Life's Luck. Random Thoughts.

[Tommy Bingham]

Had a two shots at the Grand Prix this week online. Got coolered early on in the first and grinded it out with no success. Then came 17th with top 15 making it though. It wasn't an issue to get busted this late, as for several levels I had a 10-20bb stack that I couldn't get out of. Finishing 17th just outside the 10% threshold gets me a free shot and token for it again, which I though is a nice little touch by DTD. I will be playing on Saturday live as I my online game certainly needs tweaking.

Warm ups and Routines.

Footballers will always warm up for a game, stretch and do exercises wether it be a cup final or friendly. Do poker players too? I find this is something we don't really talk about.
I am not the fittest and to be honest, pretty out of shape at the minute and have been for a while. I eat pretty badly, do little/no exercise and smoke over 20 cigarettes a day. Which is terrible really.
So.. this weekend I am going to have a jog (first one in over a year) before the travel down to Nottingham and drink alot of water while playing. Really get my head into the game again. I'm 25 and struggle at Level 10-11 with terrible pains in my legs. If you ever see me late on, I often am standing up, stretching staring into the abyss. So going to sit correctly and get comfortable.

How to you prepare for a tournament? What do you do that you feel really works? What do you always do before you even leave your home to play? Wear odd socks? Have a Nandos? Go for a run?
What's your routines for the perfect 'run-good'?

 

[VBlue]

I think pre-game routine, live or online, is key to preparation.  As you have identified, other sports people - amateur or pro - always have some sort of pre-game routine.  Imagine a footballer just turning up,puttig his kit on and running out for kick-off - no stretching, no drills, no pre-match talk.  Sounds pretty redic right?

Jared Tendler covers the Process Model and pre-game routine is the start of this.  He suggests somthing like this:

Preparation
 
15 minutes pre-game warm up and preparation:
 
1.Review short-term and long-term goals. The session is about playing poker. Remind yourself why you are playing and what your successes will look like
2.Review my A game, B game, and C game. Cut out the mistakes of the C game and instead focus on the elements that make up my A game
3.Make any session goals I want, in line with my current game analysis and coaching
4.Review any coaching notes or hand history feedback that is relevant to the improvements I am working on currently or my session goals
5.Prepare drinks, snacks, and session music
6.Inspire the coming session with a favourite piece of music, short video, or reading some quotes
 

[david3103]

I always stop off at Woodall Services en route for a mug of Starbucks Pike Place coffee and try to arrive in time for a pre tourney smoke.

Last year, on the Sunday morning I was up early and in the M&S at Donnington when a young lad came in asking if anybody knew a reliable taxi firm that would fetch him and take him down the M42 to where his car was. He'd run out of petrol and spent a couple of hours getting to the services to get a can and fuel.
Having nothing better to do for the next few hours I gave him a lift. It wasn't much more than a 20mile round trip and felt like the right thing to do. I turned down his offer of payment and just said that when he next got the opportunity to help someone out he should take it.
I don't believe in superstitions nor in Karma, but maybe there's something in doing a good turn that sets your mind in the right state.

I say I don't believe in superstitions, but I do always have to have my chips turned the same way with the DTD logo on top. That's actually upside down ( by the writing round the edge) but it works for me.

[aaron1867]

I always stop off at Woodall Services en route for a mug of Starbucks Pike Place coffee and try to arrive in time for a pre tourney smoke.

Last year, on the Sunday morning I was up early and in the M&S at Donnington when a young lad came in asking if anybody knew a reliable taxi firm that would fetch him and take him down the M42 to where his car was. He'd run out of petrol and spent a couple of hours getting to the services to get a can and fuel.
Having nothing better to do for the next few hours I gave him a lift. It wasn't much more than a 20mile round trip and felt like the right thing to do. I turned down his offer of payment and just said that when he next got the opportunity to help someone out he should take it.
I don't believe in superstitions nor in Karma, but maybe there's something in doing a good turn that sets your mind in the right state.

I say I don't believe in superstitions, but I do always have to have my chips turned the same way with the DTD logo on top. That's actually upside down ( by the writing round the edge) but it works for me.

You should write a diary!

[Tommy Bingham]

I always stop off at Woodall Services en route for a mug of Starbucks Pike Place coffee and try to arrive in time for a pre tourney smoke.

Last year, on the Sunday morning I was up early and in the M&S at Donnington when a young lad came in asking if anybody knew a reliable taxi firm that would fetch him and take him down the M42 to where his car was. He'd run out of petrol and spent a couple of hours getting to the services to get a can and fuel.
Having nothing better to do for the next few hours I gave him a lift. It wasn't much more than a 20mile round trip and felt like the right thing to do. I turned down his offer of payment and just said that when he next got the opportunity to help someone out he should take it.
I don't believe in superstitions nor in Karma, but maybe there's something in doing a good turn that sets your mind in the right state.

I say I don't believe in superstitions, but I do always have to have my chips turned the same way with the DTD logo on top. That's actually upside down ( by the writing round the edge) but it works for me.

Yep, I  know of a few people that 1) Clean there chips on the felt before play, and 2) Make sure the logo is facing the ceiling. I have never done any of these, but to be fair in the local cash game there is one damaged chip with a chunk out of it. I always like to keep that.

[bobAlike]

I always stop off at Woodall Services en route for a mug of Starbucks Pike Place coffee and try to arrive in time for a pre tourney smoke.

Last year, on the Sunday morning I was up early and in the M&S at Donnington when a young lad came in asking if anybody knew a reliable taxi firm that would fetch him and take him down the M42 to where his car was. He'd run out of petrol and spent a couple of hours getting to the services to get a can and fuel.
Having nothing better to do for the next few hours I gave him a lift. It wasn't much more than a 20mile round trip and felt like the right thing to do. I turned down his offer of payment and just said that when he next got the opportunity to help someone out he should take it.
I don't believe in superstitions nor in Karma, but maybe there's something in doing a good turn that sets your mind in the right state.

I say I don't believe in superstitions, but I do always have to have my chips turned the same way with the DTD logo on top. That's actually upside down ( by the writing round the edge) but it works for me.

Yep, I  know of a few people that 1) Clean there chips on the felt before play, and 2) Make sure the logo is facing the ceiling. I have never done any of these, but to be fair in the local cash game there is one damaged chip with a chunk out of it. I always like to keep that.

I have to get rid of the broken chips asap. Really tilts me and I don't even suffer from OCD.

[flushthemout]

I always park in the same spot at dtd, always get there an hour before doors open, i wear the same pair of England Football socks for poker nights

[Tommy Bingham]

I always park in the same spot at dtd, always get there an hour before doors open, i wear the same pair of England Football socks for poker nights

I do always wear odd socks every morning and do not turn them the correct way. Bit weird.
England Socks, brilliant. I use to have a thing about my hat. My hat was originally black, it is now a worn dirty brown and smells pretty bad tbh. This weekend, a fella did say he didn't reconize me without it on.

[Tommy Bingham]

No deep run in the Grand Prix live this weekend. Really happy with how I played tho. Stacked up early to 50k after 2 levels. Then lost two key 20k+ pots, first with 44 on a 8 4 2 10 9 board, where I check call river and the guy back doors the nuts with JQo. Then 88 on a 8 high board and couldn't hold vs flush draw.. Finally at 300/600 get the rest in vs a mad Russian with AKcc vs 77 where the board ran out K7J2K. Was nice to speak to a few guys from Blonde and also some guys that had never been to DTD before, so really enjoyed it even tho it was not a Day 2. Didn't wear my Hat and probably punished because of that I recon.

[Sulphur man]

Great read Tommy shared a tough table with you a few months back enjoyed a quality leveling war with you after
our pre meta game Nando's. Had been wanting to post something similar recently although it would not have come across as
eloquently as the op here.

Guess what you're post points towards is the amount of good people we have the pleasure to play poker against. And even though
the game is played with the sole intention of winning money the vast majority of players treat one another with respect that is hardly ever
seen in the wider world.

Will keep a keen eye out here very much enjoy Belton's diary so good to add yet another.
Lets hope you don't win the world become souless and turn this into one endless balla brag hey?.

[Tommy Bingham]

Great read Tommy shared a tough table with you a few months back enjoyed a quality leveling war with you after
our pre meta game Nando's. Had been wanting to post something similar recently although it would not have come across as
eloquently as the op here.

Guess what you're post points towards is the amount of good people we have the pleasure to play poker against. And even though
the game is played with the sole intention of winning money the vast majority of players treat one another with respect that is hardly ever
seen in the wider world.

Will keep a keen eye out here very much enjoy Belton's diary so good to add yet another.
Lets hope you don't win the world become souless and turn this into one endless balla brag hey?.

Yes mate, I remember. I don't often 6 bet fold lol. Pleasure as always.

[Leatherman]

 

[Tommy Bingham]

As I mentioned in my opening post, I did not want this to be a diary as such with hand histories purely as I knew my content would be pretty inconsistent as I no longer put in the hours I use to. Really wanted people themselves to get on board and make this their own as interest in it has been really positive. I no longer put in the hours i use to, as I currently own Window Business in the Cambridge area and spend the majority of time doing this. So struggle updating this as much as I would like, purely as Double Glazing is not the most interesting subject to discuss!

I did just want to say how awesome is was for people to ask 'Are you Tommy?' and explain how much they enjoyed the post(s) and comment on their thoughts. Had a load of people make points and talk to me about it, which is pretty amazing. I had a meeting in Mansfield yesterday and had to pick up some bits and bobs from our manufactures and decided to pop along to play the Six Max at DTD. Beforehand tho, (plug..) popped in to Sue's Fish Bar in Mansfield and had Fish and Chips. Honestly, the best fish and chips I have ever had, awesome service to, as Franky loves it. Couldn't advertise it enough as it honestly was damn good. So pop in if your about!

[Tommy Bingham]

Got to DTD early, with a welcome from Matt 'It's not Saturday dude, what are you doing here?' I was asked to be the bounty a while back in the Beginners comp and decided to give it a go this time.

Awesome.
Learn't a bit and thoroughly enjoyed it! Chipped up early then checked in the BB with 37 and lost on a 337 flop when he turned an Ace ball.. Then A9s on a A2499 board. Both times they had aces!!! They both limped to, trapped me.. was really fun to talk to some guys about how often they play, where they play and where they come from. I see myself 10 years ago wanting something like this. To play in a club! I think it is brilliant that DTD do this torney, as 5 of the 8 on my table were not from Nottingham. All 30 minutes plus away. And to see people laughing and cheering about winning brings it all back about how fun it actually is. Would defiantly do it again and if anyone gets asked, do it. Really fun.

I will be about this weekend playing the Mega Sat on Saturday and playing the following week in the Monte Carlo.
Got a last longer team ( http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=60823.0 ), which is a brilliant idea. Me, Liam Batey, Jack Allen and Tim Chung. Some of the teams involved are pretty awesome, so interesting to see how it turns out! Feeling good for the Monte Carlo, I believe I am playing better than I ever have at the minute grinding it out. Good feeling.

[YEAHMAN123]

i had the pleasure of meeting/playing next to you last night tommy. you told me about your diary and ive read it.
like many have said a great read and you came across so nice on table i enjoy banter/talk in poker if that isnt there then its not interesting for me either.
your outlook in poker and life is cool im glad i met you im trying to meet more blondes live at dtd i think its fantastic like you say, bringing people from all walks of life together

looking back on our table having this guy across from us,leaking chips then getting them back, playing strange and winning, we were both thinking 'plsssss gimme a hand'lol, and guess what???! he got a seat too lol. like you said to me 'look at him!?, look how happy he is? just sitting there playing his game,enjoying the moment' its one thing i dont think about enough and one of my faults not considering others and thinking about other players and there outlook on the game and what they want from it or expect from it. he never once said anything with a attitude looking back did he?lol

anyways it was fantastic to meet you Tommy and i hope we meet again at dtd YEAHMAN!!