GiMac - I'd Rather Be Lucky Than Good

Good run of beats continues

2010-03-12T05:11:00.000-08:00

Following the nasty beats on Thursday, I decided to play the £15 one rebuy or add on the following night at The Circus Casino in Newcastle. After all I was happy with the way I was playing and surely my big hands and ability to induce the fish to call me when behind would pay off eventually, right?

Was a pretty uneventfull tournament if I am completely honest, I had been pretty much on cruise control, no major hands. Only really got short once, when it folded to me in SB and I shoved with K 10 only for BB to wake up with AJ, I spike the 10 and was back in the race. Anyway, with 13 players left, nearing the bubble, blinds are 600/1200 and I have 18k in chips there is about 400k chips in play so, although not desperate, a double up would be nice to take to the final table.

Then this happens. UTG limps, which generally means one of two things he either has shit or a monster and not much in between. the next guy to act raises to 6k, I look down at AA, now was my chance. I hollywood for a bit, pointing out that the UTG limper and UTG+1 raiser must have monsters, before I "reluctantly" push my chips over the line and go all in. Then the next guy to act, who is a complete fish, goes into the tank!!! Wow he must have a marginal I think. After about 30secs I say to him "If you have to think this long you are well behind", this is the nudge he needed to call me and his chips go in too. UTG folds, so he had shit after all, and the original raiser says oh well I'll gamble with his 44. I table my AA and the other guy tables 1010. Now at this point I am happy although I'd rather be up against one player, but god knows what the guy with 1010 thinks he is doing with that much action before him, at ABSOLUTE best he is racing and is likely to be miles behind. Of course poker rarely rewards great play and the fish binks his 10 on the flop, and I hit the rail again.

Now I've played poker long enough to take beats and move on, but when will the poker gods decide that it's my time? In the meantime I'll stick with the title of my blog I'D RATHER BE LUCKY THAN GOOD!!!!!

Aspers new card room

2010-03-05T07:09:00.001-08:00

Ok so went to Aspers, Newcastle new card room. Having only played live once this year so far, was refreshing to journey away from the computer screen for an evening to play the £30 freezeout. I have to say the new card room is a vast improvement on the old set up and a much nicer environment to play in.

So to the tournament. £30 buy in, 7000 chips, with a decent structure. I think it ended up about 57 runners, with first prize just shy of £600. Anyway I don't play a hand for the first round and use this as an opportunity to size up the players at the table. Only one playerI know at the table, my NPF chum Gaz Walker, the rest were unknowns but it became apparent that they were all fairly novice players.

During the 2nd round, guy 3 off button raises to 450, with blinds at 25/50. Huge raise and I look down at KK. I decide to keep pot small and slow play them and call, BB calls too. Q high flop, i think is right in their range, so i check, BB checks and the expected C-Bet doesn't come as raiser checks too, ok so he has an A i thnk. Turn blanks and i lead out for 700, BB calls possibly on flush draw and raiser folds. River the horrible A, i bet 700 again, Bb flats me and shows QJ so I scoop pot.

Next round I look down at AA utg, blinds now 50/100 i have 8500. I limp. UTG+1 raises to 600, and it folds round to SB who calls. I re-raise to 2100, which causes the original raiser to fold his 88. The SB who seems a bit full of himself announces that he only has 3500 (35xBB) behind so needs to gamble and shove all in. Of course I snap call and show AA, SB shows Qd10d. Turn gives him flush on a paired board and I blank river to lose half my stack. No biggie just a bad beat, and I still have 40+xBB, so easily well in it.

3 hands later, guy 2 off button raises to 300, I look down at KK and re-pop him to 900. He thinks for a while and calls. Flop comes down 10 high with 2 clubs. I decide if he checks I am shoving, as I am happy to take it there and then and don't want a scary club shutting down my action on the turn. Sure enough he checks and i shove. He tanks and eventually calls with 77. Turn card comes 7 and I am heading out of the door having played 3 hands KK, AA and KK.

In the short term obviously gutted to get bad beats in this way, but in the long term I know I will benefit from these sorts of player, which is why playing poker is clearly a game of skill, but I'd still rather be lucky than good.

Update

2010-01-18T01:56:00.000-08:00

Ok well the new challenege is under way, and it's gonna be harder than I thought. Over 17k hands in and I am breaking even. The standard of play at NL2 is just yuck. It just appears to be full of people who want to chuck $1-$2 onto the table and let it spin. Now this is fair enough, and is probably what I want, but I haven't been getting my fair share of luck. In fact if it wasn't for skill I would be massively down, as I am sitting somewhere in the region of 1000xBB behind EV, yet still managing to break even. Now hopefully when variance swings back in my direction this will help me move up a level, but it might be a while yet. I'll keep you posted.

As for the PokerStars WBCOOP, although I sent in my regsitration over a week ago, they haven't bothered replying to me yet, so unless they are quick I might just have other plans.

WBCOOP 2010

2010-01-10T18:11:00.000-08:00

I have registered to play in the PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker! This PokerStars tournament is a No Limit Texas Hold’em event exclusive to Bloggers, you too can take part by registering on WBCOOP

Registration code: 758183

2009 Review and What's new for 2010

2010-01-10T17:55:00.000-08:00

Well 2009 was a tough year, not only for business but also for poker. I made a reasonable return for the year, but boy oh boy was it hard work, as I ran like cr@p. Tournament play ended up the year over 2million chips behind EV, but still managed to return a profit. As for my bankroll experiment ended up turning my $50 into $2479, so wasn't the worst result in the world. Since work doesn't seem like showing any massive upturn for 2010, I am probably going to have to restrict my play to similar sorts of activities, i.e. local small buy in tournies and a new experiment.

2010 I have started a new bankroll experiment. Starting with $50, playing NL2, able to move to next level when have 25 buy ins and must move down when drop to 15 buy ins. This should be fun and we will see how far we can get up the ladder.

Anyway, Happy New Year to you all, best of luck for 2010 and good riddance to 2009!!!!

Bankroll Experiment Update

2009-11-10T06:38:00.000-08:00

Been a swinging month with roll dropping as low as $1900 and peaking at $2600. This was to be expected as I decided not to change my strategy and play more MTT's now than sit and goes, as I think my roll can take the higher variance now. Although still choosing my games carefully to maximise edge. Didn't play much cash this month, so might head back there and try my luck. We'll see.

Buyins $21909.89
Total Profit $2338.24
Games 1875 (includes cash sessions)
ITM 578
ROI 11%

Bankroll Experiment Update

2009-10-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

Well this has been fun if nothing else. Had my roll up to $2800 at one point then went on an horrendous bad run. Had to drop down levels etc and bottomed out at around the $700 mark. I put this down to playing more MTT's, where the variance is that much higher. So am now only playing 90 player max SNG's and PLO Cash. Doing this I have managed to claw my way back up and now sitting in situation shown below.

Buyins $19293.17
Total Profit $2109.96
Games 1725 (includes cash sessions)
ITM 536
ROI 11%

Onwards and upwards!!!

Live Poker Sunday

2009-07-13T03:34:00.000-07:00

Went up to Newcastle to play in a Team Poker Event for The Radgies.

Another very well ran event by Circus Casino, Newcastle, well done guys!!!

Atmosphere was great as was the spirit in how the game was played. So congrats to all that played too.

As for myself had a great day, but unfortunately managed to get myself knocked out early on, no bad beats, just cr@p play by me.

But fate works in mysterious ways, ran over to Aspers for the $75 game and ended up chopping it 3 ways with Hammed and Lynn (Beaumont).

Returned to Circus for aftermath, and found out Stevie's Team had won the event with Imi finishing 2nd, well done guys!!!

Sat at cash table with $45, 1st hand pick up 10 10 and limp mid pos, drunk guy on button raises, drunk woman in BB calls, I push, BB calls with 89 and hits 2pr. She has about $500 in front of her and has obviously been hitting everything. I ask dealer what max sit down is he says no max, so I pull up $500. Russ "The Suit" sitting with about $30 leaves 2 hands later, cos he can see there is gonna be carnage. Needless to say 2 hours later most of both the drunks money is in front of me and I head over to the G where I take a tidy $200 profit from the cash table there too.

$1000+ profit on day and some great fun too, as we say in Scotland, ye canny beat it!!!! :-)

PokerSpace

2009-06-17T06:10:00.000-07:00

A quick shout out to everyone to let them be aware of a really cool poker site.

If you are looking for a site which has a community feel, freerolls, good rakeback deals, a great site reward scheme, team and individual leagues, as well as a cool forum, then check out this link http://www.pokerspace.com/?u=GiMac

Don't accept poor customer service!!!

2009-06-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

This just goes to show that you should never accept the bland excuses given by customer services. fight for wht you think is right and you shall receive!!!

General Info
Chat start time Jun 12, 2009 12:34:56 PM EST
Chat end time Jun 12, 2009 1:47:59 PM EST
Duration (actual chatting time) 01:13:03
Operator Benjamin Boyd

Chat Transcript
info: Please wait for a site operator to respond. You are currently customer 1 in queue. Thank you for your patience.
info: Hello, my name is Jennifer Doyle. How may I help you today?
You: Hi Jennifer
Jennifer Doyle: Hello Gordon.
Jennifer Doyle: Please bear with me for a moment while I look into this...
You: i requested a withdrawal from my account a coupe of days ago. I have just got a message fro yourselves saying that the verification process for withdrawing has been complete and it has been passed for processing. However, it then goes on to say that it will take 2-3 weeks to process check/gift card withdrawals, but I requested to withdraw to moneybookers. Can you please confirm how the funds will be sent?
Jennifer Doyle: The withdrawal was requested by MoneyBookers.
You: yes
Jennifer Doyle: The processingtime frame is taking 1-2 business weeks.
You: well thats not what it said when i req2uested the withdrawal?
You: it said up to 5 working days
You: I'm fairly new to your site
You: and most other sites only take up to 2-3 days max to withdraw to an e-wallet. 1-2 business weeks tbh is a bit of a joke.
Jennifer Doyle: After the process takes 24 hours for you receive the money into your MoneyBookers account.
You: i play some sites where its done within 2-3 hours!!!
You: why is it taking 1-2 weeks to process a withdrawal?
You: that quite frankly is ridiculous
Jennifer Doyle: I completely understand but that is our processing time frame that we have at the moment.
You: well that is not what was agreed
You: it said up to 5 working days
You: or would you prefer that I withdraw ALL my funds and go play elsewhere?
Jennifer Doyle: That is the time frame but normally this takes less of that time.
You: ok i dont think you understand what i am saying
You: no matter how many times you say " that is the timeframe"
You: it will not be acceptable
You: 1-2 weeks is ridiculous
You: and IS NOT what your SLA is to your players
You: i originally made the request over 5 days ago and already lost several days because your company asked for ID requirements which I submitted when depositing
You: so to then lose another 1-2 weeks is crazy
You: If the funds are not in my moneybookers account within the 5 business days that was the time indicated as the maximum to process this payment I will have no alternative other than to withdraw the rest of my funds and go elsewhere
You: p..s If you say that "this is the time frame", I'll leave on prinicple
Jennifer Doyle: I completely understand your frustration Gordon but that is the time frame that we offer at the moment and as I mentioned this can take less of that time.
You: right i warned you
You: you just lost a client#
You: ]not only that
You: but i am a respected poker journalist
You: and will make sure that EVRYONE that I know gets to know about your sites poor payout service
You: i am a repsected member of several poker forums and indeed run one myself
You: not only that but I right for plenty of poker magazines
You: if your site thinks that up to 3 weeks to process a withdrawal is acceptable you are dreaming
Jennifer Doyle: Please keep in mind that we depend on third party companies to process your withdrawal.
You: like every other poker site
You: i suggest that you ind a third party that can do the job
You: otherwise you will soon be out of one
You: i mean 3 weeks???
You: do you honestly think that is acceptable?
You: ??
Jennifer Doyle: As I mentioned, I completely understand but that is out of my hands because that is the time frame that we have.
You: what a joke
You: customer service?
You: yeah right
You: if your site does not have ALL my funds in moneybookers within the next 5 business days i'll have to place a sequestration order on your company
You: then we'll see how much you can help
You: that is MY timeframe
Jennifer Doyle: Actually this is one of our fasted methods that we offered; the check option takes 2-3 weeks.
You: lmao
Jennifer Doyle: Also if you want we can offer you the bank wire method.
You: probably takes 13 days
You: lol
Jennifer Doyle: This method takes 5-7 business days processing time instead of the 2-3 week timeframe that is currently being quoted on the site.
You: LMAO
You: you are joking
You: you must be
You: I know its friday but come on
Jennifer Doyle: No Gordon.
You: lol
Jennifer Doyle: If you wish to avail of this method, you need to provide at your earliest convenience with the full details as requested below.
Jennifer Doyle: - Bank name
Jennifer Doyle: - Bank's full address
Jennifer Doyle: - Swift Code/BIC- Your bank account number
Jennifer Doyle: - Type of bank account (Personal Checking, Personal Saving, and Business Checking)
Jennifer Doyle: - IBAN (European Banks) or any special instructions
Jennifer Doyle: - Copy of a voided check
You: i have told you what is required
You: you have 5 days to get ALL my funds in my moneybookers account
You: if the funds have not been received I suggest you start to look for a new job, because your company will not be able to access ANY funds to pay anyone, even your wages
You: because I will have them all froxen
You: *frozen
You: simple
Jennifer Doyle: I tried to give you another option but in this case you need to wait 1-2 weeks.
Jennifer Doyle: Please rest assured that you will be emailed with an update as soon as we are able to send your withdrawal.
You: you obviosuly are just ignoring what i have said
You: so this conversation is a waste of time
You: you have 5 days
You: tick tock
Jennifer Doyle: The processing time frame fro MoneyBookers is 1-2 weeks we try to process this before but I cannot guarantee anything Gordon.
You: you have 4 days 23 hours and 53 mins
You: tick tock
Jennifer Doyle: Is there anything else I can assist you with?
You: anything else?
You: you havent helped me at all lol
You: you have 4 days 23 hours and 50 minutes
You: tick tock#
Jennifer Doyle: Let me transfer you to my supervisor.
You: not if they are just going to say the same as you
info: Please wait while I transfer the chat to 'Benjamin Boyd'.
info: Hello, my name is Benjamin Boyd. How may I help you today?
You: Hi Benjamin
Benjamin Boyd: This is the supervisor on duty Gordon. I am aware of the conversation you just had with Jennifer. How can I help you today?
Benjamin Boyd: Gordon?
You: transfer me my money please
Benjamin Boyd: Your withdrawal is currently processing and will be send as soon as possible.
Benjamin Boyd: Is there any other question or doubt you may have Gordon?
You: which is how long?
Benjamin Boyd: As I mentioned is currently processing, your withdrawal will be sent as soon as possible.
Benjamin Boyd: Our currently processing time frame for Moneybookers (your selected method) takes 1-2 weeks and delivery to post of 24 hours.
You: well that is not what was agreed when i requested ny withdrawal
Benjamin Boyd: What do you mean with that?
You: your site stated UP TO 5 working days
You: for this method of withdrawal
You: which tbh is longer than any other site i play on
You: but I was willing to wiat the 5 days
You: but I am not willing to wait for up to 2 weeks
You: especially when I made the intial request 2 days ago and your company requested ID documentation, which I had already submitted when depositing.
You: so i have already compromied to 7 working days
You: *compromised
You: but i refuse to compromise further
Benjamin Boyd: Can you provide me with the link in which our site states a 5 days processing time frame Gordon?
You: it said it when i was withdrawing
You: i appreicate that you may not have the necessary authority to speed your obviously poor processes up
You: but I would appreciate it if you could pass my comments onto to your management
Benjamin Boyd: Please click here to check on our website information please.
You: and let them know that if ALL my funds are not in my moneybookers account in the time frame indicated that I will be placing a sequestration order on your company
Benjamin Boyd: I am truly sorry Gordon but the time frame is 1-2 weeks for Moneybookers. Rest assured that we will send your request as priority and that it will be send as soon as possible.
You: I'm not really interested
You: you have 4 dyas 23 hours and 37 minutes
You: then I instruct my legal team to sequest
Benjamin Boyd: I am truly sorry Gordon it seems that you don't understand our withdrawals time frame policies.
Benjamin Boyd: Rest assured it will be send as soon as possible as I have previously mentioned.
Benjamin Boyd: Is there anything else I can assist you with?
You: i understand that your service is very poor and as a poker journalist I will make it my new mission to send that message out
You: thanks for your non-assitance with this matter
Benjamin Boyd: Again truly sorry you feel that way. Remember that when you signed up you agreed to our terms of service Gordon.
You: do you still want that link you asked for?
Benjamin Boyd: Yes please.
You: because i have foudn EXACTLY where it says 5-7 days to process e-wallet withdrawals
You: https://teller.gamingsystem.net/cashier/cashout.do
Benjamin Boyd: Please provide me with that link Gordon ...
Benjamin Boyd: Please bear with me for a moment while I look into this...
Benjamin Boyd: I'll be right back with you Gordon ...
Benjamin Boyd: Gordon are you there?
You: yes
Benjamin Boyd: Gordon please accept my most sincere apologies as I have just confirmed with the relevant department that a new time frame for MB has been recently updated in our site. Also I can confirm that your withdrawal will be process and sent tomorrow. You can feel free to check your account in the afternoon.
Benjamin Boyd: Again please accept my most sincere apologies and rest assured that I will inform all of our CS agents to be aware of this new change.
You: many thanks
Benjamin Boyd: Right back at you!
info: Your chat transcript will be sent to gordon.mcarthur@tesco.net at the end of your chat.
You: Thanks for your help Ben and have a great weekend
Benjamin Boyd: It was my pleasure and once again please accept my most sincere apologies. You have a great day too Gordon.
Benjamin Boyd: Thanks for chatting. If you are fully satisfied with the outcome of this chat then I am going to close the connection shortly. Please contact us again if you have any questions.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-06-05T18:08:00.000-07:00

Shhhhiiiipppp!!!!!

Just took down the $3k gtd NLH Bounty ($11 buy in) on PlayersOnly for $600.56, including 10 bounties for $30.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bankroll Builder Update

2009-06-03T12:35:00.001-07:00

Currently $50 now up to $1848.85
Buyins $6563.59
Total Profit $1798.85
Games 1100 (includes cash sessions)
ROI 27%

The $10 level has turned out to be the easiest of the lot and now gone into $10 rebuy level, with 25c/50c and 50c/1 omaha cash games.

Onwards and upwards!!!

Shhhhiiiipppp!!!!!

2009-06-02T18:30:00.000-07:00

Just took down the $3k gtd Omaha hi/lo on PlayersOnly for $780.00, not bad as only had a top up so cost me $31.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!

GUKPT Newcastle

2009-05-21T02:50:00.000-07:00

Well having decided to give the main event of this a miss, I decided to play the £200 NLH and the £250 PLO side events. Here's how it went.

As far as the Hold Em event went. I get sat immediately next to a local that I know really well. Unfortunately every time I put in a raise, he reraises me massive each time showing a better hand to me when i folded, AQ-QQ, KQ-AK, AK-AA, JJ-QQ just 4 examples, sigh. Then I turn 2 pair only to run into a flopped set by Paul Wilson. I manage to limp through a couple of more levels, but never really recover.

The 2nd bite of the cherry, the omaha, was last night. With 7k starting chips and 30 minute levels, it was clear chips would be required early on. Got sat on same table as Steve Jelinek, Andrew Feldman, Jeff Kimber, Paul Wilson and a couple of locals, including Dr Zaffa. Looks like an action table.

Anyway, good read me, not much action first 2 levels, lol, apart from a hand where on a KQ9 rainbow board Paul Wilson manages to get a fish to get all his chips in on the flop vs his TJA8 with the bare K9 2 pair. Unfortunately the fish turns K to hit his house and Paul hits the rail, but you could see everyone at the table making a mental note that this guy was the one who could double us all up. This was to turn out crucial in the hand which turned out to be my last. The table fish limps in, so I raise from cutoff with Ad9d22, fish is the only caller. Flop Q 8 2 rainbow, now I am not a great lover of bottom set in omaha, but I know this guy is raising preflop with any big pair after seeing a lot of his hands at showdown, so immediately discount trip Q's, and whilst he might have a set of 8's, I was convinced he had top 2pr Q 8 again. Seeing how he couldnt put them down on the flop against Paul earlier, I decide to take the pot on the turn if a non scary card comes. Turn is 4, that aint scaring me for sure. He bets again I push and he calls with, yep you guessed it Q 8 2pr, no redraws, only for the river to come a cruel 8.

Aaaagggghhhh, I hate hold em players when they play omaha, not. :-)

Interesting Cash Hand Live in Newcastle

2009-05-21T02:48:00.000-07:00

Had interesting cash hand after the 1st event of the GUKPT in Newcastle on Monday. Here are the details.

Playing 1-1 NLH, one guy is acting a real asshole on the table and has made himself the table target, I honestly dont think this was a tactic I think he really was an asshole. Anyway I limp early with KJ, someone calls, asshole then raises on button to £5, SB calls, BB calls, I call and cutoff calls. Flop comes a very sweet J J J. check check check, cutoff bets £10, call call call, I call. Turn K, check check check, cutoff bets £20, asshole calls, fold fold, I call. I am trying to decide whether to value bet or shove the river, when the dealer turns the river card to show another K!!!! At the sight of this card the asshole shouts out, "Ha, ha, ha, I can't be beat.", which quickly makes my mind up that a shove was in order. I push all in, cutoff folds and asshole says "Well I cant be beat I call!!!". I keep my cards face down and say to him, "Which card would you like to see the one where you split the pot, or the one that beats you?". At this point his chin fell on the table and as the rest of the table burst into laughter, I honestly thought he was going to cry and, for a fraction of a second I nearly felt sorry for him, but as I raked in the pot this sentiment soon passed, lol.

Moneybookers

2009-05-13T05:01:00.000-07:00

I have found recently that a good way to move funds around, between poker sites is to use moneybookers.com

Once you have deposited on moneybookers, it is free to deposit and withdraw to your moneybookers account from most poker sites, it is also much quicker than using debit or credit cards.

Click on the link below to see what its all about.

https://www.moneybookers.com/app/?rid=8856954

Bankroll Builder Experiment Update

2009-05-12T16:17:00.000-07:00

Currently $50 now up to $493.73:

Buyins $2554.17
Total Profit $443.73
Games 758 (includes cash sessions)
ITM 259
ROI 17%

Got my roll up to $575 then went on a really sick bad run and dropped to nearly $400, but on way back up. I dont think moving to $10 level at $715 is the way to go, so adding an extra level into mine of $7 sit and goes at $715 and not moving to $10 til hit $1k (This might change but after a $175 swing at this level, which has fecked my ROI, I think it is prudent).

Bankroll Builder Experiment

2009-04-28T04:47:00.000-07:00

Ok I have been running this for 6 weeks now.

Rather than start at zero I decided to start with $50.

I have the following rules, which I have stolen bits from Mr Ferguson and others.

To start with only allowed to play freerolls or $1+10c sit and goes, try to play on site with rakeback deal, and account for rakeback as additional income added to bankroll.

Not allowed to move up levels until next level threshold broken and not allowed to fall below 50% between levels. i.e. to move to $2.25 level, must have at least $157.50, and once moved up level bankroll cannot fall below $103.75, if it does move back down level.

Set levels as follows:

Level Bankroll

$1+10c------------ $50+

$2+25c ------------ $157.50

$5+50 ------------ $357.50

$10+$1 ----------- $715.00

Also if playing cash games, not allowed to buy in for more than 5% of bankroll and must leave table if the amount at table is between 10-15% of bankroll i.e. once you have double up, leave table and rebuy back in elsewhere at 5% or less of bankroll.

I started off very well and my ROI was through the roof, but it has settled down to a bit of a grind and my original $50 now stands at the following after 6 weeks.

Bankroll $425.53

Profit $375.53

Games/Sessions played: 583

ROI: 24%

To give you an example of how important the rakeback was to this exercise, at the end of 4 weeks my bankroll stood at $187 and I was paid $29 in rakback from that months play, increasing my bankroll by a further 15%. Obviously as I move up levels the rakeback should increase exponentially.

I wonder if I can do a "Ferguson" and get it up to $10,000? Only time will tell. I'll keep you updated.

GUKPT Manchester Main Event report

2009-04-24T06:48:00.000-07:00

Ok the big day had arrived, and I made my way to Manchester for the GUKPT Leg 4 Main Event. It promised to be a reasonable pot and with 123 runners on day 1a, which historically has less runners than Day 1b, the prize pool was already sitting in excess of $350k, and was expected to approach $500k, with many registrations still to be taken for Day 1b.

I sat at my table and surveyed the scene. Seat 1 Unknown, Seat 2 Tony Caygill, a player from up my way, solid enough player, Seat 3 Caroline Cove, a lovely girl but she can talk for England, note to self to use i-pod should the talking get too much, Seat 4 Jeff Kimber, winner of World Heads up champs in 2007 and Tournament earnings in excess of $1m, beware, Seat 5 Simon Wolf Unknown, Seat 6 Chris Brammer Unkown, Seat 7 George McDonald fellow Scot and solid player, Seat 8 Maurice McCarthy Unkown, Seat 9 Me. Not too bad a table and fairly happy with it. Early on Brammer and McDonald emerge as the table aggressors and I am just looking to catch them with a big hand. I get a few small pairs but each time flop comes AKQ so have to let them go. Wolf knocks out McCarthy early on after seeing a 7 4 2 flop Wolf with 777 and McCarthy with underset 222, sicko.

Still early I get AQ in early pos and decide to limp in, folds to Jeff Kimber in BB who raises up to 150 (Blinds 25/50) both Wolf and Brammer call, so i decide to see a flop. The flop comes 2sQh4s, wolf checks, brammer raises to 300, this could be the hand i was looking for to get some chips, but with such a draw dangerous board i decide to see a turn card and call, Kimber calls, I know i am ahead of them both, then Wolf bangs in a reraise to 1400. Now I dont have a clue where I am and decide to let it go. Next level I get 10 10 and put in a raise Caroline calls from button. Flop comes an uninviting 2JQ, i bet she flats, I have her on J, Turn A. I decide she doesnt like this and look to check raise, but she checks behind, river is J. I put out a stopper bet which she quickly reraises, confirming my J theory, I let it go.

Table gets split and i get moved briefly onto another table, only hand of note, guy raises, I get JJ on button and reraise, he reluctantly folds showing AQ.

This table gets split and i get moved again. New table players of note Seat 3 James browning, many cashes and Poker broadcasting groundbreaker having hosted PNL in UK, Seat 5 Me, Seat 6 Andreas Hoivold, Former EPT winner and $1.5m+ in tournament winnings, Seat 8 Tim Flanders, $300k+ tournament winnings, Seat 9 Lynne Beaumont, one of leading UK Women players with $100k+ winnings. This table has a much better feel to it, and there are some big pots being played out. Hoivold knocks out an opponent after getting it in preflop with AK vs KK, Andreas hits A on river to knock out opponent, maybe thats how you win EPT titles?! No major hands of note until nearly end of level 3, when I get KK, I put in a raise to 525 and get 2 callers, Tim Flanders on button and the BB. First card out is Ac, and having put Tim on an A decide i am finished with hand, except the next 2 cards are 9c 5c and I have Kc. Anyway I check, Tim bets i call, we both check blank on turn, and river comes another A, maybe I was wrong and he didnt have A after all, so I bet and he flat calls with AK. 3 cards in deck and he hits 2 of them, sigh. This leaves me pretty short and I limp my way to the dinner break with only 1875 in chips. With blinds 150/300, I know i need to pick up a hand pretty quick after the break. I let one set of blinds pass me and next round it folds to me in SB, I look at first card which is an A and push, Hoivold in BB, says I dont need to look and calls. I tell him i only saw A so he turns over his first card to show Ad and 2nd card 9d, jeez i think, but my 2nd card is K!!! To the flop which comes a very scary 10d8s7d, but the turn and river are blank and i double up. I steal a couple of blinds and manage to get a push through with 77 and get my stack back up to above 4k. I know one double up and I am back in the race. Unfortunately it was not to be, as I find JJ in the cutoff, I put in a big raise only for the BB to wake up with KK, and with no help from the board I hit the rail.

So many thanks to my backers, I know i didnt manage a return on this occasion, but with a bit better luck, i.e. KK holding against AK, things could have been so so different, but then thats poker.

Shares Selling Fast

2009-03-24T06:55:00.000-07:00

24 shares left, so get your skates on if you want a piece of the action.

Own a Share of GiMac in the GUKPT

2009-03-04T04:35:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Ok it's here, a chance to own a share of me in the UK's leading poker tour the GUKPT (www.grosvenorukpokertour.com)

The Event: GUKPT Main Event
Date: 23-26th April 2009
Venue: Grosvenor Casino Manchester, UK
Prize Fund: $500k Estimated
1st Prize: $175,000 Estimated

Shares available: 72 x $25 shares
Profit Distribution: 50% to Shareholders (Example: If I win outright and get estimated $175k, each $25 share would be paid approx $1215)

Please note that any profit distribution will take into account any final table deals.

How to buy: Go to http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58351905825# join the group and post how many shares you would like. Payment details will be posted once sold out, but will be via Poker Stars, Full Tilt or moneybookers.com

Any questions please feel free to ask.

Ezekiel 25:17 (Abridged version).

2009-01-01T14:03:00.000-08:00

Ezekiel 25:17 (Abridged version).

"The path of the righteous poker player is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil donkeys. Blessed is he who, in the name of made hands and continuation bets, bets out at the weak through the turn and the river, for he is truly Sklansky's keeper and the finder of bust flush draws. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to cheat and outdraw my brothers. And you will know my name is GiMac when I lay the stone cold nuts upon you."

Amen.

WBCOOP Round 1

2008-12-17T03:38:00.001-08:00

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!

Won a seat to the final of WBCOOP, whch is next Sunday.

Come on!!! :-)

WBCOOP

2008-12-14T06:22:00.000-08:00

I have registered to play in the PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker!

The WBCOOP is an online Poker tournament open to all Bloggers.

Registration code: 037534

Variance vs Luck

2008-12-12T06:06:00.000-08:00

Ok so we all hear about variance, and how better players will come out ahead "in the long run".

So just exactly how long does it take? Some say 1000 MTT's, or some say 2 million hands.

Unfortunately, imho, they are all wrong!!!!

Statistically, for variance to even itself out, it takes INFINITY or as long as two things keep happening. One, your heart beats and two, your bankroll doesn't go bust.

So next time someone says "I'd rather be the better player." just tell them to shove it.

Me?

I'd rather be lucky than good.

2008-12-12T04:53:00.000-08:00

Hi all.

Its been a while since my last post and firstly I want to apologise. Its been pretty hectic setting up my new business, especially in the current economic climate, but there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel.

Due to work I havent played much live poker but I did go to Brighton to play for Scotland in the European Team Poker Champs, so will post a report on that very soon, and had a few new online activities which I will divulge shortly.

So once again sorry for the delay but from now on you should get some more regular news.

Be lucky cos, as I always say, I'd rather be lucky than good.

Good day on PKR but got robbed.

2008-08-11T17:09:00.000-07:00

Being running well again on PKR and today managed 3 x top 4 finishes for a net of $420.

But every silver lining has a cloud and in the $2k gtd short handed tournie managed to get my short stack to 3 handed and scraped my way up to just about equal chips with the other 2 players. Then this happens.

SB vs BB

SB raises, I call in BB with 78

Flop a beautiful 7 8 8

He bets, I call

Turn 10

He bets, I raise, he calls

River 10

He bets which he has done with A on double paired board a few times, so i push all in and he calls with K 10

runner runner 1.68% bad beat.

OUCH!!!!

Bankroll Management Update

2008-08-11T17:06:00.000-07:00

End of week 2.

Ok haven't managed to play too much this week cos of work, again, but here's an update. Betfair was going well and had roll up to $180, but went on a bad run and ended up marginally up on week, so switched to Mansion and rolled that up to $140. No play Grandslam.

Mansion

$2.82 up to $140

Betfair

$3.99 up to $135

Grandslam

$2 up to $25

Onwards and upwards!!!

3rd win in 4 days

2008-08-04T15:04:00.000-07:00

Now officially on a roll. Just took down the $25 Omaha MTT on PKR. :-)

Wins are just like Buses!!!!

2008-08-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

Went to Newcastle to play in the Poker Player Magazine Player Champs with the promise of a GUKPT seat as added value. Whilst I was happy with the way I played, I wasn't impressed with the structure which was hyper aggresive meaning I became a victim of it in 20th place of 100. To show you how aggresive the structure was they managed to get through a field of 100 players within 10 hours of play with a 5000 starting stack and 25 minute clock. Savage, and I will not be attending any of these events again.

However, on the bright side, I stayed behind to socialise with the guys from The Newcastle Poker Forum and they talked me into staying and playing the £10+£10+£10 game that was on that evening in the Grosvenor Newcastle. How glad I was that they did. I managed to reach the final, and eventhough I was short stacked, I had a good run of cards and managed to take it down for $800. Sweet.

Bankroll Management Update

2008-08-03T13:37:00.000-07:00

End of week 1.

Ok haven't managed to play too much this week cos of work, but here's an update.

Mansion

$2.82 up to $98

Betfair

$3.99 up to $130

Grandslam

$2 up to $25

So far so good.

GiMac Wins the $2k gtd on PKR

2008-08-03T13:36:00.001-07:00

Friday night managed to finish 1st in the $2k gtd beating 138 to win 1k. :-)

Reminder

2008-07-29T02:49:00.000-07:00

Don't forget, if you join PKR through the above banner link you will get a 100% match bonus of up to $2000 not only that but it's one of the easiest deposit bonuses to achieve ever!!!

Experiment Update

2008-07-29T02:45:00.000-07:00

Didn't manage to play too much today but here is an experiment update.

Betfair
End of day balance
Day 3 $101

Mansion
End of Day Balance
Day 3 $110

Small profits but a continuous upwards trend. I'm now over half way to getting to play at the next level. Come on!!!

Bankroll Experiment

2008-07-28T08:18:00.000-07:00

Ok I have devised a bankroll management experiment.

I'm running it on Mansion and Betfair, basically because I haven't played there for ages and they had very small balances in accounts (Mansion $2.84, Betfair $3.99).

There are rules to the experiment as follows.

1. Start at 10c/20c
2. Not allowed to move to next level until have 1000xBB i.e. 10c/20c need $200
3. If bankroll falls below 500xBB then must move back down level
4. Ring Games only

I may add some more as I go along but that's basically it.

I started on Saturday night and progress so far is:

Mansion
End of Day Balance
Day 1 $33
Day 2 $80

Betfair
End of day balance
Day 1 $57
Day 2 $78

So not a bad start, but let's see how far I can take it.

GiMac bounces back from bad beat!!!

2008-07-13T21:06:00.000-07:00

Well there i was donked out of the Sunday Million after outlasting half the field (5832rd of 14181) by a fish who 2 outed me on the river. I shouldn't play anymore tonight I thought, but the $50k was just starting. Oh what the hell!!!

4 hours odd later and I finish 33rd of 1404 for $631.80 (although $50k gtd prize pool was actually $140k) a nice wee cash to give me a weekend of MTT profit.

Apologies

2008-06-26T07:28:00.000-07:00

Firstly apologies to those of you who have asked for me not updating this for a couple of weeks, it's just ben manic. Here's a little something I made earlier to keep you going until I get some time.

Ezekiel 25:17 (Abridged version).

"The path of the righteous poker player is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil donkeys. Blessed is he who, in the name of made hands and continuation bets, bets out at the weak through the turn and the river, for he is truly Sklansky's keeper and the finder of bust flush draws. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to cheat and outdraw my brothers. And you will know my name is GiMac when I lay the stone cold nuts upon you."

Amen.

Asian Poker Tour - Manila

2008-06-05T06:44:00.000-07:00

Well great journey out here with Singapore Airlines. The flight left Manchester at 10am and was only about one third full, so we all had 3 seats each, so very comfortable and relaxing 13 hour flight to Singapore. A 3 hour stop in Singapore and we were on our way to Manila. 3hrs30minutes later we arrive in Manila at 1.15pm local time, 32 degrees celsuis (90f+) with 80% humidity. It's sticky!!!

Our transfer transport is late, but gives us a chance to stretch our legs and smoke some cigarettes. Anyway the minibus turns up and we load up. The drive from the airport to the Hotel is an experience and a half, with initially 5 lanes of traffic, somehow they have managed to squeeze 7 lines of vehicles over the 5 lanes, chopping and changing lanes left right and centre, horns blaring, lots of construction work going on, with a new airport due to open next year they are busy upgrading all the surrounding road network and the famous Philipino Aluminium buses.

We arrive at the Dusit Thani hotel where we are staying and the poker is being played there too, very handy. We check in and head straight for the poker room. Several cash games are in full swing and it becomes apparent that there is plenty of action on every table. I give the young lady 10,000 pesos ($250) to buy into the 100/200 NLH game. I manage to double up without even playing a hand, when a guy comes back from the cash desk and hands me 20,000 pesos in chips. Result!!!!! The game itself is pretty uneventful and I'm pretty tired, so after 3 or 4 hours I grab a couple of the guys we are with and head into town........to be continued........

I'm on my way to Manila!!!

2008-05-25T18:32:00.001-07:00

It's 2.30am and I've just finished packing.

Going to drive to Blackpool to meet the guys from aworldofpoker.com. We have a taxi booked to go to Manchester airport. there we take Singapore Airlines for a 13 hour flight to Singapore, 3 hours in airport and then a 4.5hr flight to Manila.

Watch out Manila GiMac is coming!!!

p.s. If you want to follow my progress keep an eye on this blog or go to www.aworldofpoker.com in the Live Update Section or thenuts.tv.

I LOVE FISH!!!

2008-05-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

So many times I hear people moaning about fish that have outdrawn them. So next time you are tempted to have a moan about some fish that got lucky, read this.

A Little Ditty By GiMac

Don't complain about the fish,
We love em.
Without them where would we be?
Swimming alone all hungry in the big wide open sea?
No I love the fish,
Bad beats and all.
Cos if they didn't play,
There'd be no dead money,
Which would not be funny
So long live the fish I say!!!!

p.s. GiMac say "Only a fish calls a fish a fish"

GiMac Qualifies For APT $1m gtd in Manila

2008-05-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

WoW!!!!!!! So as promised, Monday got a whole lot better. I was still not feeling well, but had the APT final qualifier to play on PKR. With 99 runners and only 3 packages up for grabs, I knew it would be a tall order, but you got to be in it to win it, right? Anyway 6 hours later we were on the 5th place bubble, and with 3 x $5000 packages and £4800 for 4th up for grabs, nobody wanted to go out. But I made a spurious, some would say downright bad call when the SB pushed into my BB where I held the monster hand of 4 4. Fortunately his A2 didn't improve and we were 4 handed. I suggested that with such a small amount between 4th and a package that we all put in $50 and then we could all go. Everyone agreed, but some jobsworth at PKR Support said "No final table deals allowed". Of course I end up going out in 4th after my AQ is busted by KQ, but I tell them that I'm going anyway and PKR see sense the next day and send me an e-mail confirming that they would pay the $200 and make 4th prize up to a full package. Good on them, although $200 ain't a bad price to pay for me to wear their clothing for a few days.

As far as the event itself is concerned it's 10,000 starting chips 1 hour clock with a guaranteed prize pool of $1m, so first prize should be in region of $280-300k. As I said before you got to be in it to win it, so here's hoping.

So watch out Manila in the Phillipines, GiMac is on his way. Come on!!!!

PKR Bonus News!!!!

2008-05-14T19:33:00.000-07:00

Before I tell you what happened on Monday, just a quick note to let you know that with my recent success on PKR I have managed to secure a super sign on bonus for anyone who signs up for PKR through the above banner!!!!

Now get ready for it but it's a 1st deposit match bonus of up to $2000!!!

Now I aint telling you this but, if you deposit and then immediately withdraw the funds, the bonus might just remain in place, well my reload bonus did this month, lol.

Anyway I hope someone can use the extra cash. Good luck all. GiMac.

A weekend of hell ends well.

2008-05-14T14:19:00.000-07:00

Well Saturday rolled up to Grosvenor, Newcastle for the final regional leg of the APAT Northern Region league. Joint top I needed to finish ahead of my good friend Morlspin. With only 10 runners it was going to be tough and unfortunately I grind out with no hands lasting 7 levels before going out in 8th. Oh well never mind. Well done Morlspin on a good fight and great win.

Next I move across the road to Aspers, where i manaage to alternate into the £50 freezeout. I get sat on nice table and settle in to get some chips. Early on I get 2 limpers into my SB I push all in with 82, knowing they will pass, which they do and I show the bluff. These are the two guys I want to set up and now I just need a hand. The very next round, I get 3 limpers into my BB. I look down at JJ and raise it up. One of my targets on the button pushes all in. I know he isnt beating JJ, so I call. He has A6 and says "I thought you were making a move again", of course that's what he was supposed to think, lol. Unfortunately he hits an A on the turn and the lucky fish sends me to the rail. Oh well what can you do when you outplay someone and they get lucky? Whilst at Aspers I have Pollock and chips, it's normally nice but for some reason didnt quite taste right, more of that later.

Next I play the £30 freezeout. I get past the first break but after flopping a set and someone betting into me, a third player calls down on a gutshot and hits a straight on the river. Sick!

I move back across the road to the Grosvenor to pick up a cash game. There is a small £1/£2 game starting so i sit down with £50 and get involved in the SLOWEST and most boring cash game I have ever played. I grind out to £200 and get bad beat back down to £125, when my tiredness and boredom get the better of me and I donk of my cash.

So I head home to bed and the weekend gets worse. Less than an hour in bed and I'm on the toilet 4 times!!! The memory of Apsers fish comes back to me. It wasn't right after all. The next 10 hours are spent between bed and bathroom and I feel like crap.

At 6pm I venture downstairs, still feelin unwell, my laptop is flashing to remind me that I have qualified for a Satellite Final to the GUKPT Main Event in Newcastle. I feel horrible, I certainly don't feel like playing poker. I go for a wee drive to the shop for some supplies and a bit of fresh air. By the time I get back I feel a bit better, so decide to play it. JUST AS WELL!!!!

6 hours later I'm sitting there proud as punch, having won a $2750 package to the GUKPT Main Event in Newcastle. I drag my carcass back to bed.

Little did I know that Monday would get even better!!!!

Busy week at work

2008-05-07T07:58:00.000-07:00

Been so busy with work haven't had time to update for a week, so here goes.

Didnt play much but summary of weeks results below:

29th April Tuesday €4k gtd on Virgin 5th for €260 ($415)

1st May
Wednesday away with work in Peterborough at the interestingly named Geothermal Drilling Show........not. Spent the evening watching Chelsea vs Liverpool in the Champions League. Chelsea won, but we were in the lap dancing bar by the end of extra time. Mind you didn't stay there long , as it was rank!!!

2nd May
Thursday €3k gtd on Virgin 8th for €136 ($215)
Thursday 3rd in AWOP League on Virgin for €40 ($60) and 18 points

To get a result in these two tournies was all the more impressive, considering I was watching Fiorentina vs Rangers in the semi-final of the Uefa Cup. The mighty Gers won on penalties, which was a bit nerve racking, but they make the final, which is in Manchester on 14th May.

3rd
Friday night off and early night as going to Edinburgh for APAT Scottish Open.

Report to follow........

Profit for week a paltry $220.

Back Online Again!!!

2008-04-27T08:40:00.000-07:00

OK after taking a few days off from poker after a heavy session in Nottingham last weekend, I was back online Saturday.

Target Events

$4k Gtd on PKR
$100k Gtd on PKR

Win seat for Sunday Warm Up and Sunday Million on Poker Stars.

Won a seat for the Sunday Warm up early on for only 40 loyalty points, result!!!

The $100k starts and I'm sat at the tightest table I have ever sat on at PKR. Out of 449 runners I actually get sat next to Dave Knight a great player from the Newcastle where I play regularly. Not much action early on, I get QQ and take down a nice pot, then AK and hit then KK and take down another nice pot. I get moved and take down a monster pot when guy limps from cutoff. I make up SB with Jh9c, BB autofolds as he is sitting out. Flop comes 8c9h10c. I bet out, he re-raises, I push all in and he calls with J10, damn I'm behind. Turn comes 7c. Yes!!!! Now splitting. River 4c, and I take it down with a sick back door flush. This puts me up to 50k and I should have enough to get past the bubble. I bully my stack up to around 70k and am in cruise mode. Then this happens. I'm in BB and folds round to SB who calls. I look down at Ah10h and make a raise to 4k. SB pushes all in for 30k. My notes on him say "Italian fish who pushes with any 2 cards from blinds". I'm sure I am ahead and call. He has 9h4c, Flop comes 10c8c2h, I am monster favourite, but a club on the turn and a club on the river gives him a 4 high backdoor flush. This obviously damages my stack big time and I have to limp to the bubble with 50 players left. I cut loose after the bubble playing my usual small stack game. I manage to get to 16 players left and push all in with AJ, fish calls with A7 spikes a 7 on flop and I hit the rail. I get $1010 for 16th which isn't a bad return conisdering I satellited in for $2!!!

At the same time I finish on the bubble in the $4k gtd for £110 loss.

Profit for the night $900.

Gala Casino British Poker Tour Nottingham

2008-04-27T07:38:00.000-07:00

Final Day

Arrive for 2nd day well rested after a great nights sleep, with the added bonus of hotel not charging me extra for a late checkout.

There are some big names still in with the likes of Dave Colclough, Ryan Fronda, Graeme Clarkson, Tom Rutter, Maria Demetriou, Jonathon Butters, and quite a few players left from the North East. I start the day 8th in chips on 79500 with average sitting at 52,200 and blinds at 1000/2000 and a running ante of 200.

I get sat on table 4 which looks like quite a tough table with seat 1 Jonothan Butters, Seat Two Thomas Rutter, Seat 3 P Hardy, Seat 4 Sam Wardlaw, Seat 5 R Plaistow, Seat 6 Ryan Fronda Seat 7 ME, Seat 8 Nichiei Hicks. But I am feeling good. Cards in the air and we're off.

2nd hand in Sam Wardlaw limps under the gun, I saw him make the same move the day before with AA and he gave off the same tells. I look down to see AK and am happy for the previous days knowledge and pass, he gets involved in a pot and I was correct he had AA. Very next hand I get AQ which i limp in with in early positionand have to pass to Butters re-raise which he shows AK with. So far so good. I get KK against a small stacks push with JQ and they hold up. putting me up to just over 100k. Not much action for the next couple of levels.

After the 1st break I get moved tables into seat 1, I have Graeme Clarkson on my left in seat 2, with daniel byrom in seat 4 and stuart Thompson in seat 5, dave maudlin gets moved into seat 6. We lose a few players and then Dave Maudlin raises to 15k with blinds at 2000/4000 with 400 ante, I look down to see KK, i raise to 45k and dave calls. Flop comes 9 6 6, Dave checks and i push all in. He thinks for an eternity and someone calls the clock on him. He calls with his 77 and my cowboys hold. A couple of hands later I raise from cutoff with AQ, Graeme Clarkson re-raises me, and I immediately put him on a pair probably 9'2, 10's or J's. deciding whether i want race when Daniel Byrom pushes all in from the BB. I pass and Graeme calls with his 10 10, Daniel has Ak and with the first card out K he takes down the pot. No A or Q and a lucky escape for me. We get past the bubble and after a long final table bubble I make it to the final table, but am short.

We are advi sed that Gala will buy the final table players an á la carte meal in the restaurant and after a fine feast of Filet Steak, Dauphinoise Potatoes and Spinach we make our way to the final table.

After the usual photos etc we settle down to start the final. I am the table short stack with 96k and blinds at 8000/16000 with 1500 ante. The blinds go through me and I get no hands, the BB reaches me again and I prepare to push with live cards. Stuart Thompson raises and Dave Maudlin pushes from the SB, I look at J 8 and decide to wait a hand. Stuart Thompson calls after a long deliberation with AQ and Dave shows AJ. Cool one player might go before me. Flop comes double paired and the two of them split the pot. Next hand someone pushes all in and I have to pass. Next hand I'm on button and decide that if it passes to me I'm pushing blind. It does and I push all in. Both blinds calls flop comes A2KQ 9, i announce i am blind and ask them to show what i need to outdraw. BB shows Q3, SB mucks, I turn over first card 8 and second card Q!!!! Split pot. I survive. Next hand I get AJ push all in and they all pass. Blinds come along again. Early raise from utg+1 I put him on JJ. I look down at Q8 but deicde to play, deciding that if A or Q comes I can push and he will probably pass. Flop comes A Q 2, I push and he calls with his AQ. Oops!!! Misread. Never mind $6000 for 9th place.

The tournament was won by Rupinder "George2Loose" Bedi. Well done George!!!

Profit for weekend $5750.

Gala Casino British Poker Tour Nottingham

2008-04-23T04:16:00.001-07:00

Day 1b

Main Event $1000 Freezeout, starting stack 10k, 60 minute clock, 226 runners.

Arrived 5 minutes late for start of tournament, after sat nav got completely confused by the Nottingham one way system. Fortunately they haven't started yet and I slip into my seat and prepare for battle. I'm drawn at table 3 seat 2 and, as it turns out, will be sat there for the rest of the day. I look around the table to see some very familiar faces, in seat 4 Trevor Reardon, a scouse pro who is renowned on the circuit for being aggresive. in Seat 5 Rocky Gupta from Teeside, Seat 6 has Steve Holden, the reigning champion, Seat 7, Houng Phen who i know likes to play every hand, seat 8 Latif Aziz from Teeside, Seat 10 P Kelly, a hardened pro player. It's going to be a tough table, but I am undaunted, I feel good, my game is going well and I have a good feeling about this tournament.

15 minutes late we get underway. 3rd hand in I limp with As4s utg. Reardon raises it up, and Rocky immediately re-raises, I pass and am gutted when the flop comes 8 4 4. Oh well it was the right pass in those circumstances pre-flop. Don't get too involved early on, as don't pick up any hands. Only noticeable pot in the first 2 hours play was where I limp in with As8s, one raiser 3xBB and 3 callers, so i call to see a flop. Flop comes Ac 3s 8h. I check it as the original raiser was TR and fully expect a continuation bet, but he checks, which is a little bit worrying, "possible set being checked on rainbow flop?" crosses my mind. Turn comes 7s, so now I have Top 2 pair and nut flush draw, I am not checking now and put in a 2/3 pot sized bet. All fold to BB who flat calls. River comes Qd, missed my flush but when BB checks I know my 2pr is good. I bet out pot sized bet and he calls. Shame on him for slow playing his AK from the BB, but thanks to him for paying me off. I get to the first break on 16k, average is 11500, so a good session. Unfortunately I then had a completely card dead period during the next session and when we broke for dinner, I had dropped down to 9k. I head off for something to eat and look forward to getting back, when I know I will need to pick up a hand or two to get back in the race.

Next session starts quietly again, I manage to get my stack back up to 12k with a mixture of good play and stolen blinds, which are now at 300/600 with a 50 ante. Then I get 9s 9h utg+1. I limp in, as does the player in seat 4, Phen limps in late position and BB checks. Flop comes As 9c 7s, "here we go" I think, BB checks and i bet out 2.5k, seat 4 re-raises me to 7.5k, Phen and BB both fold. Thinking i'm probably up against an A or a flush draw I push all in á la Phil Helmuth, pushing my stack over the line in a hurried can't get em in quick enough motion, he insta calls with his set of 7's. Wow set over set, has to be the best I can see him turn over and with him missing his one outer on the turn and the river I move up over 25k.

A little while later Rocky limps from early position, and I put him on a big hand, Phen next to act raises it up, which he has been doing from this position a lot. I look down at AQ, but feel I am well behind to Rocky here, which is proven correct when Rocky re-raises all in. Phen goes into think tank for some time and eventually calls. Rocky shows his AK and Phen amazingly shows only KdJd. The flop comes with 2 diamonds and you somehow know Rocky's fate is sealed, but the River J was sick, sick, sick. Unlucky Rocky. The very next hand I know Rocky will push from BB, there is a limper initially and I look down at QQ, I raise and Rocky pushes his small stack over the line blind. The other guy passes and my QQ holds up against Rocky's K8.

Steve Holden who has been bumping along the bottom since very early on, soon follows suit and departs. Great player Steve, shame he wasn't able to defend his title into the 2nd day.

Next few hours pass uneventfully for me, although we seem to be going through players at our table at a great rate of knots.

With 1 hours play left, I have ground my stack up to 47k, and with day 1a finishing with 48k as average stack I know that so long as I avoid a car crash, I should make it through in a decent position. At this point the day's chip leader Daniel Byrom gets moved into the seat on my left. I think great, there's my chances of blind stealing reduced, but how wrong I was.

The first round after Daniel sits down it folds to me on button, I look down at AK and put in a raise, both blinds pass and I show AK. Next round I get AQ on button, put in a raise and they pass, I show again. I really don't want Daniel getting the idea I'm stealing because he is the only one on the table that can do me any real damage. Next round same scenario, this time I show AJ suited. 4th round, it folds to me on button again, this time I look down and see AA (!), with blinds at 600/1200 with a 100 running ante I raise it up to 4k, Daniel in the SB think up for a few secs and re-raises me to 10k, BB passes and I re-re-raise a further 15k. Daniel pushes all in and I instantly call. He has JJ, and my bullets hold up. This puts me up to around 95k and although I lose a small pot before the end of the days play I end up on a healthy 79500. Taking into account the stacks from day 1, I am going into day 2 with nearly double average and the 6th largest stack, so well positioned. I head off to the bar to Watch the Joe Calghazi vs Bernard Hopkins Fight. Day 2 to follow......

See an interview with me here ------>>>> http://www.thenutz.tv/videodetail.php?video_id=66555

Marathon Cash Game Session

2008-04-14T14:47:00.001-07:00

Sunday 3pm having crashed out of $60 Terminator early doors. But cash game just starting, so I take a seat. It's a table with a mixture of local players and visiting festival goers. I sit with $400 on the $2/$4 PL table with high hopes. For the next 7 hours I seesaw from $400 down to $30 and back up again. I then decide this game is a bust, but I don't want to leave with a loss, so decide to leave once I get back up to $400. 2 hours later I'm still sat on $370 and can't seem to break back through to $400. Then in a rush filled 60 minute period I turn from $370 into $1850. I leave after 10 and a half hours of play tired but happy to leave with a nice profit after all. Good things do come to those who wait.

Overall profit for weekend, taking into account all expenses, $2060. Sweet.

Virgin Poker Festival Part 2

2008-04-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

After the $500 i was a bit deflated but bought in for the normal Friday night Aspers donkament. 230 runners, so lots of donkeys and bullets to dodge and I got shot early on. So I go sit on a $2/$4 cash game. I sit with $200 and donk that out early on. Tbh no hands of any great note, but managed to turn my reload into abuot $500 then this hand happens. Several limpers so i raise it from the cutoff to $38 with "The Hammer" 7c2c, professional footballer calls, this worries me cos he's a bit of a rock, then early limper a female pro from Birmingham pushes all in for $60. this is an underaise so i call as does the football player. Flop come Kh 7h 3s. Footballer leads out $120, I immediately put him on a flush draw maybe Ah8h or the like, he does like to bet his draws heavy, and i flat call. Any way turn card comes Jc. He bets out $180. I flat call. river comes an eight which worries me but no hearts, he checks, yep busted flush draw now i need to get rid of him in case he has hit a pair, so I make what looks like a value bet of $150, also it leaves me not too much behind so he knows I aint passing if he re-raises. I tell him "You got a busted flush draw, let it go!!!", he calls!!!! I think damn he must have me beat but he shows Ah10h!!!! I win!!!! with 2nd bottom pair, lol. So I win side pot which was considerably bigger than the main pot, which I expected to lose also but the female pro turns over 7d2d!!!! Split pot, lol!!! You gotta love this game sometimes and the deflation of the $500 game is gone and a nice profit is made on the nights cash game.

Next day is the main event. I have lunch with a few of the Aspers regulars, while we wait to see if we get lucky in the raffle for the seats of no shows. there ends up only being 2 seats up for grabs and with odds of 50/1 needless to say I didn't get one.

Next target was to qualify for the next days STT Champions tournament. But couldn;t play many STT's cos waiting list was massive and I came 2nd in 3 STT's consecutively, so no seat for the final for me, but consolation was that for coming 2nd I turned a $75 profit.

At 1am they had a special forum challenge and I was asked to Captain the AWOP Team. WIth everyone pretty drunk by this time it was clear it was going to be difficult to get reads on people. Anyway I only came 8th in my STT, after getting it in AJ vs Q10 and fish hitting Q and then K 10 vs QJ and fish number 2 hitting Q again!!! Oh well. Good results by PsychoDave (2nd) and PK (1st) meant that we beat Blonde Poker and that's all that mattered.

With 3 tournaments running consecutively Sunday was going to make it a busy day in the cardroom. The main event had 50 odd runners starting out on the 2nd day. The STT Champions tournament had 20 and the $60 Terminator had 130. I crashed and burned pretty early on when I flopped 2pr and other guy had flopped a straight. So I decided to hit the cash tables again and what a marathon session that turned out to be.......

Virgin Poker Festival Aspers Newcastle

2008-04-14T10:27:00.001-07:00

Well what a weekend. Went to the Virgin Poker Festival in Newcastle. Unfortunately I hadn't managed to win a seat to the main event, so would have to rely on the luck of an on the day raffle but more of that later.

$500 Double Chance Freezeout

With 12000 chips and an hour clock we were all looking forward to a decent tournament and we were not to be disappointed. Many old faces appeared out of the woodwork and with a decent sized field around 60 we knew a good standard of play would be required.

Early on I didn't get too involved and to be honest didn't get too many hands. But I have pushed my stack up to about 15k. Just before the first 2 hour break, blinds at 100/200, there was a raise from under the gun and I looked down in the cutoff at AA, with the initial raiser making it 350 to play, i bumped it up to 2350, he calls. The flop comes down 2 5 9 with 2 spades. He checks and i bet 3500. He immediately pushes all in. Does he have a set? My initial read was that he had AJ or something like that, at very worst AK, I never put him on a pair at all. I'm convinced he would only make this play with a flush draw and whilst I don't really like it I call because I think I am ahead and he is drawing. He turns over As10s and with a blank turn and river I increase my stack to 24k.

Several hours pass and I have stagnated winning a few pots here and there just to keep my stack ticking over. I get moved tables and go straight into the BB. It Folds round to the button who puts in a raise. I look down at 55, at least i got a hand to raise him with and teach him not to raise my BB. I raise it up and he calls after a long think, I have him on A rag. We end up checking it down and sure enough he has A7 and my 5's hold up. As I am counting the chips, he looks over and says "Are you GiMac?" and I say "Yes". That's how I met MadasaWasp from AWOP. Nice guy and a good player.

At the last break for the day they decide to squeeze in an extra level and it's during this level that I get the most action. My stack is still in the 20's and I need to get a few hands to make it worthwhile coming back the next day. I get moved tables and an old adversary of mine, says "Here he comes, he always knocks me out. I'm getting your chips this time!!!". I just say that will depend on the poker gods and we will see. Anyway, with just over an hour to go, he raises from Mid table position, I immediately put him on A10 or therabouts.I look down on the button and see the dreaded hooks. Now whilst JJ is one of the best ranked hands in poker, it is a hard hand to play with because of the number of times an over card will appear on the flop, but I'll take it against A10 any day. With blinds at 400/800 he has raised it too 3200, i raise a further 6000, he has 9000 behind so he has a push or fold decision. Meantime Li in the BB folds AK, he is some player. Anyway matey boy decides to push all in and I duly call. It's better than expected because he has AJ and is a 30% dog. Anyway the poker gods decided to smile on me and I knock him out once again. "You always take my chips" he says, "What can you do?" I say, with a rye little smile.

The very next hand a player pushes all in from under the gun, as does someone else. I look down in the cutoff at AA and push all in too. My Bullets hold up and I take out the two small stacks. These two hands have increased my stack to 65k and I can shut up shop until day 2.

It's getting late and the decision to squeeze in an extra level will affect my end of day chip count. It's well after 4am and nearly the end of the days play when it folds round to me on the button. I look down at A 3 and although I don't normally raise with it, cos it's not in my hand range, even from the button. I decide to use my chip stack to take down the blinds. I announce raise and Benny, who has to be the quietest dealer on the planet says something to me. I have to ask him to repeat and the whole table tells me that Malcolm has already pushed all in from under the gun for about 9k. Shit mistake!!! My only one of the day but it's going to cost me. He has AK which holds up and with a further set of blind going through me I end the day on 49000 chips.

Day 2

Play was due to start at 3pm with 21 players returning, but I was unfortunately delayed and didn't arrive until after 4pm, not a good start. I had lost approx 9k in chips and stood on 40k. This wasn't a disaster because I had just about bang on the average stack, but with the blinds about to go up to 1000/2000 there was no real pressure to get a move on. Twice I raise only to be re-raised by tight players and I find myself having to lay down decent hands. Then I go completely card dead. Everytime I look to make a move, someone raises before I can act. I'm bleeding chips and am now the short stack of the table and need to choose a position to make a move. I end up raising on the button with A4 suited. I make it 4500, leaving me approx 12k behind to go and the BB calls, the flop comes 10 5 8. He immediately pushes all in. Now he did this to me before and I figured he had something and passed. Using that information, if I was right the first time his demeanour was slightly different this time, meaning he had nothinig or was on a draw. The only thing to figure out was, was I right last time??? I decide I was and call he turns over 67 and is up and down. Someone at the table says "Thats a damn good call!!!" just as the dealer turns over a 9 of diamonds to complete the BB's straight. A good call made at a bad time and I go out in 12th position. I was happy with the way I played overall and the only two things I might do differently would be not to make the mistake at the end of day 1 and maybe I should have pushed all in with the A4 instead of just raising. Always learning!!!

The tournament ended up being won by Eric Barker an extremely good player.

It was a great tournament, won by a worthy winner and ran expertly by the Aspers Cardroom Crew.

Well done all!!!

I'll post about the rest of the weekend later.

Manage to Scrape a profit

2008-04-09T19:34:00.000-07:00

Came no where in any of targetted tournies, and missed entry for $45k on Stars. Fortunately got 2nd in a $38 sit and go on Stars, cashed in satellite for Rio LAPT and cashed in 6-max $55 freezeout on Stars.

Profit $242.

Tomorrow going to Aspers to play in £250 freezeout at the Virgin Poker Festival.

2008-04-09T02:50:00.000-07:00

Ooops with the frenzied online activity last night, I forgot that I also won a seat to PKR's monthly $75k PKR Masters Tournament for later in month.

Playing online again tonight.

Target events should be:

$10k Gtd PKR
$4k Gtd PKR
WSOP Final Qualifier on Virgin
$45k Gtd on Stars

Fingers crossed for the WSOP Seat!!!!!

Back to winning ways

2008-04-08T17:38:00.000-07:00

Online frenzy tonight.

Target events:

Virgin VIP2 Freeroll

$10k Gtd PKR

$4k Gtd PKR

Virgin WSOP Qualifier

$25 Omaha PKR

Ok go out of Virgin VIP2 after an uneventfull tournie.

$10k Gtd get chips in after flopping top pair vs fish who cant laydown AK and rivers an A. $33 loss.

Win seat to Virgin WSOP Final, I already have one so $400 added to roll.

$25 Omaha I final table but finish on bubble in 5th. $27 loss.

$4k Gtd on PKR. Cruise into final and am chip leader with 5 left when I get 44 manage to see a free flop which comes J 4 10. I bet out and fish pushes allin with J 10, I'm only too happy to call, but he hits his 4 outer and gets a J on the river. Manage to get to heads up but have a chip deficit. Manage to claw my way up to even, and get chips in with AJ vs KJ. Flop comes 10 J K 6 K and i get outdrawn finishing 2nd for an $1020 profit.

$1360 profit.

A good nights play.

Aspers £20 rebuy

2008-04-08T17:36:00.000-07:00

Never hit a thing, apart from flopping trips twice and getting outdrawn by someone hitting a straight.

$160 down.

Welcome!!!

2008-04-07T10:10:00.000-07:00

Ok I'm new to this blogging malarky, so be gentle.

I'm planning to post the highs and the lows of playing poker as a serious recreational player.

I'm not a pro and don't think I want to be one, but I love the game and the challenges it represents.

I've been playing for about 3 years and managed to profit in my 2nd and 3rd year and paid off the amounts I lost by ways of tuition in the first year.

Over the past couple of years I've been fortunate to qualify for some great festival events, and GUKPT events and have managed a couple of minor cashes in events like the Grosvenor Grand Prix, European Amatuer Poker Champs, European Deep Stack Champs and GUKPT, but still working on that big pay day.

Aim this year is to qualify for the WSOP Main Event, but thats proving harder than I thought, oh and make a 3rd years profit.

The first 3 months of this year have started well and I'm currently $11541 in profit.

So let the shared journey begin and I hope you enjoy.