A New Year Message

Dont Drink and Drink, therefore give up driving.

The monthly poker accounts are complete. £170 profit for the month and £541 since records began. I must subtract the 32 quid I spent on PokerTracker for some reason. I have just a little over £900 in the Bankroll which I would like get over a grand soon.

Happy New Year.

A Freeroll is not Just for Xmas

Whilst playing yet another freeroll last night, I was thinking and wondering why these companies/magazines/poker sites would give away so much free cash away. I have taken at least $100 in the last week for absolutely no investment- I have not even had to deposit any cash to play in these games. Oh well the marketing men know what they are doing.

The game last night was coutesy of Inside Edge magazine, and there was only 63 players entered for a $1000 fund. Managed to sneak into the money and finish in 8th for about $70. Also played a bit of cash ($25 buy in .10/.25 blinds PL) on Partypoker and managed to turn $25 into $45, so not a bad night.

Looking forward now to New Years Eve, not for the piss ups but for the fact that there are even more freerolls to be had. I have also just downloaded Poker Tracker so I need to get my head round exactly what the fish symbol next to my name means. Only joking, its a telephone really (calling station, presumably hmmmm).

Played the Betfair €50 Bonus and the £2 MTT this morning at 9am, but nothing doing, so I think I will play a bit more cash at Partypoker.

OMG I am turning into JackHigh!!!

2 Hand Histories in a row...

PokerStars Game #3461737707: Tournament #16058829, Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (200/400) - 2005/12/28 - 17:01:17 (ET)
Table '16058829 30' Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: Eugne Ius (20957 in chips)
Seat 2: bobb1e (11968 in chips)
Seat 3: aman423 (11072 in chips)
Seat 4: claret69 (17593 in chips)
Seat 5: 3xBB (18170 in chips) this is me, class nickname eh?
Seat 6: S.O.A.D.05 (18485 in chips)
Seat 7: Janzinho (9890 in chips)
Seat 8: L-Money 13 (8895 in chips)
Eugne Ius: posts the ante 25
bobb1e: posts the ante 25
aman423: posts the ante 25
claret69: posts the ante 25
3xBB: posts the ante 25
S.O.A.D.05: posts the ante 25
Janzinho: posts the ante 25
L-Money 13: posts the ante 25
Janzinho: posts small blind 200
L-Money 13: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to 3xBB [Kh Kc]
Eugne Ius: raises 800 to 1200
bobb1e: folds
aman423: folds
claret69: raises 800 to 2000
3xBB: raises 2000 to 4000
S.O.A.D.05: folds
S.O.A.D.05 is sitting out
Janzinho: folds
L-Money 13: folds
Eugne Ius: folds
claret69: raises 2000 to 6000
3xBB: raises 10000 to 16000
claret69: raises 1568 to 17568 and is all-in
3xBB: calls 1568
Eugne Ius said, "aj" so i have KK v JJ and one of the other two Js has already been folded, bonus!
*** FLOP *** [3d 3h Jc] Ahhhhhhh!
Eugne Ius said, "wow" bit of an understatement mate
3xBB said, "ffs"
*** TURN *** [3d 3h Jc] [4d]
Eugne Ius said, "last jack comes"
*** RIVER *** [3d 3h Jc 4d] [9d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
claret69: shows [Js Jd] (a full house, Jacks full of Threes)
3xBB: shows [Kh Kc] (two pair, Kings and Threes)
claret69 collected 37136 from pot
Eugne Ius said, "no joke either had the j"
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 37136 Rake 0 Board [3d 3h Jc 4d 9d]
Seat 1: Eugne Ius folded before Flop
Seat 2: bobb1e folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: aman423 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: claret69 showed [Js Jd] and won (37136) with a full house, Jacks full of Threes
Seat 5: 3xBB showed [Kh Kc] and lost with two pair, Kings and Threes
Seat6: S.O.A.D.05 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: Janzinho (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 8: L-Money 13 (big blind) folded before Flop

So i was out in 79th (out of 500) for $2.40, I was in 6th before this hand, and the winner went on to play a headsup challenge against some bloke called Joe Hatchem...

claret had been raising wildly for about half and hour with A Rag and any two pictures so I was well happy to go into this massive pot against him.

But hey, thats poker as the usual wag says at the table when you lose a pot like this.

Xmas Comes Early

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hand #160368874 at table: Xmas Eve FreerollStarted: Sat Dec 24 20:54:16 2005
Fecco1 is at seat 1 with 2140.00
Manatus is at seat 2 with 19970.00
ajcairns is at seat 3 with 9715.00
Laca6106 is at seat 4 with 4570.00
Petroo is at seat 5 with 14230.00
martta2 is at seat 6 with 21371.00
studley is at seat 7 with 225.00
muy is at seat 8 with 5110.00
sm0kee is at seat 10 with 4500.00
Fecco1 posts the large blind 400.00
sm0kee posts the small blind 200.00
sm0kee: --, --
Fecco1: --, --
Manatus: --, --
ajcairns: Ad, Ah
Laca6106: --, --
Petroo: --, --
martta2: --, --
studley: --, --
muy: --, --
Pre-flop:
Manatus: Call 400.00
ajcairns: Raise 1200.00 (note: 3 times the big blind, feel the power)
Laca6106: Call 1200.00
Petroo: Call 1200.00
martta2: Fold
studley: Fold
muy: Fold
sm0kee: Fold
Fecco1: Fold
Manatus: All in
ajcairns: All in
Laca6106: All in
Petroo: Fold
Showdown:
Manatus shows: Ks, Ac (high card, Ace)
ajcairns shows: Ad, Ah (a pair of Aces)
Laca6106 shows: 2d, 2c (a pair of Deuces)
Flop (Board: 3s, 5d, Kd):
Turn (Board: 3s, 5d, Kd, As):
River (Board: 3s, 5d, Kd, As, 3h):
ajcairns shows: Ad, Ah (full house)
Sidepot 2: ajcairns wins the pot of 10290 with full house
Mainpot: ajcairns wins the pot of 15510 with full house

Live by the River...

...and die by the river. Was playing the ladbrokes freeroll for a share in a racehorse tonight for something to do. 1198 entrants for one prize is a bit harsh, but that is life in this strange world I compete in. Easily got up to about 11k in chips and got down to the business end fairly quickly. Less than one hundred left, I am a little on the short stacked side so decide to go all in with Ac 10c for my last 11k, on the button with one limper who had 14k. The SB and BB fold and the limper dwells and calls with A9os. All going well until the 9 comes on the river. Out. The three hours I had spent playing were not totally wasted though as I cash in the Bankroll Booster on Blue Square and also watched the premiere of Layer Cake on Sky Movies which was half decent.

This will probably be the last update before Xmas, although there is still much poker to be played with some excellent deals out there. Merry Chrimbo BlogGod, and PokerGod, and to you, all the listeners out there, may the force be with you.

You Cant Bluff a Muppet

When I say muppet I mean an 11 year old kid. I have been passing on my poker wisdom to my eldest two sons. My work is done, as we played a game today with a 10k starting stack, slow blinds etc, all the hallmarks of a proper game. came 3rd of 3, getting seen off each time I tried to pull a move on one of them. They would call and hit something on the turn or the river. It kind of made their day to see me go out first as its the first time I have not won. Still it beats work.

Got two weeks off over the festive period and with the wife working long hours it will give me ample opportunity to play a lot. Started by playing the €50 Bonus on betfair this morning, coming just outside the money in 7th. Oh and I took down the flashmob game on betfair on Sunday night, which as always was a quality game.

On the move

Just realised I hadn't updated for a few days, sorry blog god I shall not forget you again. But I have had a few Xmas doos.

Moving jobs and consequently moving house next year for definite now. Moving from the affluent south, to just outside the metropolis that is Kings Lynn. If anyone is that way inclined I will be working in the vicinity of Grid reference TF729083 (GB Grid). Once you find out what is there you will realise what I do.

On the poker front I have had a half decent week, still making a small profit, including a second in the 50 euro bonus on betfair this afternoon. Played in the Punterlounge.com (that's Punterlounge.com, see the link opposite) Betfair £2000 freeroll tonight. Now, 69 players in a 2 grand freeroll sounds like heaven, but these are canny players and I never got a look in. I had previously entered the Sporting Odds Safety Net freeroll at 7pm and was going well (massive chip leader) by 8:30pm when the big one started. Did not a lot in the Betfair gig, until I had 700 chips left, when I got caught by the dreaded table pop up, that I i clicked elsewhere had me betting 600 chips (blinds 50/100ish) with 56o over Gazblades raise. He readily put me all in for the 100 remaining chips. I flopped pair and caught trips on the turn. Much "LOL"ing all around saw Gaz hit the flush on the river and me watching the X Factor final. Still, I had the SO freeroll to keep me busy which I managed to scrape 3rd in for about 30 bucks.

How could I forget to mention the 3-1 thrashing of the mighty (European champions) forest on Friday night. They must be sheeeeite.

Higher Stakes, Higher Quality?

Had a frustrating day, badly timing taking people on and losing. So I went against all the rules and entered a higher stakes game. Using some of the 300 bucks I won in their inaugural freerolls the other week I entered a $30 stt on Virgin Poker. Immediately I felt that my game was suited compared to how the other players were playing at the table who seemed intent on betting into any pot regardless of their hand. I sat back and waited for the right hand and as they came, a quick check raise seemed to do the trick. 1st Prize $150, thanks very much.

So I ask the question is the quality higher the further you go up the stakes ladder, or is my game suited to it and I am part of that higher quality? $500 stt anyone?

On the Wane

I noted a few days ago, that after a very good month like last it would more than likely be a poor one this month. Well, I have cashed in the Blue Square Bankroll Booster a couple of times this week, but other than that nowt. I am wondering if my penchant for freeroll and cheapo buy ins is beginning to affect my game and therefore I am going to try and multiply some of my existing profits with some stt's and mtt's. Will report in later.

Playing live in Didcot on Sunday with Gaz, over 100 runners in a 10 quid rebuy. Will be a fun afternoon out on the wifes birthday (oops).

If England dont get out of that group in the World Cup next year, Eriksson should be taken outside and shot...

Well and truly Flashmobbed

5th in the Flashmob tonight (paid top 3), got a bit short stacked (1300 blinds 150/300) and needed to go for it eventually. Dealt A5o, so I thought I would chance my arm once MCRoller (tightest man in the west) had raised 3xbb (cheeky sod), hoping he didnt have a pair or and Ace with a kicker. Damn me but next to speak was miniman who reraised all in for about 3k. I now realise I am in a bit of bother. MCRoller (tightest man in the west) folds, donates his 900 chips and makes himself scarce and miniman flips over two cowboys. Needless to say the Ace doesnt come and I'm left watching I'm a Celebrity.

Big shout out to flashmobber MiltonBadley (aka harayir) who managed 3rd in the BFSanta Shopping Spree thingy dropping a few quid and trip to New York with a grand spending money.

I see Chelsea have sidestepped Scunny in the third round of cup. Instead we've drawn Man City who won 5-2 away in the premiership this afternoon. Easy Easy Easy.

STT Mania

Played 12 stt's on Betfair this afternoon, won 2, second once, and third twice to turn a (very) small profit. I also won a seat in their 10K guaranteed tourney later tonight, coming in the top 6 of a 67 player MTT, so look out for me finishing last in the big boys game later (update: came 71st out of 300+ players. After pissing away half my stack trying to do someone who bet into a dead pot, one of my pet hates, I was always struggling)

Sporting Odds Safety net, and the Blue Square Bankroll Booster are warm up acts this evening.

Scunny won in the FA Cup away to Aldershot, should have gone, but I stayed in and played poker. Bring on a return match v Chelsea, we will take them this time.

The Company Accounts

The best single month so far, £270 quid up for the month, which for a freeroller/five quid merchant aint so bad I think. Oh, yes stick a 130 quid iPod Nano onto that too. I am playing the best poker ever, so expect a loss next month.

Playing live next weekend in a £10 rebuy, as much as I enjoy playing online, you just cant beat the real thing. Also got to fit in our usual monthly kitchen game, when I normal fleece the boys from work. One slight problem is that its my works xmas doo the night we are usually play, best check the diary for an alternative - i wonder if we could do the xmas thing another time?

Having a weekend of stt action this weekend, with the 5k freeroll at Bet365 plus a couple of other usuals. Guinness is in the fridge, bring on the weekend!

Nano Nano

iPod Nano arrived today and I have just realized how old I am getting when I find that I cant work it out without using the instructions. What is happening to me?

I won the Nano last week on Sporting Odds, who also kindly sent me a Team Sporting Odds Poker shirt. Its a proper shirt with fancy embroidery on it. I seriously doubt I will ever wear it, but it was nice of them to send me it anyway.

Made the money in the Sporting Odds Freeroll, but went out of their Dollar Up mtt just before the money. Ah well, up for the day overall, cant complain, and anyway I got a free iPod Nano.

Will do my end of month count up tomorrow to see how I am doing.