Keith "The Camel" Hawkins: In the Well

[77dave]

What is your opinion of the aviation club charging an annual membership fee to gain enterance?

How do u see the future of uk casino poker?

[I KNOW IT]

Who do you think is the person behind the Poker Bastard?

[The Camel]

one more then Keith


you play less on the UK circuit these days. Is this entirely due to Jake and your desire to be at home or is it a reflection of any views you may have on playing the circuit now compared to say 5 years ago?

as a supplementary, which events are you playing in Vegas and do you go there with a genuine positive expectation? 

I would say that the reason I don't play as much now as I did was 90% the arrival of Jake.. I just have no desire to be away from him for long periods of time.. however even if he didn't exist I doubt very much I would be be playing as often as I did then.

The reasons? I hate the way many players behave these days. whooping and hollering when they win a pot.. it's like they've just scored a goal in the FA Cup final. People seem to have no empathy these days. Also, I really don't think my edge is so big these days, with expenses and  increasing buyins you really need a huge edge to justify travelling long distances to tournaments. And I'm certainly not as good a player as I was 5 years ago and the standard of opposition has improved enormously. For exaple, I used to think the main event at festivals at regional casinos used to be the best value on tour. Lots of players not used to playing deep stacks and slow clocks. Now all that seems to have changed. I played the GUKPT at Newcastle last month. I played on 4 seperate tables. Facing about 35 opponents there was only 1 genuine ice cream and maybe 3 other weak spots. There were at least 10 players I would rate as very good or better. Now that isn't a very good ratio in my book. The casino must take a little of the bvlame for running ZERO super satellites. But, the fact is young players in particular are just very good. They have learned in a couple of years what it used to take 20 years to learn. The internet and all the learning materials available have alot to answer for!

My two main tournaments at the wsop are the 10k heads up event and the 10k main event. I played almost exclusively heads up poker last eyar and I'm pretty good at it. I'm actually pretty proud of my sharkscope graph! I really think I have a considerable edge here. Plus the main event is the one tournament where everyone who is capable has a HUGE egde. Apart from that I will play between 6 and 8 small no and pot limit holdem events and hope I run good. I would like to think I have a small +ev but even if I don't I doubt I'm -ev.

[Irishdenis]

Hi Keith,  Hope the family are keeping well.   Any thoughts on the football starting this weekend. For the last few events..world cup etc their seems to be good odds available on match betting. I think their are a few real opportunities to buy money.

[The Camel]

Hi Keith,

Non poker questions if thats OK.

Are QPR worth a punt for Championship title 08/09?

What's your opinion of the new owners of Rangers? Good for the game or just dabblers who could get bored easily?

Who's the most loyal R's fan you or Andy ward?

Good luck in Vegas...

Hi Simon,

QPR definitely are NOT worth a punt at the current price of around 8/1. We may well be owned by 2 Billionaires but they don't seem inclined to spend much of their wealth on high class players. Clinton Morrison and Sammy Clingan (is he any good?) were not the sort of names we were hoping for in the close season. Samuel Eto and Francesco Totti would have been more like it..

We were in massive danger of going bust before they turned up, so they can't be all bad.. but I'm sure they aren't the second coming of Abramovich. They are businessmen pure and simple.. in it for the money.

I have a season ticket at Loftus Road even though I live 300 miles away.. think that qualifies me as more loyal than Mr Ward, don't you?

[The Camel]

Hi Keith, thanks for doing this.

A a sports bettor what areas do you specialise in and do you bet racing aswell, in the Betfair age do you think the edge that experienced punters have is taken away with the markets being far more readable to everyone than say 5 years ago?


Do you stake players or have regular swaps when you do play live?

What do you consider to be the most common mistakes that cash players make in tourneys and visa versa?

If you were offered a 6 month affair with a page three model that had a QPR fetish in bed or a 6 month 10% of Thewwy which would you choose?

thanks and gl in Vegas

Hi Phil,

Long time no see.. trust you and the family are tickety boo!

Basically bet on any sport that I have an interest in.. so apart from Motor Racing and boxing... that's just about everything!

I think in many ways it is easier to win today than it was when I started.. as long as you don't set your goals too high. I think I could win £500 per week with my eyes shut just arbing between Betfair and the traditional bookies and betting in dodgy each way races. It really is easy as long as you're not too greedy.

If you are betting straight up, I think it is more important than ever to go against the crowd. Regularly on betfair selections which are "sexy" get overbet massively and although the shrewdies had a value price, the sheep often take rotten value and you are more likely to get the value on the other options.

I have staked players in the past. My three criteria in order of importance for deciding whether to back someone are: 1. I trust them. 2. I like them. 3. I think it's a winning proposition. I'm prepared to waive number 3 if I'm doing well and I'm staking a friend.

I have been extremely lucky in my swaps with other players. I had 3% with James Vogl when he won his bracelet, 2% with Neil Channing when he won in Ireland, 3% with Stuart Fox when he came 2nd at the WSOP last year, 5% with Bushy when he came 2nd at the wsop etc etc. When I've copped a result, it seems like I've had few if any swaps! I don't have anyone I "always" swap with, usually just whoever I have a beer with the night before or see in the 15 minutes before a tournament starts.. just pretty random really.

In the old days, cash players used to be far too tight in tournies.. but I think that is changing. As I said in an earlier answer I think the vast majority of players are at least competent now and many are very good or better.

If you swap page 3 girl for Keira Knightley or Angelina Jolie I think I would have to say sorry to Mr Thew....

[I KNOW IT]

Keith
What are your views on the decision to delay the main event final at this years WSOP?

[SimonH]

Can you remember Mo  'come to poppa' Fard from Tiberius in Southsea and how did you rate his game?

[The Camel]

Hi Keith,

What are your 5 best Vegas tips.

Ok here goes:

1. If you are playing table games make sure you get your play "rated" and only play good value games. ie don't play roulette with 00 (there are single 0 roulette games at Bellagio, Monte Carlo and the Wynn) and don't play blackjack when the dealer draws on soft 17 or you don't get the surrender option.

2. Make sure you have dinner in the revolving restaurant on top of the Strat. It's a bit pricey but the views at dusk are absolutely stunning.

3. Best lapdancing club is Spearmint Rhino. But don't go on either Friday or Saturday night. Far too busy.

4. Don't be afraid to complain if there's something wrong with your room. You often get a free upgrade.

5. Phone the cardroom of the hotel you want to stay in and ask them to book you in at casino rate. You often get your room at about 2/3 the price of the standard rate.

[The Camel]

What is your opinion of the aviation club charging an annual membership fee to gain enterance?

How do u see the future of uk casino poker?

I must admit I hadn't heard about this. I like playing at the aviation, it's kinda like a 1920's gentlemans club. Very classy with a great restaurant. But, I certainly wouldn't pay an entrance fee to join a club in order to pay a fee to play poker.

I think uk casino poker while not doomed, is clearly uncertain. When the casinos are allowed to get unlimited slot machines, they've got to find space for them somewhere and the men with calculators will look at the figures and see the poker rooms are the least profitable part of their business and might be tempted to scrap them.

This happened before the poker boom. My favourite cardroom at Reading was closed to put in more roulette tables.. yet because the regular punters who came for poker then stayed to play the wheel stopped coming the casino soon emptied. It is vital that some poker friendly people are in positions of power within the casino industry.

[The Camel]

Who do you think is the person behind the Poker Bastard?

I sat next to him at a tournament at the Vic late last year. He revealed himself. It is nobody who has ever been linked with the crime. I was very suprised, but I can't tell you who it was!

[The Camel]

Hi Keith,  Hope the family are keeping well.   Any thoughts on the football starting this weekend. For the last few events..world cup etc their seems to be good odds available on match betting. I think their are a few real opportunities to buy money.

Hi Denis,

I have had very lump bets on Portugal at 8/1 and Spain at 13/2. Purely because they are in very easy groups and should qualify for the 1/4 finals impressively. The plan is to lay them back at much shorter prices and have a very nice little freeroll.

It won't be the last time one of my plans goes pear shaped!

[bobby1]

Hi Keith, thanks for doing this.

A a sports bettor what areas do you specialise in and do you bet racing aswell, in the Betfair age do you think the edge that experienced punters have is taken away with the markets being far more readable to everyone than say 5 years ago?


Do you stake players or have regular swaps when you do play live?

What do you consider to be the most common mistakes that cash players make in tourneys and visa versa?

If you were offered a 6 month affair with a page three model that had a QPR fetish in bed or a 6 month 10% of Thewwy which would you choose?

thanks and gl in Vegas

Hi Phil,

Long time no see.. trust you and the family are tickety boo!

Basically bet on any sport that I have an interest in.. so apart from Motor Racing and boxing... that's just about everything!

I think in many ways it is easier to win today than it was when I started.. as long as you don't set your goals too high. I think I could win £500 per week with my eyes shut just arbing between Betfair and the traditional bookies and betting in dodgy each way races. It really is easy as long as you're not too greedy.

If you are betting straight up, I think it is more important than ever to go against the crowd. Regularly on betfair selections which are "sexy" get overbet massively and although the shrewdies had a value price, the sheep often take rotten value and you are more likely to get the value on the other options.

I have staked players in the past. My three criteria in order of importance for deciding whether to back someone are: 1. I trust them. 2. I like them. 3. I think it's a winning proposition. I'm prepared to waive number 3 if I'm doing well and I'm staking a friend.

I have been extremely lucky in my swaps with other players. I had 3% with James Vogl when he won his bracelet, 2% with Neil Channing when he won in Ireland, 3% with Stuart Fox when he came 2nd at the WSOP last year, 5% with Bushy when he came 2nd at the wsop etc etc. When I've copped a result, it seems like I've had few if any swaps! I don't have anyone I "always" swap with, usually just whoever I have a beer with the night before or see in the 15 minutes before a tournament starts.. just pretty random really.

In the old days, cash players used to be far too tight in tournies.. but I think that is changing. As I said in an earlier answer I think the vast majority of players are at least competent now and many are very good or better.

If you swap page 3 girl for Keira Knightley or Angelina Jolie I think I would have to say sorry to Mr Thew....

Cheers Keith, the family are all good with the liitle un learning a new trick everyday we are loving parenthood.

best of luck in Vegas

[The Camel]

Keith
What are your views on the decision to delay the main event final at this years WSOP?

Dreadful decision. I wish I had the willpower to say "fuck 'em" and boiycott the event. But, I just can't bring myself to.

Harrahs don't give a damn about players and the so called player committee are just a bunch of self interested nodding dogs. They should be ashamed of themselves.

[The Camel]

Can you remember Mo  'come to poppa' Fard from Tiberius in Southsea and how did you rate his game?

Mo was a great character and I used to love being on his table.

It is guys like Mo that poker is sadly missing today.

It's very sad that the guys from the Matchroom crapshoot farce tournaments are considered characters.