Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[bobby1]

I saw this on another forum today Tony and thought you might like the read.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2001/nov/18/horseracing.comment

[Acidmouse]

Have you ever been to Eden camp Tikey? http://www.edencamp.co.uk/

if so what did you think of it.

Luton, Wednesday.

No - I had barely heard of it, & did not know what it was until I perused the link you sent - thank you.

It looks right up my street, & I'm gonna go see. I have to go to Harrogate (they are well posh there I believe) on business in about a fortnight, & I'll make a detour & visit it either on the way there, or back.

I can't abide "ancient" history, but I'm fascinated by modern history. When I retire properly, I'm gonna immerse myself in such things, that & Nature.

The website is a poor reflection on what is an amazing camp that takes you through the history of the war's, via 26+ old bunker type buildings.  The place is an old prisoner of war camp and only took me 40mins to get to from Harrogate. There was a parade there at the weekend where people who escaped from pow's around europe gathered, it was really moving. I hope you enjoy the trip if you can get there

[tikay]

Have you ever been to Eden camp Tikey? http://www.edencamp.co.uk/

if so what did you think of it.

Luton, Wednesday.

No - I had barely heard of it, & did not know what it was until I perused the link you sent - thank you.

It looks right up my street, & I'm gonna go see. I have to go to Harrogate (they are well posh there I believe) on business in about a fortnight, & I'll make a detour & visit it either on the way there, or back.

I can't abide "ancient" history, but I'm fascinated by modern history. When I retire properly, I'm gonna immerse myself in such things, that & Nature.

The website is a poor reflection on what is an amazing camp that takes you through the history of the war's, via 26+ old bunker type buildings.  The place is an old prisoner of war camp and only took me 40mins to get to from Harrogate. There was a parade there at the weekend where people who escaped from pow's around europe gathered, it was really moving. I hope you enjoy the trip if you can get there

Thanks - I will definitely pay a visit.

There's something I can't quite put my finger on about bunker-type camp buildings which is strangely evocative, ditto prefabs. The last two great wars were utterly dreadful for humanity, but in a a strange way, I feel some people, many people, may in fact have been happier, more united in defiance, as it were.

When I drive north on the A1, I always want to go take a look at Catterick Barracks too, but I don't suppose that's allowed. It seems absolutely huge, & I'm curious what they actually do there.

An employee of miine, a few years back, was a Major in the TA. He would regale me of tales of his heroic TA exploits - usually "stocktaking", or "Inventory" as it was technicaly known.

"So, how many Tanks we got in stock this week?".....

 

[tikay]

I saw this on another forum today Tony and thought you might like the read.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2001/nov/18/horseracing.comment

What an absolutely fascinating read Phil, thank you!

I could waffle all day about that piece. For now, just one or two things, as I'm in time-trouble.

He reminiscences on the difficulty of finding Racing Results back then, & late copies of the Evening Standard, which had the "STOP PRESS" on the bottom of the back page. It's weird thinking back - there were no Mobile 'Phones, no PC's, no Teletext, & getting Racing Results was an art-form.

I liked these two excerpts too, too, for the dry wit....

In the autumn, men who liked to decide the results of races before they are run raided Moore's flat and he promptly returned to Australia

And.....

The first horse that carried my colours, Evening Rain, won at Leicester in April 1989, backed from 20-1 to 6-1. Astoundingly, this caused a little local difficulty with the stewards. (My enboldenment). I bet it did!


What a life he lived! And the stories about Phil Bull, what a character he was. I'm almost ashamed to admit I lurked outside his home, "Hollins", just outside Halifax, hoping to catch a glimpse of the great man. I was a regular visitor at Timeform Houe, collecting Racecards hot off the press, & once talked my way into a lift to Haydock with Mr Bull, who drove a Jaguar, & supped whisky from a cut-glass tumbler as he drove. (Hock, it now transpires). His Jag had a glass-holder - I'd never seen such a thing before. He named his horses after Greek Gods.

Great article Phil, thank you, & I may return to it if time permits. The story about Maxwell, the SL & RP was fascinating, too.

Talking of Racing, I mentioned the long extinct Extel Betting-Shop commentary a few days back, & I had a strange 'phone call about it today, from none other than....

[tikay]

....Compo, aka Prince Compolulu.

He amazed me by telling me the Extel commentator I mentioned - the mockney-cockney guy - is a friend of his, & he still works with him to this very day! (It would be inappropriate to name him I think). He is now a proper Jockey Club appointed Racecourse Judge, & Course Commentator. Small world.

But some things are beyond belief. Compo tells me he won the 2.30pm $250 Laddies Deep-Stack $4k Guaranteed this week - two days running.

How?

I used to love that comp, played it almost daily, but somehow I never find time now. I've barely played Online this year, in fact. I need to retire again I suppose, but I don't want to.

Compo told me he's off to that new track tomorrow - I forget the name - for his first (working) visit.

The Great-Fish Compo works at At The Races with Sean Boyce, they are big muckers, have been for an age.

So tonight's Sky Poker "The Open", Presenter S. Boyce, & Analyst D. Compton, should be a corker. *

* - See what I did there, segued that spam in, after two Posts getting there, almost by surprise? Food for thought, just for Mr Lush.

[tikay]

OK, I'm off out. As I said yesterday, apologies that I have a PM backlog, I'll attend to them just as soon as I can.

[bobby1]

I saw this on another forum today Tony and thought you might like the read.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2001/nov/18/horseracing.comment

What an absolutely fascinating read Phil, thank you!

I could waffle all day about that piece. For now, just one or two things, as I'm in time-trouble.

He reminiscences on the difficulty of finding Racing Results back then, & late copies of the Evening Standard, which had the "STOP PRESS" on the bottom of the back page. It's weird thinking back - there were no Mobile 'Phones, no PC's, no Teletext, & getting Racing Results was an art-form.

I liked these two excerpts too, too, for the dry wit....

In the autumn, men who liked to decide the results of races before they are run raided Moore's flat and he promptly returned to Australia

And.....

The first horse that carried my colours, Evening Rain, won at Leicester in April 1989, backed from 20-1 to 6-1. Astoundingly, this caused a little local difficulty with the stewards. (My enboldenment). I bet it did!


What a life he lived! And the stories about Phil Bull, what a character he was. I'm almost ashamed to admit I lurked outside his home, "Hollins", just outside Halifax, hoping to catch a glimpse of the great man. I was a regular visitor at Timeform Houe, collecting Racecards hot off the press, & once talked my way into a lift to Haydock with Mr Bull, who drove a Jaguar, & supped whisky from a cut-glass tumbler as he drove. (Hock, it now transpires). His Jag had a glass-holder - I'd never seen such a thing before. He named his horses after Greek Gods.

Great article Phil, thank you, & I may return to it if time permits. The story about Maxwell, the SL & RP was fascinating, too.

Talking of Racing, I mentioned the long extinct Extel Betting-Shop commentary a few days back, & I had a strange 'phone call about it today, from none other than....

Would be great to hear more on that subject Tony.

Re what you said about struggling to get results years ago I remember a story(ive filled in a few bits I can't remember) I once read about a guy in the late 1900's who owned many racehorse but his working day restricted him from picking out a bet until he had finished with his business at around 5pm. 

In those days bookmakers and clients were real gentlemen and knowing that this punter would never cheat his bookie came to a gentlemens agreement that allowed him to pick out his bets over dinner in the evenings AFTER the races had been run.

This agreement went on for years, the owner would peruse the racing and telegram his bets to the bookie and he was losing several thousand pounds a year. One thing that he always did was bet on his own horses and would happily bet them in singles and multiples whenever he had several runners on one day.

On one particular day the Bookie was going about his business when he realised that the punting owner had had a treble from his three runners that day and knew that he would back all three with him later in the evening, working out the returns if the guy had his regular bets on each horse and the multiple bet he found that the owner would win back everything he had lost and more from these bets.

Fearing the worst he went home and awaited the telegram from the punting owner. When it arrived he had set out the bets as he always did in chronological order and he noticed that his first winner at 2.30 did not appear in his list, assuming he had simply put his bets on his horses at the end of the telegram he quickly went to the bottom and found a note saying

'Now onto my own horses, Im afraid to say that my stupid trainer has sent me a congratulatory telegram regarding my three winners this afternoon, He is under strict orders to never contact me with race results so I am afraid I cannot place bets on my horses with you today'.

Can you imagine that arrangement today?

[AndrewT]

That is a brilliant story Phil.

[kenjude]

He amazed me by telling me the Extel commentator I mentioned - the mockney-cockney guy - is a friend of his, & he still works with him to this very day! (It would be inappropriate to name him I think). He is now a proper Jockey Club appointed Racecourse Judge, & Course Commentator. Small world.

There's only one one commentator I can think of who's a judge - notably hot at calling photo finishes accurately if I'm thinking of the right one.

[boldie]

Great Leighs is the new AW track and it's supposed to be quite good (as AW tracks go)

Loved the article Bobby...especially this quote;

"don't lose your confidence if one result goes against your judgment."

Wise words indeed.

[tikay]

That is a brilliant story Phil.

Seconded. Some things -  many things - were better in days gone by.

[tikay]

Great Leighs is the new AW track and it's supposed to be quite good (as AW tracks go)

Loved the article Bobby...especially this quote;

"don't lose your confidence if one result goes against your judgment."

Wise words indeed.

Yes, that was a good tale. He must have been bricking until & during the last race!

[tikay]

He amazed me by telling me the Extel commentator I mentioned - the mockney-cockney guy - is a friend of his, & he still works with him to this very day! (It would be inappropriate to name him I think). He is now a proper Jockey Club appointed Racecourse Judge, & Course Commentator. Small world.

There's only one one commentator I can think of who's a judge - notably hot at calling photo finishes accurately if I'm thinking of the right one.

Thank you for the PM, & your discretion.

[tikay]

Went to Luton for their relaxing £50 + £50 tonight. Lots of early Cash action, the DC game was in full-flow, Ambro, Lloydy, Brian, Anthony, Mrs Bracket, but no Mr Hinge. They were squabbling like billy-o, too, all that "I was before you on the list" - "no you were not", so I decided against it, & I'll play the Comp. (Two full DC Tables were going by 9pm).

This Comp should be a shoe-in to Top Five, & I sat out early, while the speedsters did their thing.

I'd had a very bad day at the (blonde) Office, shall we say, & I was happy just to sit there & unwind, ditto Tighty.

We began with 9 players, & an alternate was drafted into Seat 10 after about 20 minutes. And then it started. He felt he did not have enough room - less than his "entitlement".

"I am entitled to have Seats 5 & 6 splitting the Dealer". (They were about 4 inches off "centre"). Prior to his arival, we had, of course, spread the 9 seats equitably. (10 man Tables are such a pain, it's fair to say).

So eveyone did that rather strange thing where they pretend to shuffle their chair along, pick it up, & put it down half-an-inch further along.

Seat 10 still not happy.

"No, your shoulder is not in line, you have to move at least 2 inches further".

Luckily, this squabble only lasted 15 minutes, by which time, the Table Mood was pleasantly acrid & sour, & everyone was making snide remarks at everyone else. Sanjay asked me why I was so quiet, but I just could not be arsed with all that stupidity tonight. I play poker for fun, not to squabble like a kid.

I determined I'd sit nice & quietly, & Final.

We saw, in Level One, 25-50, first to act make it 600 (!), then complain why he got no action, showing his Aces. Several more such examples followed. I was not sure what I'd do if I found a hand, as Raises were getting called in 5 & 6 spots.

I found J-J, with a Raise to 275 in front of me from Marino. That first Raise is the hardest to judge, whereas subsequent Raises are action dependent, & easier to read. So I made it 600, & the Acting Dwell told the story, followed by "with another 1,000". Easy, insta-fold, I show & he flashes his Aces.

I sat quietly for another 20 minutes then made my first move, in late position, I make it 400, with no hand, Q-3. (50-100). I don't mind action here, so happy to build the pot with sfa. The Sicilian calls, as does the BB, reasonably.

Flop was A-4-3, Rainbow. Hard to bet out with The Sicilian behind me on that flop, so we both check, plus the straggler that came along with us.

The turn was a blank, checked to me, I bet 1,000, & The Sicilian makes it "with" 3,000. Oops. Pass. He shows 2-2. My bloody Q-3 was ahead! Great play by him, but it's that bluffing thing again. I really must quit it.

Post-break, the Table Mood was still tetchy - what is it with everyone in April? - but I started to motor nicely now, & easily, & risk-adverse-edly, I turned up the Dial, & was soon in cruise mode with 10k.

I lost 2k in another hand where Oppo had the Aces, but that was the cheapest I could have got off.

Then I found two black Aces, & made it 700. I get two callers, & I bet out on the 2 club "safe" flop, & get action. Flushing? The Turn was another Club, but I gotta bet again here I think. Or thought.....

Anyway, he made it "with 4k", & I could not convince myself he had the flush - yet - & seeing as I had the Ace of Clubs in my hand, I decided I may as well bet the shop. Or call the shop, as it played.

He had it, the River blanked out, & I'd made the cardinal error of failing to put down Aces when the Board comes bad. I was pretty cross with myself - what a wasted oppoprtunity, the Comp was very playable.

I think my head was in the wrong place tonight. Like, up my arse.

[tikay]

Penly Pings it!

Huge congrats to "Riverdave" Penly, who won the £300 Omaha at the Norweigan Championships today on his DTD debut. He had a lot of chips early, drifted off the pace, but got the job done.

Mick McCool was 4th, Greek Jack 11th, & Rolf Woods 10th. Here's the full result, thanks to the DTD Results service. I am not aware if any (DTD-style......) deal was done.

David Penly £13,125
2 Rolf Galåsen £7,500
3 Steffan Kristoffersen £4,875
4 Michael Mccool £3,188
5 Fredrik Hovden £2,550
6 Kenneth Strandli £1,688
7 Eirik Svanes £1,313
8 Vidar Sabbasen £938
9 Daniel Hersvik £750
10 Rolf Woods £525
11 Kyriacos Dionysiou £525
12 Ylva Thorsrud