WOW WOW WOW what a night!
Having spent the last few months or so hearing about blonde poker 2nd hand from Chili also being bored watching poker games on TV, and even more bored listening to Chili and her dad swapping poker stories and bad beats I actually………………………………………..FINALLY GET IT !!
So here my story …..appologies it’s a little long though….
There isn’t a day goes by of late when Chili is not thinking about poker playing poker or posting about poker on the blonde forum. For me this is a little tiresome as although I could play well I knew the hands I have never really got it. I always considered very much a game of luck and chance, and with my busy schedule out of work with training amongst other things I have not really had chance to delve further.
Chili has been very excited about me meeting her good friends at blonde and me playing in a live torny. My last one was about a year and a half ago in Notts where I got knocked out and the dealer who new Chilis dad said I did not have a clue what I was doing…I was not offended as he was right.
Anyway so as not to endure similar comments at the blonde bash, I recruited Chili’s dad into a bit of coaching with some online games over the Christmas break. This certainly helped me understand the betting and position tactics a bit better although I did not do too well on my own due to the fact after about an hour I became bored very loose and very knocked out. Much to Chills disdain as it was her account I was using for the $10 sit and go’s ,.
So yesterday arrived Chili rushed home from worked @ 4.30 and got the hump with me because I was not ready and sat watching a film. Anyway we arrived in Birmingham at about 6.40, went through the joining procedure at the casino and headed into the arena.
I instantly recognized Red Dog (facial hair a dead giveaway I think) from his forum picture. Chili started introducing me to loads of Blondites and I started to wonder how I’d remember all these names when tight end produced a tag with my name on it brilliant! No more worries there.
We then made our way over to the card area; I have only met Tikay briefly but obviously new a lot about him through Chili who holds him in very high regard as he has provided her with inspiration and support since joining blonde. Anyway true to form he gave us both the warmest of welcomes and I instantly felt at ease in his company, he showed us where to sign in so off we went.
I think it started to sink in then that I was about to play in a proper tournament and seeing all the tables etc I became quite excited.
Chili then introduced me to Jammer and his lovely girlfriend Arion (I think sorry), also Snoopy who I had heard a lot about, had an interesting chat with him later on about him turning pro.
Anyway we were called to the table I found out which table I was on and made my way over, I wrongly assumed it was like online and I could sit where I liked. Ironside put me straight and I went back to find out my seat number.
So I sat down, to my right was Sausage quiet guy who was unwilling to tell us his name much to Ironside’s disappointment, then Cov Boy (I think) dealer , Bongo (very colourful character) , Ironside funny guy, Mrs Red another beginner but very nice women indeed, then London poker girl who was on her 16th Vodka and Red bull and was happily chatting up and embarrassing the dealer..top girl, a sound guy from Yorkshire sorry cannot remember your name and another guy who was replaced by Rooky9 who I had some good chats with throughout the evening.Look forward to meeting you again mate.
Anyway I think Bongo took the first hand, a couple more went down and I played a strong hand with a heart beating like a jack hammer and won the pot, I could enjoy this I thought.
The game progressed I was doing ok picking up a few chips on the way. We had a break then shortly after I got moved to Chili’s Table sitting next to the cool customer Jen who I also new a bit about thru Chili. Chili was annoyed as well coz I had more chips than her.
After a while we had a break , I spotted top pro Dave C so I decided to take the liberty of asking his advice about my situation, he advised me to play tight if I had more than 10 x the BB or loose if less. When I got back to the table I took his advice and went in against AA with A3 hitting trips on the river ….few….Dave C saw this and smiled , thankyou again Dave. Jen knocked Chili although I don’t think she minded as the booze was flowing along with her chat.
Scottish Dave joined our table and was very entertaining and vocal which I enjoyed, Gabrile joined us and started winning pots, along with see you in the Final Tom (we kept saying it to each other and I’m sure he did not believe it coz I know I didn’t).Hope to see you again soon mate.
The action progressed and my red wine was flowing now (thankyou Tracy for assistance hear)
which helped suppress my nerves when I got moved over to Simon Trumpers table. Who I have watched on TV many times and hold in very high regard. It was fascinating watching him analyze the situation and build a pretty big stack from next to nothing. I did ask him on the break what he was weighing up to which he kindly explained about odds of the cards and people chip counts etc, not sure I completely understand but oneday I will I hope ;-)
So I still don’t know how it happened and im still buzzing but we got down to the final ten !! At which point my adrenalin really kicked in, and I was sat next to one of the the worlds top players in ACES and opposite Action jack ….SHEEESH am I dreaming? Tikay offered some words of support and the action commenced. Cant remember too much just seeing two sevens in my hand having my raised called by ACES me going all in and ACES calling me with A 9 needless to say he hit and I was out seventh !! I was not too disappointed to get knocked out by him though really. He also said to Chili I should have gone all in straight away and he would have folded…I will try to remember next time.
Got interviewed by the lovely Rowena after that have not got a clue what I said though as I was on cloud 9, Dewi offered some word of advice and said I would still be awake at six buzzing….you were right mate.
So I headed for the bar which was shut!! Gutted I really needed a drink ah well went off chatting to people had a good chat with Heid …and watched the rest of the final great to see the two pros heads up. When it finished we headed back to the Marriot and luckily for me the bar was open.
I met up with Rob Young who was even more oiled than when he sat down at our table earlier and went in with everything, pleasure to meet you though Rob see you in Notts.
And also the handsome Simon Nowab who im sure took a shine to me ;-) I may be wrong though I was quite drunk ! Both him and Rob had me in fits of laughter in between saying I looked like Ashley from Coronation Street or Owen Wilson from Starsky and hutch .
The evening ended with us sat down at breakfast at 7.00am, the diners where as follows Tikay, Royal Flush, Ginger, Simon, Chili , Robert who was the only one talking the most sense, Bongo, Jo, Dave and the Scottish clan who were actually staying at the thistle, and dining at the expense of Ironside who was tucked up in bed.lol oh and not forgetting the incredibly funny Colchester Kev !!
I am still buzzing about last night, I had a fantastic time and met a lot of great people to add to the bargain
I guess this is the beginning of my poker journey……..
I would extend my warmest thanks to all you blondites you belong to something quite special I never realized so many sound people could be in the same room at one time, it was an honour and I look forward to becoming part of blonde
THANKYOU ALL and appologies if I missed anyone Im wacked !! 
xxx
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