Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[tikay]

Sunday 26th October Alea Nottingham:
 

The last Sunday of every month, starting this month, we'll be hosting a different tournament! This month it's 4/5/6 pot limit Omaha.

£30 entry

15k start stack

2 x £10 re-buys available or can be used as add on at the break

6pm start last entry 8.30pm

Probably a bit small for a gentleman of your means (c) Mantis

Not too small at all, that's OK.

I played a PLO8 version at The Vic a while back, £100 thing I think, tremendous fun.

I got heads up after TEN hours, lol. Now you have to imagine the starting hand ranges, HU, in 6 Card PLO8......

[tikay]

On the subject of downswings, PLO can be seriously volatile.

I recently had a 100+ BI downswing and then when I thought it couldn't possibly get any worse I had a 28-tourney dry run with no cashes (I am ~20% over 5 years).

Fortunately just when I was dithering over whether to slash my wrists or hang myself I managed to cash in 6 of the next 11 tourneys and claw most of the swong back.

I have seen very proficient live PLO cash players go on the most horrendous 6-month downswings where they barely won a single session too.

All very true Ralph, though PLO8 is much less volatile, I'd suggest.

I do suffer from very flakey self-confidence, which does not help, but I'm convinced something is amiss.

We shall see, but I'm keeping it small-ball for the time being.

Do you think it might stem from when you decided to implement a "play for stacks" strategy rather than "small-ball"?

It's possible Ralph, but I don't think so.

I've been doing that all 2014, & Finalled in 5 of 6 "Live" PLO or PLO8 Tourneys prior to Vegas. Only fairly small fields, but I was never out of my comfort zone in any of them, & with a bit more aggression, I'd have maybe won 2 or 3.

But when I hit Vegas, the wheels just fell off big time. I then played the 6-Max UKPC Omaha & played, to be fair, badly.

Not sure how that crosses over into Online PLO8 SNG's, either.

It might just be variance, but I have to keep looking for a better reason or excuse. 

[RED-DOG]

I thought I would brighten your diary up some twisted pawn.

[Simon Galloway]

starting hand ranges are fine and dandy for HU 6card.  As long as you select all of them?

[Jon MW]

I thought I would brighten your diary up some twisted pawn.

That set looks familiar - if I recall correctly it's really expensive (?)

[RED-DOG]

I thought I would brighten your diary up some twisted pawn.

That set looks familiar - if I recall correctly it's really expensive (?)

I don't know, but while I was trying to find out I discovered that there are 17 films about chess.



http://chesscraft.blogspot.co.uk/

[celtic]

Hi teeks.

Just reading about jon raab. Not sure what he's doing now, but I do know he has just moved to Malta, to live.

Lucky B.

He will prob be along to confirm when he does his bi-annual catch up on your diary.

[Tal]

I thought I would brighten your diary up some twisted pawn.

That set looks familiar - if I recall correctly it's really expensive (?)

I don't know, but while I was trying to find out I discovered that there are 17 films about chess.



http://chesscraft.blogspot.co.uk/

Innocent Moves (later called the Search for Bobby Fischer or something similar) had some very good moments. The treatment of youngsters in the game was absolutely bob on.

[bobby1]

Claims that Tom Watson ridiculed European players and insulted his own

http://espn.go.com/golf/rydercup14/story/_/id/11636089/captain-tom-watson-ripped-us-team-ryder-cup-meeting-angering-phil-mickelson

Not sure I buy all that, Rich.

For example......


Soon after, Watson was presented a gift by Furyk, a replica of the Ryder Cup trophy that was signed by every member of the team. Instead of thanking them, the sources said Watson said the gift meant nothing to him if the players didn't get the real Ryder Cup on Sunday and that he wanted to be holding it aloft on the green in victory.
 
Said one of the sources: "That's almost verbatim. He said it basically means nothing to me.''

That sounds a bit embellished to me, changing the meaning of Watson's words which wrere probably designed to be motivational.

Amazing how they all fell out after they got their arses spanked & blamed the Non-Playing Captain.  

Man for man, the USA team were probably better golfers, certainly better ranked, but they failed to perform. So it's the Captain's fault.

I'm not having that. Anyway, I love Tom Watson, can't have my man accused of being the bad guy, few of those guys can hold a candle to Sir Tom. For starters, Tom was always the most gracious of losers. His Team would do well to take note.

 

The good thing about being as popular as Phil the thrill is when you need a favourable news report it's easy to get one coz most weeks you are giving the news guys quotes and opinions for free.

How is Philadelphia, Phil?

Are you there to take in a few NFL games, the annual trip thing?

Hi mate,

Philly was good thanks, the NFL game was a good one with the 6 point underdogs making a big comeback in the 2nd half and losing by 6, tho they did have a possesion at the end of the game to try and find the win. So it went to the wire really.

Are you/were you a Roxy Music or Bryan Ferry fan?

I went to see him in concert at a place called Tower Theatre last Saturday, it's got some history that place judging by the old pictures on the walls. It was almost like an old music hall from the outside with one of those large white old style 'live tonght, Bryan Ferry' boards with black letters stuck on it, almost like they might peel off in a strong wind.

Bryan Ferry is 69 btw..69!

He was really good and had a band with him but the set was 90% all his old stuff, was packed too. His performance was great and he still has that look and cool/suaveness about him and was really energetic all night, pretty good for a 69 year old, I bet he still gets a fair bit too given how well he looks.

Got the train to Washington on Monday and went right thru Baltimore and Baltimore harbour which I didn't realise had such a place in history until I went to the American history museum in Washington. Was the battle of Baltimore that the US held of the Brits and led to 'The star spangled banner' being written as a victory song as the US troops and surrounding areas saw the US flag still flying when the 'dawns early light' broke after the last major British attempt to win that battle. The original flag that was still flying is in a glass room in the museum with the words to the national anthem rising above it. Went to the White House too, tho that is now on a par with a trip to Dublin Castle and the first time I tried Gnocchi as one of the most disappointing things I have done. You can't get nearer than 200 yards and it is basically just a white house on a hill. ;o)

Saw the Redskins v Seattle game on Monday night which featured a probably career best allround performance from Russel Wilson the Seattle QB, was a 7 point hcap and the favs won by 10 but they scored a fg on their last possesion and Washington had attempted to tie the game up with their last possesion so was a decent enough game but Wilson ran the show.

Got to Houston today, its over 90 degrees and going to the Houston v Indy game 2morrow. Then the part I am looking forward to the most I go to Seattle on Friday lunchtime and going top see the Seattle Sounders v Vancouver Whitecaps soccer game that night and then the Cowboys v Seattle NFL game on Sunday. There are one or two really good walking trails in one of the big parks so going to have a day, prob Monday walking around the nature park. On a clear day it is supposed to be spectacular viewing from the cliff top walks and also the beach walks, hope the weather holds up that day. I was in Seattle last December but didn't have enough time to do may of the things I wantedbut really loved the place, the original Starbucks coffee shop is still open there too and still has the original look to it so will probably take that in too. Back home next Tuesday via Reykjavik which is a great airport to fly to and from the West coast of US, one day I'm going to stay there for a few days instead of just in and out as it looks superb.

cheers

[tikay]

Claims that Tom Watson ridiculed European players and insulted his own

http://espn.go.com/golf/rydercup14/story/_/id/11636089/captain-tom-watson-ripped-us-team-ryder-cup-meeting-angering-phil-mickelson

Not sure I buy all that, Rich.

For example......


Soon after, Watson was presented a gift by Furyk, a replica of the Ryder Cup trophy that was signed by every member of the team. Instead of thanking them, the sources said Watson said the gift meant nothing to him if the players didn't get the real Ryder Cup on Sunday and that he wanted to be holding it aloft on the green in victory.
 
Said one of the sources: "That's almost verbatim. He said it basically means nothing to me.''

That sounds a bit embellished to me, changing the meaning of Watson's words which wrere probably designed to be motivational.

Amazing how they all fell out after they got their arses spanked & blamed the Non-Playing Captain.  

Man for man, the USA team were probably better golfers, certainly better ranked, but they failed to perform. So it's the Captain's fault.

I'm not having that. Anyway, I love Tom Watson, can't have my man accused of being the bad guy, few of those guys can hold a candle to Sir Tom. For starters, Tom was always the most gracious of losers. His Team would do well to take note.

 

The good thing about being as popular as Phil the thrill is when you need a favourable news report it's easy to get one coz most weeks you are giving the news guys quotes and opinions for free.

How is Philadelphia, Phil?

Are you there to take in a few NFL games, the annual trip thing?

Hi mate,

Philly was good thanks, the NFL game was a good one with the 6 point underdogs making a big comeback in the 2nd half and losing by 6, tho they did have a possesion at the end of the game to try and find the win. So it went to the wire really.

Are you/were you a Roxy Music or Bryan Ferry fan?

I went to see him in concert at a place called Tower Theatre last Saturday, it's got some history that place judging by the old pictures on the walls. It was almost like an old music hall from the outside with one of those large white old style 'live tonght, Bryan Ferry' boards with black letters stuck on it, almost like they might peel off in a strong wind.

Bryan Ferry is 69 btw..69!

He was really good and had a band with him but the set was 90% all his old stuff, was packed too. His performance was great and he still has that look and cool/suaveness about him and was really energetic all night, pretty good for a 69 year old, I bet he still gets a fair bit too given how well he looks.

Got the train to Washington on Monday and went right thru Baltimore and Baltimore harbour which I didn't realise had such a place in history until I went to the American history museum in Washington. Was the battle of Baltimore that the US held of the Brits and led to 'The star spangled banner' being written as a victory song as the US troops and surrounding areas saw the US flag still flying when the 'dawns early light' broke after the last major British attempt to win that battle. The original flag that was still flying is in a glass room in the museum with the words to the national anthem rising above it. Went to the White House too, tho that is now on a par with a trip to Dublin Castle and the first time I tried Gnocchi as one of the most disappointing things I have done. You can't get nearer than 200 yards and it is basically just a white house on a hill. ;o)

Saw the Redskins v Seattle game on Monday night which featured a probably career best allround performance from Russel Wilson the Seattle QB, was a 7 point hcap and the favs won by 10 but they scored a fg on their last possesion and Washington had attempted to tie the game up with their last possesion so was a decent enough game but Wilson ran the show.

Got to Houston today, its over 90 degrees and going to the Houston v Indy game 2morrow. Then the part I am looking forward to the most I go to Seattle on Friday lunchtime and going top see the Seattle Sounders v Vancouver Whitecaps soccer game that night and then the Cowboys v Seattle NFL game on Sunday. There are one or two really good walking trails in one of the big parks so going to have a day, prob Monday walking around the nature park. On a clear day it is supposed to be spectacular viewing from the cliff top walks and also the beach walks, hope the weather holds up that day. I was in Seattle last December but didn't have enough time to do may of the things I wantedbut really loved the place, the original Starbucks coffee shop is still open there too and still has the original look to it so will probably take that in too. Back home next Tuesday via Reykjavik which is a great airport to fly to and from the West coast of US, one day I'm going to stay there for a few days instead of just in and out as it looks superb.

cheers

Thanks Phil.

All those words, but you just say "got the train to Washington". We need DETAIL, type of loco, what sort of rolling stock, how many carriages. Do pay attention.

We need a rating (out of 10) for Reykjavic Airport, too. To set the standard, McCarron gets 8, Nice 9, Athens 8, Charles De Gaulle 2. Luton does not register on the scale.

Heathrow has a different scale, it gets different marks for each Terminal.

And yes, I was a huge Roxy Music & Bryan Ferry fan. Bryan mixes in decent circles, too, he is the real deal, just looks the part, eveything about him. I seem to recall his eldest son, Otis (!) got in a bit of trouble recently?

Bryan dated Jerry Hall before Mick Jagger, back in the seventies, in fact he has dated all sorts, most of whom subsequently appeared on his LP covers.  

Amazing how he has been in the public eye so long, he must have led some life. He has announced a Tour for 2015, too. Rod Stewart is still doing gigs, too, he must be north of 70, Jagger too, even Steven Tyler must be close to 70.  

THIS is what a cool white guy looks like. 

    

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

[tikay]

The greatest train journeys on the planet?

http://www.theguardian.com/world/guardianwitness-blog/2014/oct/01/leaving-on-a-night-train-the-best-long-distance-rail-journeys

Can confirm there is something amazing about travelling across the USA on an Amtrak

Now there's a thing.

I recently came across an Amtrak Train called the Pacific Surfliner, runs down the West Coast. Can confirm the LA to San Diego section has already been added to the Bucket List.

Looks wonderful.






The train from Nice to Monaco is pretty special, too, runs right along the coast, as is the recently restored section of the GWR from Dawlish Warren to Dawlish, & along the Devon coast.

This GWR route is probably my favourite, as it has such memories for me. My dad used to drive steam locos along it, & I'd be on the sea wall with my Grandad Angell. Dad would blow the whistle especially for me, & wave at me as he steamed past. I was the proudest kid ever ever ever. Grandad Angell was by then retired, but he had been a steam loco driver too, & his first fireman was....my Dad. Grandad Angell took his new fireman home for tea one day, Grandad's daughter (Elsie) made the tea, & generally made a fuss of my Dad. They were married shortly after.     

Also on the bucket list are two "sleeper trains", one from Paddington to Penzance which I may be doing next month, & from Euston to Fort William.

The Pacific train is still on my to-do list. One of the ones I did do was LA to Chicago. Really helps you appreciate the scale of the USA. Although you may tire of endless fields of corn.

I was reminded of this by Bobby's scandalously sparse mention of trains in America.

Evety time I think of that Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, I imagine sitting on it listening to this........



Well, I'm going down to Florida
And get some sand in my shoes
Or maybe Californy
And get some sand in my shoes
I'll ride that Orange Blossom Special
And lose these New York blues
 


Hey talk about a-ramblin'
She's the fastest train on the line
Talk about a-travellin'
She's the fastest train on the line
It's that Orange Blossom Special
Rollin' down the seaboard line

[tikay]

Mention of "blasts from the past", they turned out in force on Tuesday for the funeral of Lynsey de Paul, including Esther, Suzi Quattro, Matthew Kelly, & Bruce Welch, looking a shadow of his former self.

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

[RED-DOG]

Ridin' on the City of New Orleans
Illinois Central, Monday mornin' rail
Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders
Three conductors and twenty-five sacks of mail
All along the south-bound odyssey
The train pulls out at Kankakee
And rolls along past houses, farms and fields
Passin' trains that have no names
And freight yards full of old black men
And the grave-yards of the rusted automobiles

Good morning America, how are you?
Say don't you know me, I'm your native son
I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
And I'll be gone five-hundred miles when the day is done

Dealin' cards with the old men in the club car
Penny a point ain't no one keepin' score
Pass the paper bag that holds the bottle
Feel the wheels grumblin' 'neath the floor
And the sons of Pullman porters, and the sons of engineers
Ride their father's magic carpet made of steel
Mothers with their babes asleep, rockin' to the gentle beat
And the rhythm of the rails is all they feel

Good morning America, how are you?
Say don't you know me, I'm your native son
I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
I'll be gone five-hundred miles when the day is done

Night time on the City of New Orleans
Changin' cars in Memphis, Tennessee
Halfway home, we'll be there by mornin'
Thru the Mississippi darkness rollin' down to the sea
But all the towns and people seem to fade into a bad dream
And the steel rails still ain't heard the news
The conductor sings his songs again
The passengers will please refrain
This train has got the disappearin' railroad blues.

Goodnight America, how are you?
Say don't you know me, I'm your native son
I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
I'll be gone five-hundred miles when the day is done

[Karabiner]

I think Bryan Ferry also dated Patti Boyd who dumped him for George Harrison.

I shared a classroom for a term or two with the stunningly gorgeous Jenny Boyd at Holland Park Comprehensive school when I was fifteen. She was known as Helen then.

I also got to know the youngest of the famously beautiful Boyd sisters, the ill-fated Paula who was married to a well-known but wayward sound engineer.

[tikay]

Ridin' on the City of New Orleans
Illinois Central, Monday mornin' rail
Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders
Three conductors and twenty-five sacks of mail
All along the south-bound odyssey
The train pulls out at Kankakee
And rolls along past houses, farms and fields
Passin' trains that have no names
And freight yards full of old black men
And the grave-yards of the rusted automobiles

Good morning America, how are you?
Say don't you know me, I'm your native son
I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
And I'll be gone five-hundred miles when the day is done

Dealin' cards with the old men in the club car
Penny a point ain't no one keepin' score
Pass the paper bag that holds the bottle
Feel the wheels grumblin' 'neath the floor
And the sons of Pullman porters, and the sons of engineers
Ride their father's magic carpet made of steel
Mothers with their babes asleep, rockin' to the gentle beat
And the rhythm of the rails is all they feel

Good morning America, how are you?
Say don't you know me, I'm your native son
I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
I'll be gone five-hundred miles when the day is done

Night time on the City of New Orleans
Changin' cars in Memphis, Tennessee
Halfway home, we'll be there by mornin'
Thru the Mississippi darkness rollin' down to the sea
But all the towns and people seem to fade into a bad dream
And the steel rails still ain't heard the news
The conductor sings his songs again
The passengers will please refrain
This train has got the disappearin' railroad blues.

Goodnight America, how are you?
Say don't you know me, I'm your native son
I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
I'll be gone five-hundred miles when the day is done

Hello I'm Johnny Cash
One night I had a backstage pass to the Willie Nelson Show

There you go, a bit of range-merging.