO thanks. Still getting free lunches so can't complain. Fingers crossed we are very close to launching. Will know more in the next fortnight or so I Imagine.