I would like to play poker at Dusk Till Dawn as I'd like to play in a venue where the primary goal is a good game of poker, instead of poker being used to entice poker players in to play the house games.  I see real evidence of strong demand, anecdotal and written, for such a venue amongst colleagues and friends who do not enjoy visiting casinos due to the tactics employed by the owners to entice visitors into playing table games.   

The table games, which provide increased margins for the owners business far superior to the small margins the owners achieve from the game of poker, are a big cause of gambling addiction. Studies show poker, and other games of both skill and chance (like blackjack, gin rummy, backgammon etc.) are in fact the least likely source of a gambling addiction, because these games do not offer the quick win, or the ability to sit back and watch reels spin in front of you.  The most addictive kinds of gaming are those that require nothing but passive participation, and do not require any special knowledge in order to play. These games appeal to the less-savvy gamblers, and are particularly appealing to the most at-risk for problem gaming. This is why things like slot machines, roulette, and lotteries are the most addictive forms of gambling. Add the fact that these forms advertise millions of pounds in payouts and prey on those who do not realise their odds of winning approach zero, and they are even more powerful.

Surely Mr Yong should be applauded for making the important distinction between these two very different forms of gambling and providing people the opportunity to experience one without the other in a safe, legal environment.

Philip Anderson
Practice Manager, I.T. sector.
Hucknall, Nottingham

I'm in as gonedoon. Long time lurker in the forum who rarely surfaces to post

I would not bother for a £0 buy-in.  Part of the thrill of a tourney for me is that it involves risking something to win something. Guess thats the "gamble" in me 

Would prefer £50-£100 freezout but would play for £30 as well. 

Why not make it a £25 event with one rebuy?  Seems to be the middle ground to me....

Phil.

Hey folks, I have a number of places left in my Sunday afternoon home game in Notts this w/e.  Location is my flat about 5 mins walk from the Gala, buy-in is £20 freeze, NLHE.  8 players max.  Start time 1.15pm.

Happy for any blondites who fancy it to drop me a PM for more details.

cheers

Phil

To answer kev's question I ended up in 6th place on the night, which I was happy with considering the cards I had during the night.  I didnt want that to affect any answers which is why i didnt put it in the first post.

When the final table of 9 kicked off I was in 8th place, but some kamikaze poker from the other shorter stacks helped me fade further into the money.  Thing is all the way through the final table I kept thinking how I could reallly be having some fun if I had played those queens!  The flipside is I could have been on my way home instead!

thanks for the views.

Off to Northampton now for the shootout - what on earth is poker starting at 10am for?!?!?

Hi again all,

Back again for more good advice!

Once again played the 50 freeze at gutshot on thursday.  Think I'm addicted to this tourney, freezouts should be compulsory!

This is the hand in question.

Down to 15 players, I have 13000 points.  Blinds are at 500-1000 ish.

I look down to find QQ in the BB.  position 1 goes all in for 8000.  position 3 and button call.  Both have around 25000 before the call.

I think for a long time (must have been 3 minutes!) and eventually lay them down.   

My reasoning was that I must be up against at least 2 aces from the 3 hands, and poss even KK or AA.  I had time to play more poker and I would surely find a better spot than this.  I didnt think a re-raise all in would have pushed either of the other players off for 5k more, and i didnt want to play qq v 4 opponents.

As it turned out I would have won the hand, but I would have been up against AK, AQ, and 55.  When I revealed to the table i folded queens most thought i made the wrong move hence the question.  Even had one guy outside at the break telling me I was crazy to lay em!

For a change I actually think I'm in the right on this one L   thoughts?

Happy birthday fella!

But surely if everyone knows its a team event it could be good craic.  A site I play on had a UK vs USA vs Rest of world series.  1 heads up series then 2 tournaments in which team play and collusion was allowed.  Made for some very interesting tactics, specially when you got 4 UK players vs 1 US at final table.  As i say was a good laugh and brought up some interesting tactical discussions.  Nothing more than a good laiugh and all knew what they were into.

UK won of course...

Hi all,

Many thanks for all the advice.  Its interesting cos I walked out thinking I made the right move, but by the time I got to the hotel I wasn't so sure hence the post!

Snoopys points in particular helps a lot.  I should have decided what I really wanted the result to be before pushing in.  In hindsight playing a coin flip wasn't what was required at that stage, but thats what I was looking for....

thanks again

Phil.

Hi all,

Due to the bombings yesterday I got locked out of my hotel (the grafton next to warren street), and the outlook was that we would not be lack back in till the next day so I couldnt think of anything better to do than head to gutshot for the 50 freezout.  Had a top time, lots of good craic re the wsop, and played with some v good players.  Think I learn every time I play there (apart from maybe in the 5 rebuy!!).

Just after a little advice on the hand I went out on if the players on here would be so kind.  Blinds are 350-700, and I have about 5200 points.  I had just been moved to th dealer table and I find 99 on the button.

1st position raises to 2000 to go.  I had played with him earlier and my impression was of a good player who was not afraid to have a crack at the blinds from EP and then show trash if everyone folded. He had about the same stack as me. 

A big stack (10000+) just calls from MP.

I think for a minute and decide I want this 1v1 if poss so I push all in for 5200.  Unfortunatly both call - EP with KQs and big stack with A10o.  the 9's hold up till the river when a Q hits and puts me out in the middle of the field.

So the question is - should I have:

a)  just called and seen what the board was to bring?
b) folded and waited for better than 99?
c) pushed in as I did.

just interested in what others would do in this situation. 

btw - stayed in a travelodge near gutshot in the end and got back in the hotel this morning for a much needed chang of keks!  I really think gutshot should start selling branded toothbrushs and pants - with London the way it is now this may not be the last time a punter gets caught short

cheers

Phil.

I'm up for that Adam, count me in.

Dont know where you are getting the "shootings" and "attacks" bit from mate.  I'm opposite Warren St at the office and it has been evacuated as has a bus in Hackney.  BBC says that there have been some dummy detonations of some sort - no idea what that means.

I arrived at St. Pancreas by train from Notts 40 minutes after the first explosion. It was rumour city at that point : Power Surges had caused explosions anda full power cut, a tube train had crashed into another at liverpool street etc etc...

I think quite sensibly all rail employees seemed to be communicating the power surge story - any mention of "terrorism" or the word "bomb" could easily have caused mass panic and god knows what would have hapened then.

My office is at the top of tottenham court road where it meets euston road, and as I was walking there they were clearing the whole of euston road. Helicopters everywhere, blue lights everywhere and thousands and thousands of ppl milling round on the streets.

When I got to the office I found that one of my team was on the bus behind the one that blew at russel square, so a couple of her close freinds went to pick her up and take her home, shaken but thankfully alright. The bus in front was full, which was why she got on the one she was on.

All my immediate team are OK thankfully, but there is a lot of worry here about who might have been caught up on it. You see the entire mobile network is f*cked, Vodafone have made the decision that there network is closed down to all but emergency calls to allow the police etc to communicate. O2 and Orange phones are getting some connection but with difficulty. Even land lines are now reaching capacity.

At the moment we are keeping ppl here in the office - as thats the advice from the police etc. But London still has a long day ahead to get everyone home. Tubes are confirmed out for at least today, and lots of overground affected to. No decision on gtting the buses back on the roads yet. Have to play it by ear, but i think I may have a few guests on my hotel room floor!

Echo RED-DOGS sentiments - terrorism does not f*cking work politically, so why keep doing it? I'll answer that myself. These are not political activists, any purpose they serve is just an excuse. They are people who like violence, and its f*ck all to do with "beliefs".

My condolences go out to those severly affected by this.  Tightend - glad to hear you came out OK.

Phil.

I'm a gonner. Oh well 

Call a 4000 raise with AA

Flop 10 7 4.  I push in for last 9000, Angie has 1010.

Thats poker.  Thanks to Ironside for organising etc.  Top structure, really enjoyed it, look forward to the next one.

Phil.

unfortunately yes