March has seen a few changes already to some Guarantees.
Cryptologic
10am £800 GTD has been reduced to £700 GTD
4.30pm £900 GTD has been reduced to £800 GTD.
Expect crypto to keep a eye on their guarantees over the next couple of weeks as they wind down. They are usually very good at ensuring there are no big overlays out there.
Last night though the numbers were down on a night that is usually strong for them. Might be worth watching the £9k figures tonight, especially as there are a few Premier League games on, which usually affects the numbers.
Betfair
10.05pm $1200 GTD has been reduced to $1100 GTD.
Betfair has been highlighted as one of the sites with good value at the moment, so we shall keep a close eye here.
ClintonO
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Monday, March 02, 2009
February 09 Review
For the first time in what seems like an eternity, I can actually post about making some steps towards getting my game back together again.
Its not been an exceptional month and it doesn't cover all the outlays I have, but my records will show that February 2009 was a +£1.6k month and that is a step in the right direction.
The main profit came from the 4th place in the Littlewoods $20k, but I also had a 2nd on Inter as well as having a postive ROI on STTs, yes honestly I made some money playing Stts!.
I have been playing these 20 seaters on Littlewoods at $20 and $30 and apart from a minor blip yesterday I had a 69% ROI, unheard of!
So although there is a lot of work still to be done on my game, I feel that I am finally moving in the right direction.
Poccer Season 2
I am delighted to announce that I am once again going to be running some Poccer events. The first one is the 28th March at the Grovesnor Casino in Walsall, if anyone is interested just let me know, it will be a fantastic day out.
CPC Deal.
No update on this I am afraid to say, I have not heard anything more in the last couple of weeks and now that we are into March, I can't see me being paid my 5% that was agreed.
Really dissapointed in this, as I was relying on this to get my bankroll going again (everything else gone into buying a house) and it just makes you wary of trusting people in this game, something I never thought I would be.
Overlays.
The tournies to keep watching are on Littlewoods and Betfair. Last week the $20k on Littlewoods had a $6k overlay one night.
It is also worth keeping an eye on the Party Poker 8pm, now that they have moved to $30k guaranteed, as this is not yet meeting its guarantee.
The main value tournament at 25% was the 8pm on Littlewoods. This has now been reduced from $2.5k Gtd to $2k Gtd, but its entry fee has halved from $22 to $11. This if anything has increased the % overlay!
Good Luck in March
ClintonO
Its not been an exceptional month and it doesn't cover all the outlays I have, but my records will show that February 2009 was a +£1.6k month and that is a step in the right direction.
The main profit came from the 4th place in the Littlewoods $20k, but I also had a 2nd on Inter as well as having a postive ROI on STTs, yes honestly I made some money playing Stts!.
I have been playing these 20 seaters on Littlewoods at $20 and $30 and apart from a minor blip yesterday I had a 69% ROI, unheard of!
So although there is a lot of work still to be done on my game, I feel that I am finally moving in the right direction.
Poccer Season 2
I am delighted to announce that I am once again going to be running some Poccer events. The first one is the 28th March at the Grovesnor Casino in Walsall, if anyone is interested just let me know, it will be a fantastic day out.
CPC Deal.
No update on this I am afraid to say, I have not heard anything more in the last couple of weeks and now that we are into March, I can't see me being paid my 5% that was agreed.
Really dissapointed in this, as I was relying on this to get my bankroll going again (everything else gone into buying a house) and it just makes you wary of trusting people in this game, something I never thought I would be.
Overlays.
The tournies to keep watching are on Littlewoods and Betfair. Last week the $20k on Littlewoods had a $6k overlay one night.
It is also worth keeping an eye on the Party Poker 8pm, now that they have moved to $30k guaranteed, as this is not yet meeting its guarantee.
The main value tournament at 25% was the 8pm on Littlewoods. This has now been reduced from $2.5k Gtd to $2k Gtd, but its entry fee has halved from $22 to $11. This if anything has increased the % overlay!
Good Luck in March
ClintonO
Monday, February 16, 2009
A first decent cash of 2009
Well its been a very long timing coming, but on Saturday night I actually made a decent cash!
Admittedly I do not play the bigger games that I used to, but I can finally remember what is like to win some money.
I played in the Littlewoods $20k on Saturday, I still am not a fan of the software and I hate playing without antes, but the overlay is great and at $50 its affordable.
I finished 4th for $1.4k, a little dissapointed that my 88 went out to A4 with an Ace on the turn, but considering with 65 left I had 1900 chips left and just put 1200 in the Big Blind, I was more than happy (everyone folded!).
I would post the hand histories of a few hands, but I can't work out whether they get recorded anyway on the software.
I need to dig out my old Poker-Spy software!
Hopefully I can now start playing with a bit more belief and can't start to make some inroads into building a bankroll again.
Everything I had is going towards a new house and unfortunately without my expected Caribbean money it been a real grind!
Before September of last year, my average profit for a month, since I started in August 2005 was £2920.
My profit in the last six months is less than my previous average for a month!
Not very good when it is your only source of income at present.
A quick Hello to Mr AlexB, thanks for your note, I look forward to catching up with you soon sir!
I have been keeping an eye on all the networks of late and following Poker Rooms increase the guarantees in 2 events, Party Poker have gone further and increase 5 guarantees.
7pm $7500 to $10000
8pm $25000 to $30000
9pm $18000 to $20000
10pm $10000 to $12000
11pm $6000 to $7000
What is also good is that have kept the buy ins the same.
The value in the marketplace remains on littlewoods with 8 of their guarantees in the top 11, all averaging over 13% overlay.
Betfair have now become the number 2 site for overlays with 5 of their guarantees averaging over the 13% overlay mark.
Of the 225 I keep track of, 42 are showing overlays over the last couple of weeks.
I think the cryptologic software will be worth keeping an eye on over the next couple of weeks as they draw to a close. Their are usually very good at keeping track of overlays, but with people and skins migrating elsewhere, they may well be some value.
I am also hoping to confirm the next Poccer event to be the 28th March, I should get the go ahead this week, further details to follow.
ClintonO
Admittedly I do not play the bigger games that I used to, but I can finally remember what is like to win some money.
I played in the Littlewoods $20k on Saturday, I still am not a fan of the software and I hate playing without antes, but the overlay is great and at $50 its affordable.
I finished 4th for $1.4k, a little dissapointed that my 88 went out to A4 with an Ace on the turn, but considering with 65 left I had 1900 chips left and just put 1200 in the Big Blind, I was more than happy (everyone folded!).
I would post the hand histories of a few hands, but I can't work out whether they get recorded anyway on the software.
I need to dig out my old Poker-Spy software!
Hopefully I can now start playing with a bit more belief and can't start to make some inroads into building a bankroll again.
Everything I had is going towards a new house and unfortunately without my expected Caribbean money it been a real grind!
Before September of last year, my average profit for a month, since I started in August 2005 was £2920.
My profit in the last six months is less than my previous average for a month!
Not very good when it is your only source of income at present.
A quick Hello to Mr AlexB, thanks for your note, I look forward to catching up with you soon sir!
I have been keeping an eye on all the networks of late and following Poker Rooms increase the guarantees in 2 events, Party Poker have gone further and increase 5 guarantees.
7pm $7500 to $10000
8pm $25000 to $30000
9pm $18000 to $20000
10pm $10000 to $12000
11pm $6000 to $7000
What is also good is that have kept the buy ins the same.
The value in the marketplace remains on littlewoods with 8 of their guarantees in the top 11, all averaging over 13% overlay.
Betfair have now become the number 2 site for overlays with 5 of their guarantees averaging over the 13% overlay mark.
Of the 225 I keep track of, 42 are showing overlays over the last couple of weeks.
I think the cryptologic software will be worth keeping an eye on over the next couple of weeks as they draw to a close. Their are usually very good at keeping track of overlays, but with people and skins migrating elsewhere, they may well be some value.
I am also hoping to confirm the next Poccer event to be the 28th March, I should get the go ahead this week, further details to follow.
ClintonO
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
APAT Season 3 English Open
This weekend just gone I played my first live event of 2009.
It was the APAT Season 3 opener, the English Open held at the Grovesnor Casino in Cardiff.
I don't know what it is about casinos in this country, but I always seem to feel a bit dissapointed, because they are just not Vegas! A big ask I know!
Anyway the casino managed to fit in the 20 tables for the 200+ runnner event and mostly keep the event running smoothly.
I like the idea behind APAT, putting on a good tournament for amateurs at the cost of £75 for a deepstack tournament and have a lot of time for Tony Kendall, who runs the show.
As for my performance, well I made the dinner break! A personal triumph!
I started the day with 10,000 in chips, moved up to 13k within the first 2 levels before losing the majority of my stack.
A scottish guy next to me, had been drinking vast amounts of lager throughout the day. I asked him for some change at one point and he took about 2 minutes to count out the chips, gave the wrong amount and then stared at them for 5 minutes trying to work it out.
He then tried to bluff a pot got rearaised on the river, but decided he should call with K high anyway.
A few hands later, I had AhQh. The board came Qs,5h,2h. When he bet twice the size of , the pot I decided to put him all in and just my luck that he had AA. So down to 5k.
I waited around for a while taking the blinds occasionally to keep above 5k. The amount of times I shook my head during this tournament was frightening.
I saw someone commit 8k of their 14k stack . On the river, the board was King high, no flush no straight and they open folded AA to a bet of 3k. Stunned I was! lol
A few hands later this monster pot unfolded.
See if you can guess the hands involved.
Both players have around 10k, blinds are as high as 75/150.
Under the gun, raises to 450, seat 4 calls. BB calls.
Flop Js5h6s.
BB Checks.
UTG checks.
Seat 4 bets 1200
BB folds
UTG instant all in.
Seat 4 instant calls.
So what do we think - two premium pairs, maybe seat 4 has hit a set. Maybe UTG has AKs. My guess was AKs and either a made set or an overpair to the board.
UTG shows 2s4s.
Seat 4 shows 7h8h.
And I run into aces lol.
For the record the 24 won, he hit a 3 on the turn to hit a straight.
The river was a 8, giving seat 4 an apparent reason to celebrate, until 10 seconds he realised that the 8 was a spade and he had lost to a flush. No-one had the heart to tell him the guy had hit a straight on the turn.
I also saw someone call a big bet on a 2345 board, lead on the river after a T came down and then fold to a reraise!
Quite honestly it was madness out there.
As for me I got going quite nicely and fought my way to 24k. I won a race when short AK vs TT.
My exit hand, was typical for the moment.
I had KT on the button and put an above average raise in. I was called as expected by the BB, a decent player, he was on my first table (he should have been out when the guy folded AA to his Q high) and was now on my 3rd table.
He had about 50% more chips than me at this point.
The flop was K94. He checked, I led out with a typical continuation bet and he reraised, a familiar play that had worked for him many times.
I went all in to which he reluctantly called.
He showed Q9 for second pair, I said good hand as I felt my end was coming and sure enough the next card was a Q. I shook his hand and left to a round of applause and some comments about how sick that was (Everyone got applauded when the went out - well most!)
I has seem some rare sights that evening, those hands I had mentioned. The fact that the 3rd table I played on was a ten seater, but on average had just 5-6 players on it.
Seat 1 played 1 hand in 8 and then just went round the room chatting to each other. Seats 2&3 kept going to the toilet or having cigarette breaks at 20 mins a time. Seat 3 bless her was so drunk, that shortly after dinner she was crying her eyes out, couldn't count her chips and would throw her arms around anything that went near her. (This did not stop her from doubling up 3 times with garbage!)
Seats 5 & 9 would be knocked out within 5 mins of sitting down! So it was effectively a short handed table!
Anyway I won't be rushing back to play in one of these tournaments, but they are a very good way for someone to experience deep stack poker play at realtively cheap costs.
Other news.
Just keeping an eye on the online situation following the latest string of moves. It appears the Ongame network are going well (Poker Room - is the skin I play on there), two of their guarantees have been increased. The 6.30pm has gone from $5k to $7.5k and the 8.30pm from $5k to $8k.
I have continued my work on finding the best overlays and here is the current top 5.
1) Littlewoods Sunday 9.30pm $4k GTD - Overlay 25%
2) Celeb (Boss) Sunday 3pm E7.5k GTD - Overlay 23%
3) Littlewoods Daily 8pm $2.5k GTD - Overlay 18%
4) Littlewoods Sunday 8pm $100k GTD - Overlay 18%
5) Littlewoods Daily 8.35pm $20k GTD - Overlay 17%
Littlewoods currently have 7 of the top 8 overlays in the market at the moment!
Also if there are any Omaha players out there, who may be interested in a good deal, drop me a line!
Good Luck one and all
ClintonO
It was the APAT Season 3 opener, the English Open held at the Grovesnor Casino in Cardiff.
I don't know what it is about casinos in this country, but I always seem to feel a bit dissapointed, because they are just not Vegas! A big ask I know!
Anyway the casino managed to fit in the 20 tables for the 200+ runnner event and mostly keep the event running smoothly.
I like the idea behind APAT, putting on a good tournament for amateurs at the cost of £75 for a deepstack tournament and have a lot of time for Tony Kendall, who runs the show.
As for my performance, well I made the dinner break! A personal triumph!
I started the day with 10,000 in chips, moved up to 13k within the first 2 levels before losing the majority of my stack.
A scottish guy next to me, had been drinking vast amounts of lager throughout the day. I asked him for some change at one point and he took about 2 minutes to count out the chips, gave the wrong amount and then stared at them for 5 minutes trying to work it out.
He then tried to bluff a pot got rearaised on the river, but decided he should call with K high anyway.
A few hands later, I had AhQh. The board came Qs,5h,2h. When he bet twice the size of , the pot I decided to put him all in and just my luck that he had AA. So down to 5k.
I waited around for a while taking the blinds occasionally to keep above 5k. The amount of times I shook my head during this tournament was frightening.
I saw someone commit 8k of their 14k stack . On the river, the board was King high, no flush no straight and they open folded AA to a bet of 3k. Stunned I was! lol
A few hands later this monster pot unfolded.
See if you can guess the hands involved.
Both players have around 10k, blinds are as high as 75/150.
Under the gun, raises to 450, seat 4 calls. BB calls.
Flop Js5h6s.
BB Checks.
UTG checks.
Seat 4 bets 1200
BB folds
UTG instant all in.
Seat 4 instant calls.
So what do we think - two premium pairs, maybe seat 4 has hit a set. Maybe UTG has AKs. My guess was AKs and either a made set or an overpair to the board.
UTG shows 2s4s.
Seat 4 shows 7h8h.
And I run into aces lol.
For the record the 24 won, he hit a 3 on the turn to hit a straight.
The river was a 8, giving seat 4 an apparent reason to celebrate, until 10 seconds he realised that the 8 was a spade and he had lost to a flush. No-one had the heart to tell him the guy had hit a straight on the turn.
I also saw someone call a big bet on a 2345 board, lead on the river after a T came down and then fold to a reraise!
Quite honestly it was madness out there.
As for me I got going quite nicely and fought my way to 24k. I won a race when short AK vs TT.
My exit hand, was typical for the moment.
I had KT on the button and put an above average raise in. I was called as expected by the BB, a decent player, he was on my first table (he should have been out when the guy folded AA to his Q high) and was now on my 3rd table.
He had about 50% more chips than me at this point.
The flop was K94. He checked, I led out with a typical continuation bet and he reraised, a familiar play that had worked for him many times.
I went all in to which he reluctantly called.
He showed Q9 for second pair, I said good hand as I felt my end was coming and sure enough the next card was a Q. I shook his hand and left to a round of applause and some comments about how sick that was (Everyone got applauded when the went out - well most!)
I has seem some rare sights that evening, those hands I had mentioned. The fact that the 3rd table I played on was a ten seater, but on average had just 5-6 players on it.
Seat 1 played 1 hand in 8 and then just went round the room chatting to each other. Seats 2&3 kept going to the toilet or having cigarette breaks at 20 mins a time. Seat 3 bless her was so drunk, that shortly after dinner she was crying her eyes out, couldn't count her chips and would throw her arms around anything that went near her. (This did not stop her from doubling up 3 times with garbage!)
Seats 5 & 9 would be knocked out within 5 mins of sitting down! So it was effectively a short handed table!
Anyway I won't be rushing back to play in one of these tournaments, but they are a very good way for someone to experience deep stack poker play at realtively cheap costs.
Other news.
Just keeping an eye on the online situation following the latest string of moves. It appears the Ongame network are going well (Poker Room - is the skin I play on there), two of their guarantees have been increased. The 6.30pm has gone from $5k to $7.5k and the 8.30pm from $5k to $8k.
I have continued my work on finding the best overlays and here is the current top 5.
1) Littlewoods Sunday 9.30pm $4k GTD - Overlay 25%
2) Celeb (Boss) Sunday 3pm E7.5k GTD - Overlay 23%
3) Littlewoods Daily 8pm $2.5k GTD - Overlay 18%
4) Littlewoods Sunday 8pm $100k GTD - Overlay 18%
5) Littlewoods Daily 8.35pm $20k GTD - Overlay 17%
Littlewoods currently have 7 of the top 8 overlays in the market at the moment!
Also if there are any Omaha players out there, who may be interested in a good deal, drop me a line!
Good Luck one and all
ClintonO
Thursday, February 05, 2009
2009 Update
Well February is here already.
So whats been happening, not a lot on the poker front I have to say.
I have played a few games with limited success, but my heart has still not been in it.
I was however delighted to see the WSOP schedule released, I just love Las Vegas and I now have a challenge to earn myself enough to get there again this year.
Most of my time at the moment has been taken up sorting out buying myself a house and just getting everything back on line!
I have treated myself to a brand new laptop though, which I hope will give me the inspiration to play a bit more.
I am playing the APAT (Amateur Poker Association & Tour) UK Poker Championship this weekend at the Grovesnor in Walsall, to try and rediscover the poker bug.
I am trying to get a second season of Poccer going and will hopefully have some news on that very soon.
As for the question everyone keeps asking me, no I have not yet received the money from Dave Lloyd.
It was all loooking promising, but I have not heard from him for a month. I could really do with it one to ensure I have a bankroll to play and two just to give me the confidence that all us poker players are true to their word.
I do however have something to offer anyone who reads this blog.
Over the last 2 weeks I have been evaluating every tournament there is, mainly as cryptologic closes at the end of the month, but also to see where the best value is.
I have a long list of tournaments to see which ones have the biggest overlays and therefore arguably the best value.
At present the top 3 can all be found on Littlewoods/Pacific network
1) Avg 18% overlay - 8.35pm $20,000 GTD ($55 entry)
2) Avg 17% overlay - 8pm $2,500 GTD ($22 entry)
3) Avg 15% overlay - 10.30pm $3,000 GTD ($22 entry)
This is where you will find me whilst I am playing at the moment.
I play under the old name ClintonO here.
I am also using up my last few pennies on my crypto account on Inter, where I could not get the ClintonO name, so I play under the name Shamu.
I hope the poker gods are being kind to you
ClintonO
So whats been happening, not a lot on the poker front I have to say.
I have played a few games with limited success, but my heart has still not been in it.
I was however delighted to see the WSOP schedule released, I just love Las Vegas and I now have a challenge to earn myself enough to get there again this year.
Most of my time at the moment has been taken up sorting out buying myself a house and just getting everything back on line!
I have treated myself to a brand new laptop though, which I hope will give me the inspiration to play a bit more.
I am playing the APAT (Amateur Poker Association & Tour) UK Poker Championship this weekend at the Grovesnor in Walsall, to try and rediscover the poker bug.
I am trying to get a second season of Poccer going and will hopefully have some news on that very soon.
As for the question everyone keeps asking me, no I have not yet received the money from Dave Lloyd.
It was all loooking promising, but I have not heard from him for a month. I could really do with it one to ensure I have a bankroll to play and two just to give me the confidence that all us poker players are true to their word.
I do however have something to offer anyone who reads this blog.
Over the last 2 weeks I have been evaluating every tournament there is, mainly as cryptologic closes at the end of the month, but also to see where the best value is.
I have a long list of tournaments to see which ones have the biggest overlays and therefore arguably the best value.
At present the top 3 can all be found on Littlewoods/Pacific network
1) Avg 18% overlay - 8.35pm $20,000 GTD ($55 entry)
2) Avg 17% overlay - 8pm $2,500 GTD ($22 entry)
3) Avg 15% overlay - 10.30pm $3,000 GTD ($22 entry)
This is where you will find me whilst I am playing at the moment.
I play under the old name ClintonO here.
I am also using up my last few pennies on my crypto account on Inter, where I could not get the ClintonO name, so I play under the name Shamu.
I hope the poker gods are being kind to you
ClintonO
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Thanks
I just wanted to say thank you for the kind word that lots of people have either posted on here or who have contacted me direct.
It is nice to know that this blog was being read and helping people.
With that in mind in has caused me to rethink my decision and therefore I am considering starting it up again.
However I am going to leave in the decision in the hands of the poker gods!
I had a post on here from David who has vowed to ensure that he sends me the money from our deal at the caribbean, which is good news as I could really do with it, but as yet I have not received it.
I have decided that if I receive the money I will use this money completely as a bankroll for playing poker and therefore will continue writing. If I don't receive the money then I will not continue down this path and do something else instead.
So if it happens I look forward to seeing you soon, if not then good luck to one and all.
Regardless of what happens, have a wonderful christmas!
ClintonO
It is nice to know that this blog was being read and helping people.
With that in mind in has caused me to rethink my decision and therefore I am considering starting it up again.
However I am going to leave in the decision in the hands of the poker gods!
I had a post on here from David who has vowed to ensure that he sends me the money from our deal at the caribbean, which is good news as I could really do with it, but as yet I have not received it.
I have decided that if I receive the money I will use this money completely as a bankroll for playing poker and therefore will continue writing. If I don't receive the money then I will not continue down this path and do something else instead.
So if it happens I look forward to seeing you soon, if not then good luck to one and all.
Regardless of what happens, have a wonderful christmas!
ClintonO
Saturday, November 29, 2008
My Final Post
It is with great sadness that I have decided to end my poker blog.
The main aim of my blog has always been to help others and to give an insight into the world of poker and try to help others on this difficult path.
It seems that no matter how hard you try to help, there are plenty of anonymous people that want to shoot you down, regardless of what the circumstances or how you try to help people make a living from what is ultimately a very difficult game.
I wish all my friends in poker a very prosperous time.
I would also like to thank Mark Phillips aka _Marky_ who made a deal with me in the final event at the CPC for sticking to his word and paying me the percentage we agreed. It goes to show there is class in the poker playing world.
I hope David Lloyd the winner of the CPC shows the same class in coming forward with the 5% deal we agreed.
I have really enjoyed writing this blog as I know there are a number of people who have benefited greatly from my posts.
I apologize to Denlizliz for not posting our heads up match where he completely destroyed me, but I can't find the hand historys. If I manage to get hold of them, I will post them as a one off.
Please enjoy your poker and play within your means.
If anyone wishes to contact me for any advice or just to talk about poker then please email me on clinton.orchard@hotmail.co.uk.
I wish everyone the best of luck and I hope to see all my friends again soon.
Take care one and all
Clinton.
The main aim of my blog has always been to help others and to give an insight into the world of poker and try to help others on this difficult path.
It seems that no matter how hard you try to help, there are plenty of anonymous people that want to shoot you down, regardless of what the circumstances or how you try to help people make a living from what is ultimately a very difficult game.
I wish all my friends in poker a very prosperous time.
I would also like to thank Mark Phillips aka _Marky_ who made a deal with me in the final event at the CPC for sticking to his word and paying me the percentage we agreed. It goes to show there is class in the poker playing world.
I hope David Lloyd the winner of the CPC shows the same class in coming forward with the 5% deal we agreed.
I have really enjoyed writing this blog as I know there are a number of people who have benefited greatly from my posts.
I apologize to Denlizliz for not posting our heads up match where he completely destroyed me, but I can't find the hand historys. If I manage to get hold of them, I will post them as a one off.
Please enjoy your poker and play within your means.
If anyone wishes to contact me for any advice or just to talk about poker then please email me on clinton.orchard@hotmail.co.uk.
I wish everyone the best of luck and I hope to see all my friends again soon.
Take care one and all
Clinton.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
So that was the Caribbean
The CPC is over, forever or just another year is yet to be decided, but what a week.
So many great people and a lot of fun, but as for another cruise, thats not on my agenda.
So the rest of the week, I played the $500 and not the $1000. However I did not last long I could not lay down KK preflop and lost to AA.
The main event I did a lot better, but ended up going out in 31st place. Marky himself knocking me out calling my all in with 77, I had A8. Flop gave an Ace first card, but also a 7 and that was effectively it!
I did however do some good business, doing deals with Mark and also David Lloyd, who ended up 4th and 1st respectively. David played superbly all week and was a worthy winner.
Its a shame I could not also cash, but the small percentages in each of them, will provide some much needed funds to get the bankroll going for this attempt at playing poker. I look forward to receiving them so I can get cracking.
I have to thank Bruce at Littlewoods for again being so hospitable and also to Tony Cascarino, Michael Greco, Martin James and Dave Johnson who were great company all week, despite having to put up with me!!
I also ran a Beach Poccer tournament, which was a lot of fun, although the football section was played with the smallest goals in the world, meaning the highest scoring game was 1-0!
Photos and results will be on the website shortly.
So what have I learnt this week about poker.
Some players will play any two cards, some people are much better live than online, whilst others are much better the other way around.
Live Poker is a slow game, in the second level of the main event we played 8 hands in 45 minutes, thats not even a full orbit.
Some tables were serious, some were a fantastic laugh, but like online poker the fundamentals are still the same.
At the end of the day its about your table perception, position and your confidence levels.
So whats next for me, well I still have a lot of stuff to sort out over the next couple of months, before I can settle down full time at this game.
I still want to qualify for these big events, I love vegas to pieces, but my main aim, is to get good enough to have a good stab at the EPT Monte Carlo event. In the meantime its about earning enough money to keep myself going.
I wish everyone all the best, there were some fantastic players in the Caribbean and getting better at this game is going to be very difficult as everyone keeps improving.
All the best everyone.
ClintonO
So many great people and a lot of fun, but as for another cruise, thats not on my agenda.
So the rest of the week, I played the $500 and not the $1000. However I did not last long I could not lay down KK preflop and lost to AA.
The main event I did a lot better, but ended up going out in 31st place. Marky himself knocking me out calling my all in with 77, I had A8. Flop gave an Ace first card, but also a 7 and that was effectively it!
I did however do some good business, doing deals with Mark and also David Lloyd, who ended up 4th and 1st respectively. David played superbly all week and was a worthy winner.
Its a shame I could not also cash, but the small percentages in each of them, will provide some much needed funds to get the bankroll going for this attempt at playing poker. I look forward to receiving them so I can get cracking.
I have to thank Bruce at Littlewoods for again being so hospitable and also to Tony Cascarino, Michael Greco, Martin James and Dave Johnson who were great company all week, despite having to put up with me!!
I also ran a Beach Poccer tournament, which was a lot of fun, although the football section was played with the smallest goals in the world, meaning the highest scoring game was 1-0!
Photos and results will be on the website shortly.
So what have I learnt this week about poker.
Some players will play any two cards, some people are much better live than online, whilst others are much better the other way around.
Live Poker is a slow game, in the second level of the main event we played 8 hands in 45 minutes, thats not even a full orbit.
Some tables were serious, some were a fantastic laugh, but like online poker the fundamentals are still the same.
At the end of the day its about your table perception, position and your confidence levels.
So whats next for me, well I still have a lot of stuff to sort out over the next couple of months, before I can settle down full time at this game.
I still want to qualify for these big events, I love vegas to pieces, but my main aim, is to get good enough to have a good stab at the EPT Monte Carlo event. In the meantime its about earning enough money to keep myself going.
I wish everyone all the best, there were some fantastic players in the Caribbean and getting better at this game is going to be very difficult as everyone keeps improving.
All the best everyone.
ClintonO
Thursday, November 20, 2008
A caribbean peformance!
Last night was the satellite for the main cpc event.
I thought I would give it a go and see what happens.
I decided that I should try and do things differently. Instead of being quiet at the table, I thought I would change my table image and get involved.
I was buying the table drinks and generally just trying to have a lot of fun whilst I was playing.
I definitely annoyed a few people! But I had decided to represent a certain image and therefore had to go along with it. So a quick apology to anyone I upset, I was just acting out a role!
So onto the game, there were 12 seats available for the main event and I am very happy to say that I managed to win my $2700 seat and $10!
The hand that set me up was when I had AK in the big blind. There was one raiser mid position, a reraise from the cutoff and I decided to push.
The original raiser folded and after a while the cutoff called with KQ. I was suprised at his hand but delighted when the board did not bring a Q.
From that moment, I just did what I needed to do to win a seat. It got a bit tense for everyone with 14 left, as the short stacks kept doubling, but eventually 12 remained and we all got seats.
So tomorrow I will be sitting down a the main event.
Its the $550 tonight, so I will playing in that one later tonight.
ClintonO
I thought I would give it a go and see what happens.
I decided that I should try and do things differently. Instead of being quiet at the table, I thought I would change my table image and get involved.
I was buying the table drinks and generally just trying to have a lot of fun whilst I was playing.
I definitely annoyed a few people! But I had decided to represent a certain image and therefore had to go along with it. So a quick apology to anyone I upset, I was just acting out a role!
So onto the game, there were 12 seats available for the main event and I am very happy to say that I managed to win my $2700 seat and $10!
The hand that set me up was when I had AK in the big blind. There was one raiser mid position, a reraise from the cutoff and I decided to push.
The original raiser folded and after a while the cutoff called with KQ. I was suprised at his hand but delighted when the board did not bring a Q.
From that moment, I just did what I needed to do to win a seat. It got a bit tense for everyone with 14 left, as the short stacks kept doubling, but eventually 12 remained and we all got seats.
So tomorrow I will be sitting down a the main event.
Its the $550 tonight, so I will playing in that one later tonight.
ClintonO
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
No defence of the title!
It's no back to back titles for me!
On Monday it was the $330 and $440 tournaments, the tournaments that I reached the final table in last year and won the $440. Well not this year!
I don't think I have ever played as well live as I did in the $330, moving from 3k starting stack to 11k at the end of level 3 and up to 16k at the end of level 5. I even had pocket kings and won, I think thats a new record for me at the CPC. However it all went horribly wrong with a big blind special that lost to Aces.
I was feeling good as the $440 tournament arrived later that evening. Only to find myself amongsts crypto legends as Westpark and Denlizliz.
I had a real up and down first few levels and had slipped to about 2.5k of my original 4k, when I raised with KJ. I had one caller and the board was KKA.
I was hoping to somehow to get my chips in the middle and incredibly they did. However I did not put him on KQ! and that was the end of that one!
I decided to play a sit n go, whilst I was waiting for a few other players and made a decision to play the exact opposite of how I should!
It went very wrong in the first hand after I was messing about with 95, but I decided to continue with my backwards tactics.
With just 750 chips left, I raised to 125 with 73 from 2nd position. One caller and then a raise to 375. I decided to flat call half my stack.
The flop comes 7J3 and he puts me all in. He turns over AA and the turn was then a 3 giving me a full house.
I continued this tactic, calling two short stacks all in with 46 off and knocked them both out after hitting trip fours.
I even manage to reraise all in and win with 72 against a monster 85!
I eventually came 3rd after I started playing properly, should have folded AJ preflop!
Who says there is no luck in poker!! I just have to decide whether to pursue this tactic further!
Yesterday was a non-playing day, so I spent the day in the gym and spa before having a few drinks later on.
I have not made up my mind about cruises yet, the weather is really overcast and I keep spending money! The good thing is that there are so many good people on this trip and almost everyone is here to enjoy themselves. So I will reserve my judgement for now.
Tonight it is the 2nd supersatellite, $270 entry, $100 rebuy and $100 double add-on.
Thursday is beach poccer and the $550.
I will update this again on Friday and hope that my ambition to be the number one poker player with the surname Orchard in the world has not been shattered for this year!!
ClintonO
On Monday it was the $330 and $440 tournaments, the tournaments that I reached the final table in last year and won the $440. Well not this year!
I don't think I have ever played as well live as I did in the $330, moving from 3k starting stack to 11k at the end of level 3 and up to 16k at the end of level 5. I even had pocket kings and won, I think thats a new record for me at the CPC. However it all went horribly wrong with a big blind special that lost to Aces.
I was feeling good as the $440 tournament arrived later that evening. Only to find myself amongsts crypto legends as Westpark and Denlizliz.
I had a real up and down first few levels and had slipped to about 2.5k of my original 4k, when I raised with KJ. I had one caller and the board was KKA.
I was hoping to somehow to get my chips in the middle and incredibly they did. However I did not put him on KQ! and that was the end of that one!
I decided to play a sit n go, whilst I was waiting for a few other players and made a decision to play the exact opposite of how I should!
It went very wrong in the first hand after I was messing about with 95, but I decided to continue with my backwards tactics.
With just 750 chips left, I raised to 125 with 73 from 2nd position. One caller and then a raise to 375. I decided to flat call half my stack.
The flop comes 7J3 and he puts me all in. He turns over AA and the turn was then a 3 giving me a full house.
I continued this tactic, calling two short stacks all in with 46 off and knocked them both out after hitting trip fours.
I even manage to reraise all in and win with 72 against a monster 85!
I eventually came 3rd after I started playing properly, should have folded AJ preflop!
Who says there is no luck in poker!! I just have to decide whether to pursue this tactic further!
Yesterday was a non-playing day, so I spent the day in the gym and spa before having a few drinks later on.
I have not made up my mind about cruises yet, the weather is really overcast and I keep spending money! The good thing is that there are so many good people on this trip and almost everyone is here to enjoy themselves. So I will reserve my judgement for now.
Tonight it is the 2nd supersatellite, $270 entry, $100 rebuy and $100 double add-on.
Thursday is beach poccer and the $550.
I will update this again on Friday and hope that my ambition to be the number one poker player with the surname Orchard in the world has not been shattered for this year!!
ClintonO
Monday, November 17, 2008
Caribbean Poker Classic - The Cruise
Well CPC V is upon is and this is my fourth consectutive visit to the tournament.
This year it is on a cruise ship called Freedom of the Seas.
I flew out to Miami on Saturday and had a day there, half to say from what I saw I am liking Miami a lot!
Boarded the ship Sunday Afternoon - wow what a ship, absolutely incredible. There is literally everything you can think of on this ship!
Although I must say, it could be a little calmer! Either the entire ship is drunk or these seas are stormy!
The first tournament was tonight the $270 qualifier in the main event. This however was a little different to planned as they introduced rebuys for $100 and a double add-on for another $100, so it effectively might as well have been a $470 freezeout.
I dont know how many players we started with but there was 135 rebuys and 85 add ons, so I am guessing a little over a hundred.
I lasted until the end of level 6. The first 3 levels were generally very tight, most raises got through. I played a number of speculative hands, but never really made much progress, moving between 1500-3500 in chips.
I lost a few at the end of level 3 with my only pair of the day 33. Got called by T9 on a 642 board. Turn T river T. lol
So at the first break I had 2k, plus my 3k addon.
At level 4 a new player arrived on the table and bet every single hand. With blinds at 100-200, he raised to 1100, I put him all in with JT, he thought for ages and folded KJ!
Following he played every hand, which made poker a little difficult, but he only lasted 2 levels.
In level six with Antes up at 50 and blinds at 200/400 it was becoming expensive. I raised with QT in the cutoff for the short stack to move all in. I could not fold for the amount and faced AJ. However every card was 9 or under. This left me crippled and when I pushed at the first available opportunity I was called by 55 and AK and that was it.
So a slow start, but with two tournaments tomorrow, I am hoping to do a lot better.
I am blaming tonight on exhaustion and this ship!
ClintonO
This year it is on a cruise ship called Freedom of the Seas.
I flew out to Miami on Saturday and had a day there, half to say from what I saw I am liking Miami a lot!
Boarded the ship Sunday Afternoon - wow what a ship, absolutely incredible. There is literally everything you can think of on this ship!
Although I must say, it could be a little calmer! Either the entire ship is drunk or these seas are stormy!
The first tournament was tonight the $270 qualifier in the main event. This however was a little different to planned as they introduced rebuys for $100 and a double add-on for another $100, so it effectively might as well have been a $470 freezeout.
I dont know how many players we started with but there was 135 rebuys and 85 add ons, so I am guessing a little over a hundred.
I lasted until the end of level 6. The first 3 levels were generally very tight, most raises got through. I played a number of speculative hands, but never really made much progress, moving between 1500-3500 in chips.
I lost a few at the end of level 3 with my only pair of the day 33. Got called by T9 on a 642 board. Turn T river T. lol
So at the first break I had 2k, plus my 3k addon.
At level 4 a new player arrived on the table and bet every single hand. With blinds at 100-200, he raised to 1100, I put him all in with JT, he thought for ages and folded KJ!
Following he played every hand, which made poker a little difficult, but he only lasted 2 levels.
In level six with Antes up at 50 and blinds at 200/400 it was becoming expensive. I raised with QT in the cutoff for the short stack to move all in. I could not fold for the amount and faced AJ. However every card was 9 or under. This left me crippled and when I pushed at the first available opportunity I was called by 55 and AK and that was it.
So a slow start, but with two tournaments tomorrow, I am hoping to do a lot better.
I am blaming tonight on exhaustion and this ship!
ClintonO
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Starting Over
Poker is one of things that is hard to get right.
You need to play reguarly to give you confidence in your game, yet you need confidence to play your optimum game.
Thats why when your playing well and confident, you should not stop playing!
Right now for me its about rebuilding that confidence.
Since I have started playing again, its gone ok. I played a dozen or so tournaments a couple of weeks back and won 4 of them. Now these were not big tournaments, but they helped me believe that I can still play this game.
I have played 4 small tournaments this week since leaving my job, I have had 3 FTs and bubbled in one, so I believe that the basics are there. I even won a STT! lol!
Today I am going to play some more and see what happens.
I have made one fundamental change to my game and that is to believe in myself a little more.
I have in the past been a little cautious, but one thing I have learnt during this year is that you can play everything perfectly and still end up a loser.
So there is no point being afraid to lose. I don't mean by playing recklessly or not folding when you don't have the real or implied odds to do carry on, but by backing your beliefs. I will still play my game, but I will trust my instincts a lot more and if that means going out first hand or on the bubble, then so be it.
A quick thank you already to the guys that have wished me well. I would love to catch up with you all soon, let me know how you are getting on and what you have been doing.
Right now for me, the aim is get some poker minutes in before the Caribbean, which incredibly is only 3 days away!
If you see me on the tables, don't forget to say hi!
ClintonO
You need to play reguarly to give you confidence in your game, yet you need confidence to play your optimum game.
Thats why when your playing well and confident, you should not stop playing!
Right now for me its about rebuilding that confidence.
Since I have started playing again, its gone ok. I played a dozen or so tournaments a couple of weeks back and won 4 of them. Now these were not big tournaments, but they helped me believe that I can still play this game.
I have played 4 small tournaments this week since leaving my job, I have had 3 FTs and bubbled in one, so I believe that the basics are there. I even won a STT! lol!
Today I am going to play some more and see what happens.
I have made one fundamental change to my game and that is to believe in myself a little more.
I have in the past been a little cautious, but one thing I have learnt during this year is that you can play everything perfectly and still end up a loser.
So there is no point being afraid to lose. I don't mean by playing recklessly or not folding when you don't have the real or implied odds to do carry on, but by backing your beliefs. I will still play my game, but I will trust my instincts a lot more and if that means going out first hand or on the bubble, then so be it.
A quick thank you already to the guys that have wished me well. I would love to catch up with you all soon, let me know how you are getting on and what you have been doing.
Right now for me, the aim is get some poker minutes in before the Caribbean, which incredibly is only 3 days away!
If you see me on the tables, don't forget to say hi!
ClintonO
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
A New Beginning
Well its good to be back!
I hope everyone is well and has been enjoying themselves and their poker.
I enjoyed writing my blog because I believed it helped some people and many said it was a good read.
So apologies for being away, but I am now back.
A quick explanation is in order I feel, without too much details!
I always felt 2008 was going to be the year that defined my life, I just did not realise the ramifications of it!
2008 has hit me very hard indeed, I have pretty much lost most things that mattered to me and its now time to start all over again.
But don't worry you can't keep a good guy down for too long.
The Caribbean Poker Classic is only a few days away and its time to get playing again.
I have played very little poker since the Summer, I guess I did not want to lose that from my life as well!
I remember saying to my football team, well at least I have still have my football, five minutes later I broke my foot! LOL. So you can see why I have been careful with Poker!
So for those of you going to the Caribbean, I look forward to catching up, if not I will catch you online soon.
I will be posting on here regularly now, so please check back in soon.
Take Care
ClintonO
I hope everyone is well and has been enjoying themselves and their poker.
I enjoyed writing my blog because I believed it helped some people and many said it was a good read.
So apologies for being away, but I am now back.
A quick explanation is in order I feel, without too much details!
I always felt 2008 was going to be the year that defined my life, I just did not realise the ramifications of it!
2008 has hit me very hard indeed, I have pretty much lost most things that mattered to me and its now time to start all over again.
But don't worry you can't keep a good guy down for too long.
The Caribbean Poker Classic is only a few days away and its time to get playing again.
I have played very little poker since the Summer, I guess I did not want to lose that from my life as well!
I remember saying to my football team, well at least I have still have my football, five minutes later I broke my foot! LOL. So you can see why I have been careful with Poker!
So for those of you going to the Caribbean, I look forward to catching up, if not I will catch you online soon.
I will be posting on here regularly now, so please check back in soon.
Take Care
ClintonO
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Return Date
Clintons Cards will return again later this year.
The expected return date is Monday November 10th.
ClintonO
The expected return date is Monday November 10th.
ClintonO
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Day 6 - Congratulations to UriG
Once again a member of the party performs well. UriG taking home $8500 for 2nd place in the 304 runner $200 at the Orleans. Very well done indeed. They took a chop with 3 remaining.
I played in this tournament for 5 and a half hours and 8 levels. I never got a pair or an ace with a better kicker than a ten, so it was a real grind. I played well enough, fighting and scrapping for every chip I could get. With 80 players left and the blinds shooting up to 600/1200, holding 8k, I moved from the button with QT, small blind has JJ, AK4, board give me 2 more outs to the three kings, the turn was a King giving me 3 more aces as outs, but the river was another King.
I felt I played a lot better today and will have one last stab tomorrow in the $500 at Caesars. Tonight however belongs to UriG, a fantastic performance. He had just less than me with 80 left, so it just goes to show what can be done.
So far it is just me letting the side down! Tomorrow is a big day.
I would also like to say another well done to Dave 'Dog' Duncan from our Poccer Player team, who won a satellite into the main event yesterday, I wish him all the best today!
ClintonO
I played in this tournament for 5 and a half hours and 8 levels. I never got a pair or an ace with a better kicker than a ten, so it was a real grind. I played well enough, fighting and scrapping for every chip I could get. With 80 players left and the blinds shooting up to 600/1200, holding 8k, I moved from the button with QT, small blind has JJ, AK4, board give me 2 more outs to the three kings, the turn was a King giving me 3 more aces as outs, but the river was another King.
I felt I played a lot better today and will have one last stab tomorrow in the $500 at Caesars. Tonight however belongs to UriG, a fantastic performance. He had just less than me with 80 left, so it just goes to show what can be done.
So far it is just me letting the side down! Tomorrow is a big day.
I would also like to say another well done to Dave 'Dog' Duncan from our Poccer Player team, who won a satellite into the main event yesterday, I wish him all the best today!
ClintonO
Day 5 - Rest Day
Day 5 was the rest day. We all went out for a big night, before that we decided that the 7 of us in the party would play in a donkament at the Monte Carlo to raise some funds for the evening.
I am very pleased to say we managed the 1-2, with Fenners and Uri taking home $1300 between them.
I once again failed miserably! Two key hands, one I raised with AJ, 1 caller. Flop AQJ.
I bet, he calls. Turn 4 I bet, he calls. River K. I put a small bet in, he goes all in. I fold and he shows 8-T for the straight.
In the next level I raise again with AJ, 1 caller behind me. Flop is KJ3, I know he does not have a king, so I check to let him bet at me, he moves all, I call. He has 88 and the turn is an 8.
Brilliant!
ClintonO
I am very pleased to say we managed the 1-2, with Fenners and Uri taking home $1300 between them.
I once again failed miserably! Two key hands, one I raised with AJ, 1 caller. Flop AQJ.
I bet, he calls. Turn 4 I bet, he calls. River K. I put a small bet in, he goes all in. I fold and he shows 8-T for the straight.
In the next level I raise again with AJ, 1 caller behind me. Flop is KJ3, I know he does not have a king, so I check to let him bet at me, he moves all, I call. He has 88 and the turn is an 8.
Brilliant!
ClintonO
Friday, July 04, 2008
Day 4 - Congrats to Rusty
Day 4 was the $210 at Binions with just 152 players.
6k starting stack was the order of the day.
Just 3 of the party played this event and congrats goes to Rusty who made the money finishing in 14th place for $525.
I just had one of those days where nothing went right at all.
First hand Qh9h, Flop Qc9c7h. I reraise, Turn Tc, I try and take pot there - called, river Jc. I have to fold.
Second hand, KK on the button, everyone folds to me, the two on my left have not sat down yet!
The game was a funny one, average players in each pot was 6. One hand was raised 8 x the blinds and got 7 callers!
I also saw someone check down the flop when he had the stone cold nuts, incredible stuff.
I fought my way between 4-7k for most of my time in the tournament.
The hand that took most of my chips, saw me call a raise and 2 other calls wih QT in the big blind.
Flop is QT3, initial raiser pushes all in, I call he has KQ and the next card out is a K.
A days rest today as we prepare for a big July 4th party, but two more tournaments to go, to try and achieve something on this trip!
ClintonO
6k starting stack was the order of the day.
Just 3 of the party played this event and congrats goes to Rusty who made the money finishing in 14th place for $525.
I just had one of those days where nothing went right at all.
First hand Qh9h, Flop Qc9c7h. I reraise, Turn Tc, I try and take pot there - called, river Jc. I have to fold.
Second hand, KK on the button, everyone folds to me, the two on my left have not sat down yet!
The game was a funny one, average players in each pot was 6. One hand was raised 8 x the blinds and got 7 callers!
I also saw someone check down the flop when he had the stone cold nuts, incredible stuff.
I fought my way between 4-7k for most of my time in the tournament.
The hand that took most of my chips, saw me call a raise and 2 other calls wih QT in the big blind.
Flop is QT3, initial raiser pushes all in, I call he has KQ and the next card out is a K.
A days rest today as we prepare for a big July 4th party, but two more tournaments to go, to try and achieve something on this trip!
ClintonO
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Vegas 08 Update Day 1-3
Vegas is surely the greatest place in the world.
I have spent 3 days here so far including the arrival day and I am absolutely exhausted.
There is simply too much that you just have to do.
No internet connection for two days has meant not being unable to update anything, but a room change has solved that one.
Having too much to do means that Poker often gets overlooked, even if that is the primary purpose of the trip.
I have played two tournaments so far, with little success.
On Day 2, I played the $340 at the Venetian, where you started with a very healthy 12k in chips and 40 mins on the clock.
738 players! took part with a prize pool of $213k!
Of our party 4 of us decided to play this event.
I decided I was not going to play my usual game to start with and just play as many pots as possible in the attempt of hitting something big. I believe I manage to miss every single flop! I ended up at the first break [end of level 3] pretty much where I started at 13k. 2 hours of play later I was just keeping up with play and had moved to 15k. No significant hands, just picking opportunties to take the blinds.
By level 8, the blinds were becoming significant, I just lost a race against a short stack, I put him all in with AK and lost to TT. This left me on 12k.
Loose guy with dodgy moustache raises to 2.5k, I see pocket tens, as he plays pretty much everything, I was prepared to put my chips in. He has about the same as me in chips. Rock women then moves all in for 9k, so I decide now I am in trouble. Moustache guy, says well QJ is a good hand for value!!! so hes all in too.
Rock turns over AQ and its TT vs AQ vs QJ
8 high non-connecting rainbow flop, K on turn, come on one time! River J. Boom! game over.
Still not sure how he called with QJ not thinking he was completely dominated, but thats poker!
Unfortunately none of my group managed to get past level 8 either and day 1 was a wash-out!
The winner got a massive $59k! A seasoned pro from Canada.
Some of the rest of our group, did bring in some cash though! Mouse finished 3rd in the $45 at O'Sheas for $245 and Fenners doubled his money in a $60 STT so it was not a total loss!
Day 3 - $235 at Caesars - Just under 600 for this one, 7.5k in chips. 50 minute levels.
5 of us played this one, despite having just 4 hours sleep!
I started fairly badly, again trying to play a few different types of hands, to not much avail.
After the first break I had slipped to 5k. The next levels saw some improvement, I had my first big hand of the week in KK and took out a short stack holding AK and shortly after took out another when he pushed all in with JJ on a K3d2d, when I was holding AdKd.
At the end of level 4, I was up to 18k and feeling good.
With blinds escalating quickly, up to 400/800, I turn over AhKh. I raise to 2.8k. Massive fish opposite me (had previously called a 1ok all in with A2 - splite pot, a 8k all in with A6 - lost and another 8k all in with KJ - beat AA, flop was KJK!] moves all in for another 7k.
I am putting half my chips on the line, I figure the worst I situation I have is two over cards and decide to make the call.
He turns over QQ, the best hand I believe he could have, hit my King, but its followed by a Queen.
I work my way back up to 13k, when I get AQ. Newish player to the table raises to 3.2k, seems steady, but 3.2k feels a bit high, so I decide he wants the pot there and then and decide to push all in.
Its about half his stack, he thinks for about 5 mins, before finally calling with JJ. A King and a ten give me a couple more outs, but I just know races are not my thing, the next two cards are no help and its another no cash for me.
UriG put in the best performance within the party finishing just outside the money in 65th, when his KK was beaten by QQ [Q on turn]
Its off to Binions today for the $210, it will be a smaller field of around 250, but today we are after a cash to boost morale in the camp!
ClintonO
I have spent 3 days here so far including the arrival day and I am absolutely exhausted.
There is simply too much that you just have to do.
No internet connection for two days has meant not being unable to update anything, but a room change has solved that one.
Having too much to do means that Poker often gets overlooked, even if that is the primary purpose of the trip.
I have played two tournaments so far, with little success.
On Day 2, I played the $340 at the Venetian, where you started with a very healthy 12k in chips and 40 mins on the clock.
738 players! took part with a prize pool of $213k!
Of our party 4 of us decided to play this event.
I decided I was not going to play my usual game to start with and just play as many pots as possible in the attempt of hitting something big. I believe I manage to miss every single flop! I ended up at the first break [end of level 3] pretty much where I started at 13k. 2 hours of play later I was just keeping up with play and had moved to 15k. No significant hands, just picking opportunties to take the blinds.
By level 8, the blinds were becoming significant, I just lost a race against a short stack, I put him all in with AK and lost to TT. This left me on 12k.
Loose guy with dodgy moustache raises to 2.5k, I see pocket tens, as he plays pretty much everything, I was prepared to put my chips in. He has about the same as me in chips. Rock women then moves all in for 9k, so I decide now I am in trouble. Moustache guy, says well QJ is a good hand for value!!! so hes all in too.
Rock turns over AQ and its TT vs AQ vs QJ
8 high non-connecting rainbow flop, K on turn, come on one time! River J. Boom! game over.
Still not sure how he called with QJ not thinking he was completely dominated, but thats poker!
Unfortunately none of my group managed to get past level 8 either and day 1 was a wash-out!
The winner got a massive $59k! A seasoned pro from Canada.
Some of the rest of our group, did bring in some cash though! Mouse finished 3rd in the $45 at O'Sheas for $245 and Fenners doubled his money in a $60 STT so it was not a total loss!
Day 3 - $235 at Caesars - Just under 600 for this one, 7.5k in chips. 50 minute levels.
5 of us played this one, despite having just 4 hours sleep!
I started fairly badly, again trying to play a few different types of hands, to not much avail.
After the first break I had slipped to 5k. The next levels saw some improvement, I had my first big hand of the week in KK and took out a short stack holding AK and shortly after took out another when he pushed all in with JJ on a K3d2d, when I was holding AdKd.
At the end of level 4, I was up to 18k and feeling good.
With blinds escalating quickly, up to 400/800, I turn over AhKh. I raise to 2.8k. Massive fish opposite me (had previously called a 1ok all in with A2 - splite pot, a 8k all in with A6 - lost and another 8k all in with KJ - beat AA, flop was KJK!] moves all in for another 7k.
I am putting half my chips on the line, I figure the worst I situation I have is two over cards and decide to make the call.
He turns over QQ, the best hand I believe he could have, hit my King, but its followed by a Queen.
I work my way back up to 13k, when I get AQ. Newish player to the table raises to 3.2k, seems steady, but 3.2k feels a bit high, so I decide he wants the pot there and then and decide to push all in.
Its about half his stack, he thinks for about 5 mins, before finally calling with JJ. A King and a ten give me a couple more outs, but I just know races are not my thing, the next two cards are no help and its another no cash for me.
UriG put in the best performance within the party finishing just outside the money in 65th, when his KK was beaten by QQ [Q on turn]
Its off to Binions today for the $210, it will be a smaller field of around 250, but today we are after a cash to boost morale in the camp!
ClintonO
Saturday, June 28, 2008
A little publicity
Nothing like a little local publicity before I head over to Vegas.
This could be found on the front page of the best selling local newspaper, the St.Ives Weekly News!
Heres hoping for bigger things in the near future!
ClintonO
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The POCCER PLAYERS #8 Ewan Hardie
Mr Ewan Hardie. Seen here guest appearing in Poccer 2 (Top row - 2nd) for the Angels of Helsby.Ewan has been in the Dream Team since season 1 and was one of the players who ensured victory in the first ever event, winning a package at the Asian Poker Tour, where he finished 7th in one of the side events.
Prior to that a deep finish in the Caribbean Poker Classic in 2005, is proof of his live ability.
Ewan has since been signed up by Bad Beat as a trader and plays mostly cash games at present.
By his standards Ewan has not had the best year, with just 7 finishes in the points, including one 5th place and 5,210.
Ewan has a lot of work to do, to earn a place in the team for the live final (Top 6 players will represent the team), but it is something he is more than capable of.
ClintonO
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