Sky Poker- Thanks.

[RED-DOG]

Just a quick note to say thank you to everyone involved with the inaugural event of the Sky Poker Tour.

It was such good fun. There were players of skill levels, from full time pro's and amateur champions right down to complete novices...and Compo. It was played in great spirit and everyone I spoke to said they had a really good time. It was especially nice to see the ones who were obviously talented online players but unsure of "Table etiquette" make nervous starts, only to blossom as the tournament wore on and their confidence grew.

Although it was a fun day, it was nevertheless a hotly contested tournament with some serious prizes on offer. the top 20 players got a share of the £5000 pot with just shy of 2k going to the winner, and the top 10 also got a seat in next years £25,000 guaranteed Grand Final.

Three things really stood out for me.

One was the number of female players, I have no idea of the figures but there was a lot of ladies present.

Two was the quality play. Overall the standard was very high.

Three was the comaradare of the Sky players, they enjoyed each others company and they enjoyed their poker, and that's exactly how it should be.


PS- Big thanks to all at DTD.  Especially to Mathilde (sp?) who looked stunning and doubled me up when I really needed it, and to Mr Simon Trumper, who did a 12 hour shift, made everything run like clockwork, and made it look easy.

Thanks Guys!

[ripple11]

Just a quick note to say thank you to everyone involved with the inaugural event of the Sky Poker Tour.

It was such good fun. There were players of skill levels, from full time pro's and amateur champions right down to complete novices...and Compo. It was played in great spirit and everyone I spoke to said they had a really good time. It was especially nice to see the ones who were obviously talented online players but unsure of "Table etiquette" make nervous starts, only to blossom as the tournament wore on and their confidence grew.

Although it was a fun day, it was nevertheless a hotly contested tournament with some serious prizes on offer. the top 20 players got a share of the £5000 pot with just shy of 2k going to the winner, and the top 10 also got a seat in next years £25,000 guaranteed Grand Final.

Three things really stood out for me.

One was the number of female players, I have no idea of the figures but there was a lot of ladies present.

Two was the quality play. Overall the standard was very high.

Three was the comaradare of the Sky players, they enjoyed each others company and they enjoyed their poker, and that's exactly how it should be.


PS- Big thanks to all at DTD.  Especially to Mathilde (sp?) who looked stunning and doubled me up when I really needed it, and to Mr Simon Trumper, who did a 12 hour shift, made everything run like clockwork, and made it look easy.

Thanks Guys!

Completely agree with Red's post.

A very enjoyable day.....the only downside was I believe they ran out of Guinness, and Kin had to move on to shorts

[Compo]

Ditto the above. It was terrific to meet so many faces behind the names and proves that the Sky poker ethos is spot on. Thanks to all the players who put up with me, with special mentions to the A-A lady (Gee Gee?) and the extremely unlucky guys on the end of my "value" 3-5 shove. Hope I never have to analyse that move!!

[Chili]

I was gonna do that Tom.  I echo everything that you said too.  Was a great evening, just wish I could have done a Jen and been bladdered hehe. 

There were tons of women wasn't there! At least 2 on every table which is rare imo!  Great fun, great spirit and made some extra friends too.

Thanks SKY and thanks for the trophy 

[niamhsdad]

I was one of those complete novices, and I'd like to echo everything Red-Dog has said

Having never played live before, I was as nervous as a kitten before the event started and having Nick Jenkins, Pete Conduit and a couple of other non sky qualifiers (and obvious DTD regulars) on my table didnt help the nerves much, but being slapped in the face by the deck for the first level & a half soon settled me down!!

After being moved tables I had the pleasure of watching Compo do what I've read on here he is renowned for (all in, Q10 v AK on an A high flop, turn 10, river 10) and after being moved again I had Norman Pace on my left (what a total gent he is).

I'd made it half way through level 6 when I decided to make a stand against the table bully with when he re-raised me all in - he had KJ & turned a K.  Would have had double the average if I'd have held there but it wasn't to be, maybe I should have been a bit more patient but as much as I was enjoying myself I didnt want to die a slow death and winning that pot would have put me right in the mix. 

The fact that Sky Poker small have given stakes players such as myself having the opportunity to play in a comp like that at somewhere like DTD for £2.65 is fantastic - long may they continue to do so and roll on leg 2 of the tour in Birmingham (immediately boks himself from qualifying!!)

[kinboshi]

Ditto the above and well played to ITB, Red-Dog and RedBull who all finished in the top 10 - and of course to that fella Chili who only went and won it.

A great day, great atmosphere and great fun.  To top it all off our friend Yogi kindly put the footy on the screens so we could watch Liverpool beat man u - making the day even better

Oh and thanks to Des and Claw for the lifts.  Much appreciated.

[Redbull]

What Tom said! Great fun. 

[celtic]

All those women there and a bloke still won it? ffs, come on girls.

Well played Chilli.

[DaveShoelace]

Actually the most fun Ive had at the tables this year I reckon, such a friendly relaxed envrionment.

Twas actually my first time meeting Mr Red-Dog himself and he was the entertaining gent I expected him to be from his writing. He also got away from some sickening coolers and well play him for getting as far as he did, because he didnt run good at all. So glad I could finally grant him the coinflip win he has been searching for for so long.

Well done Chilli, she is starting to turn into a girl Thewy and its getting tiresome congratulating her for winning everything (Any joy with that Pokerstars money we were talking about btw?)

[Chili]

Hahaha "girl Thewy"  I like it and I wish.  EPT next??  Who the hell knows!  No reply yet mate from Pokerstars, email sent early hours of this morning and had confirmation that my email had been forwarded to the relevant department!! I'll let you know.

[Claw75]

here here!  great day, and looking forward to the next one!

[Richard Orford]

Hi everyone- fully agree.

I had a great day, despite the round-the-clock grief I received covering everything from my suspect poker play to my even more suspect tanktop.  I caught up with a lot of familiar faces and felt that Sky Poker was really beginning to become a community- helped, in no small part, to the large Blonde presence.

Simon Trumper and DTD hosted the event in a very professional but light-hearted manner and the gang from Sky Poker did a terrific job of putting the whole darn shooting match together.

Least but not last, I must pay homage to Tikay who did his usual marathon of ambassadorial duties whilst keeping everyone entertained. I personally think he deserves an OBE for his services to the poker industry and hope that he gets it from Buckingham Palace before his 100th birthday telegram. That gives him five years. Good luck mate.

On a personal note, the day was something of an epiphany for me.

Having watched Compo in action, I realise now that I'm still some years off achieving even a basic grasp of poker strategy.
 
You see, there was me thinking that if you were in a freeze-out with plenty of chips and you faced an all-in, followed by a re-raise all-in, and you had 5-3 offsuit, you should fold.

Compo however, poker enigma that he is, thought that folding was waaaaay too obvious, so elected for the sneaky 'call' option.

Facing AK and AJ, he went even further behind on the flop when they both hit their Ace, but clearly knew what he was doing, because he quickly went on to hit trip fives and knock out both his opponents.

I thank Dave for this invaluable insight and you'll be pleased to hear I'm currently in the process of shredding all my poker books, so that I'm never misled by the likes of Dan Harrington and Doyle Brunson again.

See you all at the next one!
 

[technolog]

So you're saying Compo rocked it up to impress the Sky suits?

[Photurian]

What can i say that hasn't already been said?

I enjoyed every single minute of the day grinding through to 4th made it great for me personally and being seated with some nice and entertaining people helped too. Sitting next to REDDOG eating his breakfast was an experience!

A bit of tuition from BAINN and HARMONY which i will be taking to heart and trying to add to my game so massive thanks for that and dedicate my 4th to BAINN and the lovely HARMONY, it was nice to have a cheering section!!! just didnt happen!

And like i said all night to the lovely chili "go on girl" thats for the EPT i'll sit next to you and cheer you on that one too!!

Well done to all involved, and special thanks to - SKY Tikay, Mr Simon Trumper, everybody especially the dealers.

All ready for Luton now and just hope i can do as well but then again.....................

[Chili]

Aha, that was you lol.  I will never forget getting cheered on and encorouged to win by a guy that was still in the final hehe.  Wp though and glad you enjoyed yourself, so did I funnily enough x.