Amsterdam Master Classics - Interactive

[snoopy1239]

Welcome all to Amsterdam and this year's live updates of the Master Classics.

Play isn't due to commence till 2pm (Amsterdam time), but as I was nicely tucked up in my warm bed with a few moments to spare, I thought I'd say a few words.

After watching Borat last night, I thought that I would follow suit and explore Amsterdam in order to learn more about our Dutch friends and their way of life. I can then bring back the lessons I have learned to England, share my experiences and make our country a better place to live.

And, after a heavy night of exploration yesterday evening, I have already found two simple but effective ways of improving our nation.

(1) Improve our coffee

(2) Improve our sexy time 

I'm sure I shall wonder back into the unknown soon.

Jaaaaaaaaacksimash

[tikay]

Thanks snoops, & Good Luck to you both. Do be careful in Amsterdam, there are some naughty peeps over there I'm told.

[snoopy1239]

From what I understand, this is a four day event with no segmented pools, which therefore means that around 300 players will commence play today - EEK! It's gonna be a hell of a day for your updaters.

As the splendid Holland Casino isn't the type that welcomes press, something that I don't criticise them for, this is going to be a tough one to update. I believe we are being given access to the casino and the cardroom, but to what extent is unknown. Therefore, please don't expect too much from us and it will be nigh on impossible to accrue the amount of infomation we normally obtain. It is unlikely that there will be WiFi, we'll probably have to force our way to the tables, flash photography will undoubtedly be frowned upon and so on - if we thought the WSOP was a challenge, then I fully expect this to be a nightmare, but we will do whatever we can to provide you with as much information on the tournament as possible. You never know, the Holland Casino may have completely changed their approach to the press and decided to cater for us as much as possible. Fingers crossed...

Amsterdam is a cracking city and I truly reccomend that everyone pays it a visit, not just for the whacky backy and sexy time, but also for the culture. It's a very picturesque city with the canals, fountains, architecture and so on. In fact, Jen and I were able to head out on a brief ramble. At the very start of our journey we ran into Marc 'MrCool' Goodwin who was completely sozzled, so it's good to see the players are enjoying themselves too.

We went to a lovely noodle place and then onto an English pub (hmm, guess we're not really absorbing the Dutch culture here). And on the way back there was this guy who juggled a football at the top of a lampost. I saw him several years back on a Uni trip and was amazed then. I couldn't believe he was still here!

Anyhow, before I bore you into oblivion, let me just say that this is one of my favourite cities to visit and I am overjoyed with the opportunity I have been given. I can't wait for the poker to start and I wish all the blondeites involved the very best of luck.

[boldie]

Oh..remember Snoop.

Go to the Zeedijk (just off Warmoesstraat in the red light district...one of the more dubious streets in there) go to an indonesian take away and order a Roti. It'll cost you about 5 quid but i swear it's the poodles peanuts..and the best place to get it is on the Zeedijk.

Have fun doing the updates today...I for one hope it goes to a dutch player..but I'd be fine with TK winning it as well

[snoopy1239]

Correction. According to reliable sources (well, Julian), play is actually due to start at 3pm (Amsterdam time).

[Djinn]

We've made it - past the three desk wardens, past the guy who held the List, and into a tent made from red material which passes for the Press Room.  There's wireless; this has made my week.  Going to go have a look at the single table satellites currently underway upstairs to see who's too cheap to cough up €5k who's giving them a spin.

[Djinn]

I forgot to say Welcome to Virtual Amsterdam (which I saw a good lot of walking around this morning due to a surprising inability to sleep).  It's very nice.  And hard to get lost when you follow a nice straight canal one way, and then the other.

Five people have independently told me that the Masterclassics Main Event is the Best Tournament in Europe, so any of you watching, sorry you're there and not here.  But we'll try to bring you the best coverage, just let us know if there's anyone you want stalked, as it were.

[Djinn]

I've just taken a peek upstairs, and besides breakfast (which I am heading towards momentarily like a caffeine-addicted moth to a percolator) there's an impressive stage which has apparently been specially built.  Shiny, golded, padded, the thing is a TV-table, but bigger and more American-looking than any before.  It's going to be fun to watch, and easy too; we have a live feed from that table in our Press Box.

Spotted:  Lots of people I've seen in the Gutshot.... Simon Hennessey in proud logoed hoody ("I bleed black and gold!" - already my quote of the day)
Mike Tse
Henning Granstad
Mel Judah
Julian Thew (reading a copy of Rolf's book on Omaha in the breakfast room of my hotel - I now have my own but can't bring myself to read it in front of him)

And that was just in the lobby.

[Surprise]

Hi Jen and Snoopy,
I'll be one of your fans for the whole day.
Is it cold in Amsterdam ? 
And if you happen to see Isabelle, let her know that I'm ready for the next 4 days.
Your reports are excellents.

[snoopy1239]

Of course when you mention Amsterdam to most people they immediately think of cheese, windmills, clogs and whatnot (ahem), but for me, and perhaps due to the fact that I have been before, this is the image I have of Amsterdam; a very light picturesque city in which these long straight rivers cut through the streets. There are parts where you cross a bridge, move onto the next street and are presented with a virtual replica of the street before - another river, another bridge. It's very odd and I can imagine many people get lost, but it's ultimately very pleasing on the eye.

[Djinn]

Hi Jen and Snoopy,
I'll be one of your fans for the whole day.
Is it cold in Amsterdam ? 
And if you happen to see Isabelle, let her know that I'm ready for the next 4 days.
Your reports are excellents.

Hello there - yep I will keep an eye out - the whole upper area is swarming with people I can only assume are playing today, but they've got a good hour left before anything actually happens.  The fact that we are early for a change doesn't make the thing start on time.  Announcement just heard assembling people for the 'last' sit'n'go satellite - but last year there were at least six final chances.

And contrary to my assumption, it looks like one can still buy in at the last minute - although "there are only a few seats left."  Of course.

[snoopy1239]

I'm easily amused...

[snoopy1239]

Here is our hotel, the Owl Hotel. It really is a hoot at this place, cracking little hotel.

Notice the window-cleaner on the canopy. He scared the crap out of me when I came out of the shower today, I thought we were being ambushed! I was in the nod too which was rather worrying.

Luckily though he was using one of those sprays rather than peering through the window with a bucket of water an old rag.

The guns were on standby just in case. 

[Djinn]

Fantastic, they've moved on to one-hand satellites:  "If you want to play a One hand Satellite, it's your lucky day!"  Well, for one in ten of them. 

I'm bored of staring at the red curtain surrounding us - going to the bar to see if I can get some apt quotes from your Favourite Players (or, failing that, some players) to fill the gap before we can start loitering around the tables proper.  We've only got one press badge which gets us into the tournament area between us, but I got thrown out 24 times last year, and I'm still standing...

[Djinn]

Here is our hotel, the Owl Hotel. It really is a hoot at this place, cracking little hotel.

Notice the window-cleaner on the canopy. He scared the crap out of me when I came out of the shower today, I thought we were being ambushed! I was in the nod too which was rather worrying.

Luckily though he was using one of those sprays rather than peering through the window with a bucket of water an old rag.

The guns were on standby just in case. 

Honestly, this has to be in contention for most boring photo of all time.