Its the end of March and its time to reflect on the month.
This month has been quite surreal, becoming a local celebrity has been fantastic! Once again big thanks to Littlewoods and I hope they got a lot out of it also.
On the playing front, I have played a lot better than my results have suggested. Too many times, the odds of gone against me.
However the records show+£1.7k for the month (6th best from 8) and an 8 month total of +£18k.
I expected this month to be lower than normal, as my main aim is qualification for the world series, so my concentration has been there.
April has the potential to start well, with the LOQ final tomorrow and the $600k on Sunday.
But it is time to stand up and be counted. The pressure to get my world series seat is considerable, especially with all the PR and expectations of my family, the wonderful Littlewoods and especially from myself.
I have been experimenting with many styles of play over the last month, so I can adapt to whatever situation I find myself in and as a result I do feel more comfortable in different situations.
My aims for April -
1) Secure World Series seat - It is important to be playing in at least one final each weekend where I can play. So that means either the LOQ on Saturday, or World Series on Sunday.
2) Top Twenty finish in the £50k - I am finding my Sunday performances quite disappointing, I believe that after I have given my all playing football on Sunday morning, I am not at my best on Sundays. I have two weeks without a game this month, so I will see whether results improve
3) Two Final Table finishes in the £15k - I have not been in the top 5 in this tournament since early Feb, and I would like to improve my performance here.
4) Post a top two month profit record - +£3k is the target.
This is an important month, but I don't care whether I hit targets 2,3 and 4, as long as I hit number one.
Take Care
ClintonO
Friday, March 31, 2006
Thursday, March 30, 2006
25 Not Out
Tonight I cashed in the 15k for the 25th time since I started keeping records. Disappointingly I only finished 24th and took home £75, but the manner in which I played was pleasing.
I suffered a big knock back when my Jacks were called by Ace 8 and lost to an ace on the river.
I didn't get many cards tonight, so it was a matter of being creative when I needed to be.
I am still pleased with my game and feel I have been playing well for most of the month. I feel though I do need a nice win to reward me for my play so far.
I went out when my pocket eights ran into jacks and didn't get any help.
Littlewoods have kindly moved the Player points free rolls to 7.30pm, so that gives me another avenue to qualify for the world series, I will play in that one tomorrow.
Still hoping for a big weekend
ClintonO
I suffered a big knock back when my Jacks were called by Ace 8 and lost to an ace on the river.
I didn't get many cards tonight, so it was a matter of being creative when I needed to be.
I am still pleased with my game and feel I have been playing well for most of the month. I feel though I do need a nice win to reward me for my play so far.
I went out when my pocket eights ran into jacks and didn't get any help.
Littlewoods have kindly moved the Player points free rolls to 7.30pm, so that gives me another avenue to qualify for the world series, I will play in that one tomorrow.
Still hoping for a big weekend
ClintonO
Here comes the weekend!
I am hoping for a couple of nice results over the next two days, as I frequently end the month well and would like to push the monthly winnings up.
However the key focus for me is the Weekend.
On Saturday I am in the $750 LOQ final, with a World Series place for the winner. I qualified for this by winning a $15 qualifier last night. I was particularly pleased with these, as when I started the Heads up I had 6k in chips compared to the other guy with 36k.
Also on Saturday Night is the $140 world series qualifier for the $1000 final on Sunday.
Sunday brings the $1050 World Series final (hopefully), the $600k six pack tournament and the £50k tournament (recently increased from £40k).
These all have a lot of potential to get April off to a flying start and get my World Series seat secured.
ClintonO
However the key focus for me is the Weekend.
On Saturday I am in the $750 LOQ final, with a World Series place for the winner. I qualified for this by winning a $15 qualifier last night. I was particularly pleased with these, as when I started the Heads up I had 6k in chips compared to the other guy with 36k.
Also on Saturday Night is the $140 world series qualifier for the $1000 final on Sunday.
Sunday brings the $1050 World Series final (hopefully), the $600k six pack tournament and the £50k tournament (recently increased from £40k).
These all have a lot of potential to get April off to a flying start and get my World Series seat secured.
ClintonO
Monday, March 27, 2006
How do you know when its not your night?
15k - The first decent hand you have is KK and you run into Aces.
WS qualifier - You pick up KK, get two people all in on a 968 flop and you are up against JJ and A8 and the river is a J.
50k qualifier - You get QQ, hit a third Queen on the flop, and get put all in by AK, who hits a Jack and Ten to give him a straight.
Same time tomorrow then!
ClintonO
WS qualifier - You pick up KK, get two people all in on a 968 flop and you are up against JJ and A8 and the river is a J.
50k qualifier - You get QQ, hit a third Queen on the flop, and get put all in by AK, who hits a Jack and Ten to give him a straight.
Same time tomorrow then!
ClintonO
Sunday, March 26, 2006
No seat yet!
The $1000 World Series qualifier, did not quite have the desired result this evening.
40 players, with 2 seats available, was a tough ask with the quality of players playing.
The first hour was fairly uneventful and I ended up pretty much where I started with 2500 chips, the second hour was better, moving me on to 5000 chips. At this point there was 20 people left and I was sitting in about 10th.
The third hour was where it all went wrong. I was sitting with 77 in the Big Blind. The small blind went all in and it was 700 more to call. He turned over 87 suited and hit an 8 on the flop.
Two hands later on the button I had 10,10 and raised 3 times the blind, the small blind went all in for another 1800, I decided to call, he turned over A8, but an Ace was the first card out.
I fought my way back into it and with 14 remaining, I made a move on the button with QJ suited and unfortunately the chip leader had KQ and that was the tournament over.
It is dissapointing to not have anything to show for a couple of great days play, but if I can keep this level of play up, then I hope to be having another go next week. With the $600k tournament also next weekend, there is lots to be playing for.
ClintonO
40 players, with 2 seats available, was a tough ask with the quality of players playing.
The first hour was fairly uneventful and I ended up pretty much where I started with 2500 chips, the second hour was better, moving me on to 5000 chips. At this point there was 20 people left and I was sitting in about 10th.
The third hour was where it all went wrong. I was sitting with 77 in the Big Blind. The small blind went all in and it was 700 more to call. He turned over 87 suited and hit an 8 on the flop.
Two hands later on the button I had 10,10 and raised 3 times the blind, the small blind went all in for another 1800, I decided to call, he turned over A8, but an Ace was the first card out.
I fought my way back into it and with 14 remaining, I made a move on the button with QJ suited and unfortunately the chip leader had KQ and that was the tournament over.
It is dissapointing to not have anything to show for a couple of great days play, but if I can keep this level of play up, then I hope to be having another go next week. With the $600k tournament also next weekend, there is lots to be playing for.
ClintonO
Mothers Day!
Today has been a good day. Aside from waking up with a hangover, I have had some good results today.
I won a £20STT to start the day off and then entered a £20 MTT.
Out of 94 runners I came 3rd, taking home £240. March total back at +£1.3k.
However it is the World Series qualifiers I have been most pleased with.
I started off in $25 Level 1 qualifier at 9pm and succesfully got through that one.
The $140 Level 2 qualifier started at 00:30 and with the clocks going forward it was going to be a long night!
Well at 4:23 am I won the qualifier and now take my place in the $1000 World Series final for a place in the main event later today at 6pm. There are currently 22 entered, so I suspect there will be 2 seats available.
A world series for £15 would be very nice!
Time to get some sleep!
One tiny quirk of fate, last year I qualified for Vegas on Fathers Day, today it is Mothers Day. Too much of a coincidence?!?! Game on!
ClintonO
I won a £20STT to start the day off and then entered a £20 MTT.
Out of 94 runners I came 3rd, taking home £240. March total back at +£1.3k.
However it is the World Series qualifiers I have been most pleased with.
I started off in $25 Level 1 qualifier at 9pm and succesfully got through that one.
The $140 Level 2 qualifier started at 00:30 and with the clocks going forward it was going to be a long night!
Well at 4:23 am I won the qualifier and now take my place in the $1000 World Series final for a place in the main event later today at 6pm. There are currently 22 entered, so I suspect there will be 2 seats available.
A world series for £15 would be very nice!
Time to get some sleep!
One tiny quirk of fate, last year I qualified for Vegas on Fathers Day, today it is Mothers Day. Too much of a coincidence?!?! Game on!
ClintonO
Friday, March 24, 2006
A Spell on me?
I continue to play well, but I currently feel I am cursed!
Tonight in the 10k. We are down to 33 people and I am dealt 88. I have 10k in chips, I raise to 2.4k. I get one caller.
Flop is 242, I bet 2.4k again and get raised all in. I call. The guy turns over 77. The turn is a 3. I am about take down a 22k pot and move into the top 6.
He only has two outs, the remaining sevens, That is a 2 in 44 chance. I am 95%+ certain to win. Only five times in a hundred should I lose. This is one of them. Again! By my maths, I therefore must win the next 92 to balance out the odds!
33rd - Just £35 into the bankroll.
My day must be close by!
ClintonO
Tonight in the 10k. We are down to 33 people and I am dealt 88. I have 10k in chips, I raise to 2.4k. I get one caller.
Flop is 242, I bet 2.4k again and get raised all in. I call. The guy turns over 77. The turn is a 3. I am about take down a 22k pot and move into the top 6.
He only has two outs, the remaining sevens, That is a 2 in 44 chance. I am 95%+ certain to win. Only five times in a hundred should I lose. This is one of them. Again! By my maths, I therefore must win the next 92 to balance out the odds!
33rd - Just £35 into the bankroll.
My day must be close by!
ClintonO
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Latest Press Article
My latest feature has been triggered on Google Alerts!
Here is an article about me from todays Cambridge Evening News.
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/huntingdon/2006/03/23/a47ecc26-0808-498c-8d52-14c58acd2227.lpf
Look out for the superimposed cards!
ClintonO
Here is an article about me from todays Cambridge Evening News.
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/huntingdon/2006/03/23/a47ecc26-0808-498c-8d52-14c58acd2227.lpf
Look out for the superimposed cards!
ClintonO
Bubble Boy Part 2
The curse of the Bubble continued last night in the all important World Series Level 2 qualifier.
With the top 7 winning themselves a seat in Sundays $1000 final, I found myself finishing in 8th place. The $592 prize for 8th was a small consolation, as I felt like I almost had one foot on the plane!
With 32 players remaining I found myself in last position and played one of my best ever short stacked games. By time it got to the last eight, the blinds were up to 1200/2400 with chip counts ranging from 10 - 32k.
I entered a pot with JT and had a great flop of T98, giving myself a top pair and an opened ended straight draw.
All in up against AQ, I thought that I had secured my seat in the final, as only an ace on the last two cards would see my departure, unfortunately the turn brought the Ace and I was out.
My consolation is that if I can maintain my current form, then some more big prizes cannot be too far away.
Media Update, a few more articles on me are appearing in regional press, here is one from the Hunts Post.
http://www.huntspost.co.uk/content/hunts/news/story.aspx?brand=HPTOnline&category=News&tBrand=cambs24&tCategory=NewsHPT&itemid=WEED22%20Mar%202006%2012%3A39%3A12%3A173
Take Care
ClintonO
With the top 7 winning themselves a seat in Sundays $1000 final, I found myself finishing in 8th place. The $592 prize for 8th was a small consolation, as I felt like I almost had one foot on the plane!
With 32 players remaining I found myself in last position and played one of my best ever short stacked games. By time it got to the last eight, the blinds were up to 1200/2400 with chip counts ranging from 10 - 32k.
I entered a pot with JT and had a great flop of T98, giving myself a top pair and an opened ended straight draw.
All in up against AQ, I thought that I had secured my seat in the final, as only an ace on the last two cards would see my departure, unfortunately the turn brought the Ace and I was out.
My consolation is that if I can maintain my current form, then some more big prizes cannot be too far away.
Media Update, a few more articles on me are appearing in regional press, here is one from the Hunts Post.
http://www.huntspost.co.uk/content/hunts/news/story.aspx?brand=HPTOnline&category=News&tBrand=cambs24&tCategory=NewsHPT&itemid=WEED22%20Mar%202006%2012%3A39%3A12%3A173
Take Care
ClintonO
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Bubble Boy
Tonight was a case of what might have been!
Again playing some excellent poker, I managed to qualify for the next stage of the World Series qualifiers, taking place on Wednesday night.
However, it was almost a great night, but I managed to bubble in both the LOQ and the $600k, which would have been worth another £600. The nut flush losing to Full House on the river and Kings to Jacks.
My game is really good at the moment, I am very confident that this will turn into some nice prizes soon. My total for March has slipped to +£1.1k after entering a number of tournaments over the last 7 days, but this should be easily improved upon over the next week.
My photo shoot for the Cambridge Evening News was completed tonight, so I should hopefully appear in there tomorrow.
I also pleased to say that one of the guys I am teaching to play came 4th in the 15k tonight, taking home £1,125! Nice one Fenners!
Wednesday 9.30pm World Series Level 2 qualifier $150 entry is the agenda tomorrow night, as I search for a place in the final qualifier on Sunday.
Its coming together
ClintonO
Again playing some excellent poker, I managed to qualify for the next stage of the World Series qualifiers, taking place on Wednesday night.
However, it was almost a great night, but I managed to bubble in both the LOQ and the $600k, which would have been worth another £600. The nut flush losing to Full House on the river and Kings to Jacks.
My game is really good at the moment, I am very confident that this will turn into some nice prizes soon. My total for March has slipped to +£1.1k after entering a number of tournaments over the last 7 days, but this should be easily improved upon over the next week.
My photo shoot for the Cambridge Evening News was completed tonight, so I should hopefully appear in there tomorrow.
I also pleased to say that one of the guys I am teaching to play came 4th in the 15k tonight, taking home £1,125! Nice one Fenners!
Wednesday 9.30pm World Series Level 2 qualifier $150 entry is the agenda tomorrow night, as I search for a place in the final qualifier on Sunday.
Its coming together
ClintonO
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Down to Business
The world series qualifying has just begun this week and now becomes my number one target in poker.
The last few days have been disappointing from a results point of view, but my game is still sound. Last nights elimination in the 15k summed it up. With just 50 players left I was holding JJ. Flop was J83 rainbow and I go out to a backdoor flush.
I am still confident that I am playing well enough to secure a world series sear and as soon as my hands start holding up, I can see some very positive results coming my way.
On the publicity front, I am currently awaiting a photographer from the Cambridge Evening News to take a few pictures of me, the feature should be in tomorrows edition. I imagine this will be last of the recent media frenzy and I can concentrate on winning some more tournaments!
See you on the tables
ClintonO
The last few days have been disappointing from a results point of view, but my game is still sound. Last nights elimination in the 15k summed it up. With just 50 players left I was holding JJ. Flop was J83 rainbow and I go out to a backdoor flush.
I am still confident that I am playing well enough to secure a world series sear and as soon as my hands start holding up, I can see some very positive results coming my way.
On the publicity front, I am currently awaiting a photographer from the Cambridge Evening News to take a few pictures of me, the feature should be in tomorrows edition. I imagine this will be last of the recent media frenzy and I can concentrate on winning some more tournaments!
See you on the tables
ClintonO
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Getting the Bad Beats out of the way!
I am continuing to play some good poker, but am getting undone by some bad luck.
I am hoping that by Sunday, all the bad beats will be out of the system!
Tonights 15k, saw me lose with JJ to 88 on a 443 flop, when going very nicely having doubled up early.
Last night, again going well, I was put all in with KK on a K87 flop. The guy turned over 88 and hit the final 8 on the turn!
To cap it off in a LOQ qualifier very late on, I rose pre flop with AA and then post flop, I was reraised all in on a 826 flop. The guy turns over 10,4. The following cards were 75! Not my night!
Its a big night tomorrow, so I will happily save my luck for then.
ClintonO
I am hoping that by Sunday, all the bad beats will be out of the system!
Tonights 15k, saw me lose with JJ to 88 on a 443 flop, when going very nicely having doubled up early.
Last night, again going well, I was put all in with KK on a K87 flop. The guy turned over 88 and hit the final 8 on the turn!
To cap it off in a LOQ qualifier very late on, I rose pre flop with AA and then post flop, I was reraised all in on a 826 flop. The guy turns over 10,4. The following cards were 75! Not my night!
Its a big night tomorrow, so I will happily save my luck for then.
ClintonO
Friday, March 17, 2006
Local Celebrity Special!
I hope you managed to catch my radio interviews this morning on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire (96.0 fm), I did two interviews one with the Cambridge division and then one with the Peterborough show.
I felt the Cambridge one went really well, the Peterborough was a little tougher, but overall they were both really enjoyable.
I am expecting to do an interview with the Cambridge Evening News later today and have a photoshoot to arrange, so the media coverage continues.
My article in the Biggleswade Chronicle hits the press today, so that will be an interesting one to read!
STOP PRESS! - BBC Look East have been in contact with me this morning, following my radio interview and are interested in doing a TV feature with me next week. That means my interview must have been quite good! Full Details to follow.
I will continue to push the wonderful game of poker and those fantastic people at www.littlewoodspoker.com. This has made me more determined than ever to get my seat at the World Series in July.
On the poker front, its a big weekend ahead, with the £40k and $100k on Sunday. With my game continuing on the up, I am hopeful of a good result. I will catch you all later.
Take Care
ClintonO
I felt the Cambridge one went really well, the Peterborough was a little tougher, but overall they were both really enjoyable.
I am expecting to do an interview with the Cambridge Evening News later today and have a photoshoot to arrange, so the media coverage continues.
My article in the Biggleswade Chronicle hits the press today, so that will be an interesting one to read!
STOP PRESS! - BBC Look East have been in contact with me this morning, following my radio interview and are interested in doing a TV feature with me next week. That means my interview must have been quite good! Full Details to follow.
I will continue to push the wonderful game of poker and those fantastic people at www.littlewoodspoker.com. This has made me more determined than ever to get my seat at the World Series in July.
On the poker front, its a big weekend ahead, with the £40k and $100k on Sunday. With my game continuing on the up, I am hopeful of a good result. I will catch you all later.
Take Care
ClintonO
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Another Money Finish
Tonight was more a case of what might have been.
Another money finish in the 15k 21st taking home £75, but it really should have been more.
Going well throughout the tournament, ultimately the finish was a dissapoinment.
I am questioning my tactics of being so aggressive when I could have hung on for one more person to go out and made £150. My trademark is patience and I question whether I neglected that.
However on reflection I am happy with my play, the blinds were massive and I play to win. I was called by the big blind with A6, which was a very bad call considering his stack. It was dissapointing but I take heart that once again I am playing well and consistently making the money.
Its a night off tomorrow, but I am confident of another final table performance over the weekend.
Cheers
ClintonO
Another money finish in the 15k 21st taking home £75, but it really should have been more.
Going well throughout the tournament, ultimately the finish was a dissapoinment.
I am questioning my tactics of being so aggressive when I could have hung on for one more person to go out and made £150. My trademark is patience and I question whether I neglected that.
However on reflection I am happy with my play, the blinds were massive and I play to win. I was called by the big blind with A6, which was a very bad call considering his stack. It was dissapointing but I take heart that once again I am playing well and consistently making the money.
Its a night off tomorrow, but I am confident of another final table performance over the weekend.
Cheers
ClintonO
I am a Celebrity update!
Its not quite a media frenzy, but it is all great fun.
After a hectics mornings work, my PR guys were on to me setting up an radio interview.
You can hear me live on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire (Cambridge) at 08:40 on Friday morning followed by BBC Radio Cambridgeshire (Peterborough).
This was followed up by an interview with the delightful Laura from the Biggleswade Chronicle, followed by a photo shoot which I have just finished doing! I should be featuring in this weeks edition which I believe is out on Friday.
Lets hope the attention continues!
I now feel ready to take on the world of poker and will hopefully add to my recent successes tonight.
ClintonO
After a hectics mornings work, my PR guys were on to me setting up an radio interview.
You can hear me live on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire (Cambridge) at 08:40 on Friday morning followed by BBC Radio Cambridgeshire (Peterborough).
This was followed up by an interview with the delightful Laura from the Biggleswade Chronicle, followed by a photo shoot which I have just finished doing! I should be featuring in this weeks edition which I believe is out on Friday.
Lets hope the attention continues!
I now feel ready to take on the world of poker and will hopefully add to my recent successes tonight.
ClintonO
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
The first of many?!?!
After my press release was sent out on Monday, I have had my first request for an article on me, the very next day. I have an interview with a reporter from the Biggleswade Chronicle tomorrow, with a photo shoot to come. World stage here I come!
As for the poker tonight - nothing exceptional but I have managed to add another £250 to the bankroll and move the March total to +£1.5k.
The 15k was another disappointment as for the second day in succession I ran into Aces. Also the LOQ qualifier proved uneventful and I am now relying on qualifying on Friday night for Saturdays final.
The success however came in the form of the Thunder six packs. Three tournaments £20, £30 and £50 and three wins, enabled me to reigster for some more tournaments this week and register a profit to the bankroll. After this success, I have set myself a little challenge.
The THUNDER 33! I am going to play in 33 six packs over the course of the week and see how I fare.
At the time of writing, I have played 6, had 2 wins and am currently £140 in profit with a 64% ROI, not bad at all! Lets hope it continues.
I will update you on my first interview tomorrow.
ClintonO
As for the poker tonight - nothing exceptional but I have managed to add another £250 to the bankroll and move the March total to +£1.5k.
The 15k was another disappointment as for the second day in succession I ran into Aces. Also the LOQ qualifier proved uneventful and I am now relying on qualifying on Friday night for Saturdays final.
The success however came in the form of the Thunder six packs. Three tournaments £20, £30 and £50 and three wins, enabled me to reigster for some more tournaments this week and register a profit to the bankroll. After this success, I have set myself a little challenge.
The THUNDER 33! I am going to play in 33 six packs over the course of the week and see how I fare.
At the time of writing, I have played 6, had 2 wins and am currently £140 in profit with a 64% ROI, not bad at all! Lets hope it continues.
I will update you on my first interview tomorrow.
ClintonO
An Important week ahead
Following the publication of my profile in Littlewoods Full House magazine and the sending out of my press release, this week is an important week for me to do well. If people are writing about me then it is important to me to justify that.
Monday started well, although it did not add to the bankroll, in the 15k I defended my big blind (KJ) against an aggressive small blind but ran into pocket rockets and that was the end of that.
I did however qualify for a number of events for later in the week, including the $100k Icebreaker that is being held on Sunday.
This tournament costs 5000 Player points to enter, although they have been running qualifiers for the cost of 200 player points.
As I am not a cash player it has taken me the best part of two months to amass just 200 points and with the final this Sunday, I made it to a qualifier just in time.
As this was my only shot to qualify I had to take it seriously. 178 players entered and only 7 would book a seat in the final. This game took over 2 and half hours, but when the game finished I was sitting comfortably in 3rd place.
Tonight is usually the night I play best (the night of both my 15k wins and my Caribbean qualification)and with the 15k and qualifiers in the LOQ and $600k, I am hoping for some positive results. I am especially keen to book my place in the LOQ final on Saturday, as I have been unable to play in the last two and with just four months to go to the WSOP, I want my seat assured as soon as possible!
See you on the tables
ClintonO
Monday started well, although it did not add to the bankroll, in the 15k I defended my big blind (KJ) against an aggressive small blind but ran into pocket rockets and that was the end of that.
I did however qualify for a number of events for later in the week, including the $100k Icebreaker that is being held on Sunday.
This tournament costs 5000 Player points to enter, although they have been running qualifiers for the cost of 200 player points.
As I am not a cash player it has taken me the best part of two months to amass just 200 points and with the final this Sunday, I made it to a qualifier just in time.
As this was my only shot to qualify I had to take it seriously. 178 players entered and only 7 would book a seat in the final. This game took over 2 and half hours, but when the game finished I was sitting comfortably in 3rd place.
Tonight is usually the night I play best (the night of both my 15k wins and my Caribbean qualification)and with the 15k and qualifiers in the LOQ and $600k, I am hoping for some positive results. I am especially keen to book my place in the LOQ final on Saturday, as I have been unable to play in the last two and with just four months to go to the WSOP, I want my seat assured as soon as possible!
See you on the tables
ClintonO
Friday, March 10, 2006
Fame at Last!
There is something very satisfying about reading an article on yourself!
In the post today was a centre page feature on me in the Littlewoods Poker Full House magazine.
Thats one step closer to me making the big time!!
A big thank you again to Littlewoods who have been nothing short of amazing in my poker journey to date and have also appointed me a PR company to look after me!
It was also nice playing tonight, as a number of people had actually read about me.
As for the tournaments it was back to the 15k and after one night out of the money, it was nice to get right back amongst it. Again though it went wrong near the end and after losing a big pot with QQ to A6, the very next hand saw my AK suited fall to 22. So it was 18th and another £150 for the bankroll. It was so nearly more, but my AK (again) came up against KK in the $600k qualifier, just 4 short of the money. March bankroll moves up to +£1.25k.
I am hoping to kick my game up a level shortly and get a few more final table appearances.
Just a note on my good pal Tony Chessa, he has been playing magnificently in the Monte Carlo Millions this week and missed out on the money by a couple of places when his Aces lost to Jacks. This guy is a superstar and it is only a matter of time before he takes down a big tournament.
Although I do have to point out that the feature on me came before his feature in the magazine and I am by far the best looking in the magazine!!!!
Its a night off tommorrow, but I will be back for the £40k on Sunday.
Take Care
ClintonO
In the post today was a centre page feature on me in the Littlewoods Poker Full House magazine.
Thats one step closer to me making the big time!!
A big thank you again to Littlewoods who have been nothing short of amazing in my poker journey to date and have also appointed me a PR company to look after me!
It was also nice playing tonight, as a number of people had actually read about me.
As for the tournaments it was back to the 15k and after one night out of the money, it was nice to get right back amongst it. Again though it went wrong near the end and after losing a big pot with QQ to A6, the very next hand saw my AK suited fall to 22. So it was 18th and another £150 for the bankroll. It was so nearly more, but my AK (again) came up against KK in the $600k qualifier, just 4 short of the money. March bankroll moves up to +£1.25k.
I am hoping to kick my game up a level shortly and get a few more final table appearances.
Just a note on my good pal Tony Chessa, he has been playing magnificently in the Monte Carlo Millions this week and missed out on the money by a couple of places when his Aces lost to Jacks. This guy is a superstar and it is only a matter of time before he takes down a big tournament.
Although I do have to point out that the feature on me came before his feature in the magazine and I am by far the best looking in the magazine!!!!
Its a night off tommorrow, but I will be back for the £40k on Sunday.
Take Care
ClintonO
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Now the cowboys are joining in!
The run of finishing in the money has ended, but I still feel I am playing well enough to take down a big tournament soon.
Tonight with just 50 left in the 15k, I pick up my first real hand of the evening KK. I put in a small raise and am re-raised all in. I call and I am up against 66. Its all looking good until the turn brings a 6.
The 10k was a similiar picture, but it was predictably those ladies that saw my exit! This time I ran into a monster 88! At least they sealed my fate on the flop this time!
March continues positively as a couple of good peformances in some single table tournaments moves me along to +£1.2k.
Let me be Lucky!
ClintonO
Tonight with just 50 left in the 15k, I pick up my first real hand of the evening KK. I put in a small raise and am re-raised all in. I call and I am up against 66. Its all looking good until the turn brings a 6.
The 10k was a similiar picture, but it was predictably those ladies that saw my exit! This time I ran into a monster 88! At least they sealed my fate on the flop this time!
March continues positively as a couple of good peformances in some single table tournaments moves me along to +£1.2k.
Let me be Lucky!
ClintonO
The next big win is around the corner
Another successful night in the world of poker and two more money finishes.
In the 15k I had to settle for 15th and £150 despite one of the best starts I have ever made in this tournament.
A few costly AK's knocked the stuffing out of me late on, followed by my Jacks losing to AQ on the river.
By time I was down to my last 14k, I got A9 suited and moved in (blinds 1200/2400), unfortunately I ran into AQ and had to settle for 15th.
The other tournament was the $600k qualifier. Having already qualified for the final in April, I was playing for the $530 cash prize.
I flew into a big lead early on, moving from 1500 to 10000 in the first hour, before almost losing the lot running into aces. Down to 765, it was not looking good! However some nice play got me back in the running and by time the final ten were announced I was chip leader with 25k, giving me £300 more for the bankroll.
£450 more for March, moves the monthly total to £1.1k and more importantly I am playing well and feel it is just a short time before the next big win arrives.
Be Lucky
ClintonO
In the 15k I had to settle for 15th and £150 despite one of the best starts I have ever made in this tournament.
A few costly AK's knocked the stuffing out of me late on, followed by my Jacks losing to AQ on the river.
By time I was down to my last 14k, I got A9 suited and moved in (blinds 1200/2400), unfortunately I ran into AQ and had to settle for 15th.
The other tournament was the $600k qualifier. Having already qualified for the final in April, I was playing for the $530 cash prize.
I flew into a big lead early on, moving from 1500 to 10000 in the first hour, before almost losing the lot running into aces. Down to 765, it was not looking good! However some nice play got me back in the running and by time the final ten were announced I was chip leader with 25k, giving me £300 more for the bankroll.
£450 more for March, moves the monthly total to £1.1k and more importantly I am playing well and feel it is just a short time before the next big win arrives.
Be Lucky
ClintonO
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Can no-one throw away AK!
Thought I would have another go at the 10k tonight and am happy to say that I made the money for the fourth consecutive time, although only finishing in 29th place. Still it all adds to the bankroll, even if it is just £70.
March is still going okay and we are +£0.65k after day 6.
Tonights lesson, people cannot throw away AK.
Down to 9k, I am one off the button and raise to 3.2k with nothing 35off suit. The button (10k) flat calls me. Flop comes 275. I move all in and after a few moments he calls me for his remaining chips, he turns over AK. Got him! 20k pot with the blinds, but no the turn is a King and on come the sugababes!
Until next time
ClintonO
March is still going okay and we are +£0.65k after day 6.
Tonights lesson, people cannot throw away AK.
Down to 9k, I am one off the button and raise to 3.2k with nothing 35off suit. The button (10k) flat calls me. Flop comes 275. I move all in and after a few moments he calls me for his remaining chips, he turns over AK. Got him! 20k pot with the blinds, but no the turn is a King and on come the sugababes!
Until next time
ClintonO
Friday, March 03, 2006
Consistency Returns - But so does the curse of the ladies!
March has started on a positive note, with two more money finishes in the 10k, to make it 3 consecutive nights on the trot.
The 10k was a tournament I had been avoiding, due to the late finish, but providing I have a built up a stack of chips fairly early, I am happy to give it a go.
Two days in and I have almost equalled the profit from last month, so March is looking promising.
I am having a night off tonight as a run of 3 late sessions has left me feeling a little jaded and I will return for the 15k on Saturday. I will not playing in the LOQ final this week as I have not been able to play in the qualifiers and I am not paying £430 for the final, so my World Series dream will have to wait for a couple of weeks. I am hoping that my good friends at Littlewoods will start running qualifiers for the World Series as soon as the Monte Carlo qualifiers are over, so that I can stop worrying about securing my place.
Now the curse of the ladies! Most people who know me know that when I am dealt a pair of queens, it spells trouble, but my latest curse is slightly different. During the last few days I have been listening to music after the first two hours (to keep me awake mainly!). The previous two nights had seen me go out of the tournament on the same song - Sugababes - Red Dress!
Last night I was sitting happily on 30k with just over 20 players left when it came on. Before the end of the song I was out!
I am dealt AQ diamonds in mid position and the very short stack goes all in for his last 1k, the next short stack throws all his chips in 7k. I decide that the short stack is going in on any hand with blinds at 600/1200 and the next guy has probably got a decent showing, but not that good as he would have probably encouraged some action. So I join them and throw my chips in. I am up against K9 and A10, a good read and provided it holds up about 10k more chips for me.
The Flop has mixed blessings a Ten, but two diamonds. However an ace and a six with no diamonds dont help me.
A few hands later I pick up KQ in the big blind. I am raised by the new chip leader (Just got very lucky calling an all in bet with JJ to AQ on a QQ3 flop - hit a Jack on river!) to 3600, I am not too worried about this, although he will probably call a reraise so I decide to call. The flop comes down Q62. I bet out 5k which he calls. From his previous play I know I am in front as he did not reraise, I suspect he is on a ace, mid high kicker or low/mid pair. The turn comes a another 6 and decide to take down the pot there, by putting in my remaining 9k. He calls with A6. Harsh but thats the way it goes. I could have put a smaller bet in on the turn but I would have been pot comitted, so was as well to go all in. So ultimately I am comfortable with my bet and I never put him on A6.
Dissapointed I look up and those ladies start to fade out their song about the red dress, damn those ladies! If I see a lady in a red dress in the near future, warning signs will be going off! Next time they come on, I am changing the channel!
Be Lucky
ClintonO
The 10k was a tournament I had been avoiding, due to the late finish, but providing I have a built up a stack of chips fairly early, I am happy to give it a go.
Two days in and I have almost equalled the profit from last month, so March is looking promising.
I am having a night off tonight as a run of 3 late sessions has left me feeling a little jaded and I will return for the 15k on Saturday. I will not playing in the LOQ final this week as I have not been able to play in the qualifiers and I am not paying £430 for the final, so my World Series dream will have to wait for a couple of weeks. I am hoping that my good friends at Littlewoods will start running qualifiers for the World Series as soon as the Monte Carlo qualifiers are over, so that I can stop worrying about securing my place.
Now the curse of the ladies! Most people who know me know that when I am dealt a pair of queens, it spells trouble, but my latest curse is slightly different. During the last few days I have been listening to music after the first two hours (to keep me awake mainly!). The previous two nights had seen me go out of the tournament on the same song - Sugababes - Red Dress!
Last night I was sitting happily on 30k with just over 20 players left when it came on. Before the end of the song I was out!
I am dealt AQ diamonds in mid position and the very short stack goes all in for his last 1k, the next short stack throws all his chips in 7k. I decide that the short stack is going in on any hand with blinds at 600/1200 and the next guy has probably got a decent showing, but not that good as he would have probably encouraged some action. So I join them and throw my chips in. I am up against K9 and A10, a good read and provided it holds up about 10k more chips for me.
The Flop has mixed blessings a Ten, but two diamonds. However an ace and a six with no diamonds dont help me.
A few hands later I pick up KQ in the big blind. I am raised by the new chip leader (Just got very lucky calling an all in bet with JJ to AQ on a QQ3 flop - hit a Jack on river!) to 3600, I am not too worried about this, although he will probably call a reraise so I decide to call. The flop comes down Q62. I bet out 5k which he calls. From his previous play I know I am in front as he did not reraise, I suspect he is on a ace, mid high kicker or low/mid pair. The turn comes a another 6 and decide to take down the pot there, by putting in my remaining 9k. He calls with A6. Harsh but thats the way it goes. I could have put a smaller bet in on the turn but I would have been pot comitted, so was as well to go all in. So ultimately I am comfortable with my bet and I never put him on A6.
Dissapointed I look up and those ladies start to fade out their song about the red dress, damn those ladies! If I see a lady in a red dress in the near future, warning signs will be going off! Next time they come on, I am changing the channel!
Be Lucky
ClintonO
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
But I had AK!
There is something about the last day of the month, that focuses my mind.
It is the day I post my results for the month. February +£0k. Hmmm, my first non profit making month. It had not been a bad month, but due to other commitments, I am finding myself paying full price for tournaments rather than qualifying for them. So my winnings may be going up, but my costs are also. With one night left the quest to show a profit was on.
The £15k was not going to be the solution, as that ended early, the $600k qualifier was looking very promising, but when someone hit their gutshot straight draw on the river that was the end of that solution.
So it was the £10k that was my last chance, I do not usually play in this event as it finishes at 2am and getting up at 6.30am, leaves me a little drained for the day!
I had managed to lose half my stack in the first 6 hands and I was resigned to a non profit February.
However just as I was about to lose interest I flopped a full house and doubled up. It was time to start playing.
I slowly worked my way up the leaderboard and really started playing well. After we were down to 170 players, I was moved to table 1 (always a good omen!), where I was to stay and therefore get a feel for everyone around the stable.
When we had 20 players left, I was in 3rd place, on top of my game and only forseeing one outcome - victory.
At 1.30am there was six players left and I was a narrow chip leader. Guaranteed £500 at this point (therefore sorting February out) I was only focused on the £2.5k first prize.
Then came the crucial hand. JJ in the big blind. I have 130k Blinds were 1.5k and 3k. Seat 3 'bradpit'(105k) puts in a raise of 12k, which I decide to reraise to 36k. Brad calls.
A great flop 7 high, with 2 clubs. I checked the flop, hoping for a bet and brad obliged with a 12k bet. This was too small a bet for him to have a bigger pair than me, also he would have gone all in already. I immediately put him on two overcards and move all in.
To my great surprise he called my bet with Ace spades and King Clubs! Fantastic. This would put be so far clear, I should go on and win the tournament. Turn is a 9, excellent - oh hang on its another club. Surely we can't have four. The river is a fourth club! - I have just lost a monster pot.
I type unbelievable into the forum and get a sarcastic comment back again. I asked him how he called a bet that would put him out of the tournament when he had absolutely nothing. His reply ' but I had AK'.
Ultimately I went out 6th place when my 99's crashed out to AJ. February at least ended up +£0.5k, even though it could have been so much more. I take comfort in the fact that without these type of players my success in this game would not be so great, also the fact that I am back on a final table again.
But those immortal words will stay with me for a little while. 'But I had AK!.
Take Care
ClintonO
It is the day I post my results for the month. February +£0k. Hmmm, my first non profit making month. It had not been a bad month, but due to other commitments, I am finding myself paying full price for tournaments rather than qualifying for them. So my winnings may be going up, but my costs are also. With one night left the quest to show a profit was on.
The £15k was not going to be the solution, as that ended early, the $600k qualifier was looking very promising, but when someone hit their gutshot straight draw on the river that was the end of that solution.
So it was the £10k that was my last chance, I do not usually play in this event as it finishes at 2am and getting up at 6.30am, leaves me a little drained for the day!
I had managed to lose half my stack in the first 6 hands and I was resigned to a non profit February.
However just as I was about to lose interest I flopped a full house and doubled up. It was time to start playing.
I slowly worked my way up the leaderboard and really started playing well. After we were down to 170 players, I was moved to table 1 (always a good omen!), where I was to stay and therefore get a feel for everyone around the stable.
When we had 20 players left, I was in 3rd place, on top of my game and only forseeing one outcome - victory.
At 1.30am there was six players left and I was a narrow chip leader. Guaranteed £500 at this point (therefore sorting February out) I was only focused on the £2.5k first prize.
Then came the crucial hand. JJ in the big blind. I have 130k Blinds were 1.5k and 3k. Seat 3 'bradpit'(105k) puts in a raise of 12k, which I decide to reraise to 36k. Brad calls.
A great flop 7 high, with 2 clubs. I checked the flop, hoping for a bet and brad obliged with a 12k bet. This was too small a bet for him to have a bigger pair than me, also he would have gone all in already. I immediately put him on two overcards and move all in.
To my great surprise he called my bet with Ace spades and King Clubs! Fantastic. This would put be so far clear, I should go on and win the tournament. Turn is a 9, excellent - oh hang on its another club. Surely we can't have four. The river is a fourth club! - I have just lost a monster pot.
I type unbelievable into the forum and get a sarcastic comment back again. I asked him how he called a bet that would put him out of the tournament when he had absolutely nothing. His reply ' but I had AK'.
Ultimately I went out 6th place when my 99's crashed out to AJ. February at least ended up +£0.5k, even though it could have been so much more. I take comfort in the fact that without these type of players my success in this game would not be so great, also the fact that I am back on a final table again.
But those immortal words will stay with me for a little while. 'But I had AK!.
Take Care
ClintonO
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Close but no cigar!
Tonight I resumed my quest for a world series place and unfortunately fell just short finishing 7 places behind that so important seat.
Once again I was reminded of how cruel this game can be.
After making a solid start and eliminating two players, I was feeling confident.
The first piece of bad luck came when holding AK hearts. I called a reraise and saw a K63 flop two hearts. I checked the flop for the guy to go all in and quickly got my chips in. I was up against QQ. No guesses for what the turn card was. Yes a queen! No heart followed.
I fought my way back to make it to the final table and with just eight people left, I was dealt Tens on the button. I tried to make it look like a steal and went all in. Small blind called me instantly. He turned over 55. This was fantastic, a double up plus antes would put me right in the thick of things.
Flop J94. No worries, just no 5. Turn is a 7. No 5 and I am right back in. Here comes the river! Two cards left in the pack out of 44, that will knock me out. I am more than a 95% favourite. Its a five, I am out!
The previously quiet table sees the following comments, ouch, vul, omg! Oh my god indeed! I leave the table, this is ridculous, how can I play this game when that happens. I vow never to play again - same time next week then!
Vegas is getting closer!
Be luckier than me
Clinton
Once again I was reminded of how cruel this game can be.
After making a solid start and eliminating two players, I was feeling confident.
The first piece of bad luck came when holding AK hearts. I called a reraise and saw a K63 flop two hearts. I checked the flop for the guy to go all in and quickly got my chips in. I was up against QQ. No guesses for what the turn card was. Yes a queen! No heart followed.
I fought my way back to make it to the final table and with just eight people left, I was dealt Tens on the button. I tried to make it look like a steal and went all in. Small blind called me instantly. He turned over 55. This was fantastic, a double up plus antes would put me right in the thick of things.
Flop J94. No worries, just no 5. Turn is a 7. No 5 and I am right back in. Here comes the river! Two cards left in the pack out of 44, that will knock me out. I am more than a 95% favourite. Its a five, I am out!
The previously quiet table sees the following comments, ouch, vul, omg! Oh my god indeed! I leave the table, this is ridculous, how can I play this game when that happens. I vow never to play again - same time next week then!
Vegas is getting closer!
Be luckier than me
Clinton
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Start of something?
My run of six 15k tournaments without cashing is over. Okay I only came 25th tonight taking home £75, but I feel my game is starting to happen again.
This game is a bit of a rollercoaster, you win for a couple of weeks and then lose for a few. Mostly it is about confidence, when you are on a high you play better, until a point when you get too confident and you start to lose again!.
Tonight I was playing well and going nicely, staying in the top ten for the 2nd and 3rd hour of the tournament. After losing a nice pot with JJ against AT, I was left with 11k in chips with the blinds up at 600 & 1200.
Dealt KQhearts I decided to raise to 4800 and had one caller. When the flop was Ah,9h,6d in was time to put the rest of my chips. When I was called I figured it would be with a big hand. But even if he had an ace, I still would not be too far off 50/50 to win. To my amazement it was 78off. I was a huge favourite with two cards to come, I started to see where I was going to be on the leaderboard. Before I got time to do it, the turn card came down a 5! For the fourth consecutive tournament, I had been a big favourite and lost to straight on the turn or river!
I have the feeling that my game is about to take off again and hope to record some nice payouts in the next few days. (Hopefully the World series seat on Saturday!)
Thanks to those people supporting me tonight! Mac your first big tournament win is coming!
Be lucky
ClintonO
This game is a bit of a rollercoaster, you win for a couple of weeks and then lose for a few. Mostly it is about confidence, when you are on a high you play better, until a point when you get too confident and you start to lose again!.
Tonight I was playing well and going nicely, staying in the top ten for the 2nd and 3rd hour of the tournament. After losing a nice pot with JJ against AT, I was left with 11k in chips with the blinds up at 600 & 1200.
Dealt KQhearts I decided to raise to 4800 and had one caller. When the flop was Ah,9h,6d in was time to put the rest of my chips. When I was called I figured it would be with a big hand. But even if he had an ace, I still would not be too far off 50/50 to win. To my amazement it was 78off. I was a huge favourite with two cards to come, I started to see where I was going to be on the leaderboard. Before I got time to do it, the turn card came down a 5! For the fourth consecutive tournament, I had been a big favourite and lost to straight on the turn or river!
I have the feeling that my game is about to take off again and hope to record some nice payouts in the next few days. (Hopefully the World series seat on Saturday!)
Thanks to those people supporting me tonight! Mac your first big tournament win is coming!
Be lucky
ClintonO
Monday, February 20, 2006
Thunder & Lightning - Very Very Frightening
This weekend did not go according to plan as luck deserted me at crucial moments.
My first attempt at a world series seat was a major disappointment as I finished 18 places short of the seat I so desire. My Ace Jack was looking fantastic with AJ7 flop and when I got an all-in reraise by someone holding Ace Seven, I was rubbing my hands. That is until the turn card showed another seven! When I ran into pocket cowboys twenty minutes later, it was all over.
The 40k was looking more promising, 3 hours in, I had steadily built up to 13k in chips.
When we got down to 46 players, I had 8k in chips with AK in the big blind. Everyone folded around to the small blind, who went all in with his 16k. This was my moment, I called and he showed Q8 off. This would put me right back in it. Flop 679, Turn 10. Ouch!
The discovery of the weekend for me was a new format of single table tournaments, Thunder tournaments. These are the same as regular STT's but with only six hands per level. For a player who only plays with Aces, these are a potential nightmare. However curiousity got the better of me and I started to play one. First hand saw two players all in preflop, 44 & JT, this was crazy stuff. However 3 games later and 3 wins, I was starting to change my view!
I played 16 games in all (in about 2 1/2 hours!) winning 9 and coming second in 4. Whilst I am not sure these are the future for me, they certainly helped me fund my Multi tournaments in an otherwise unspectactular month.
One of the key skills in poker is being able to change your game depending on your position in the tournament, your ratio of chips to blinds and how tight/loose your table is.
These Thunder tournaments are certainly helpful in forcing you to play more hands and get more experience of hands that you rarely play with.
The week ahead for me is focused around the world series qualifier on Saturday, but in the meantime I have not made the money in my last 5 attempts at the 15k and not added to my bankroll in February. These are areas I intend to address over the next week.
Be lucky!
ClintonO
My first attempt at a world series seat was a major disappointment as I finished 18 places short of the seat I so desire. My Ace Jack was looking fantastic with AJ7 flop and when I got an all-in reraise by someone holding Ace Seven, I was rubbing my hands. That is until the turn card showed another seven! When I ran into pocket cowboys twenty minutes later, it was all over.
The 40k was looking more promising, 3 hours in, I had steadily built up to 13k in chips.
When we got down to 46 players, I had 8k in chips with AK in the big blind. Everyone folded around to the small blind, who went all in with his 16k. This was my moment, I called and he showed Q8 off. This would put me right back in it. Flop 679, Turn 10. Ouch!
The discovery of the weekend for me was a new format of single table tournaments, Thunder tournaments. These are the same as regular STT's but with only six hands per level. For a player who only plays with Aces, these are a potential nightmare. However curiousity got the better of me and I started to play one. First hand saw two players all in preflop, 44 & JT, this was crazy stuff. However 3 games later and 3 wins, I was starting to change my view!
I played 16 games in all (in about 2 1/2 hours!) winning 9 and coming second in 4. Whilst I am not sure these are the future for me, they certainly helped me fund my Multi tournaments in an otherwise unspectactular month.
One of the key skills in poker is being able to change your game depending on your position in the tournament, your ratio of chips to blinds and how tight/loose your table is.
These Thunder tournaments are certainly helpful in forcing you to play more hands and get more experience of hands that you rarely play with.
The week ahead for me is focused around the world series qualifier on Saturday, but in the meantime I have not made the money in my last 5 attempts at the 15k and not added to my bankroll in February. These are areas I intend to address over the next week.
Be lucky!
ClintonO
Friday, February 17, 2006
Poker vs Women - The Valentines Debate
February has been a fairly quiet month for me, with work and family commitments, I have not played as much as I would ideally like. That said I have managed to book my seat in the $600k tournament on April 2nd, win a few single table tournaments and highlight of the month so far, win a seat in the LOQ (Land-based Online Qualifier) final for this Saturday. I am very keen to book my seat for the World Series in July as soon as possible and winning this would do the job.
As it is Valentines week, I thought I would look at the similiarities between a winning poker strategy and a successful relationship. As I believe that the strategies for success are very similiar.
It intrigued me how many people would be playing in the £15k on Tuesday night. Usually there are around 300 people playing, this Tuesday there was 225. A 25% reduction.
Does that mean then that 75% people prefer poker to the opposite sex!
From these stats it would appear that winning at poker is easier or dare I say more enjoyable than trying to maintain a good relationship! It may be that the baby boom in poker has started and that most of the people playing online don't worry about these things as they are under 16 anyway!
The intriguing thing for me is whether there is a winning strategy for both poker that can also be applied to maintaining a healthy relationship.
Lets have a look.
Neglect. If you neglect your poker, your game suffers, you don't enjoy it and ultimately someone else ends up enjoying the benefits.
If you neglect your partner, your relationship suffers, you don't enjoy it and ultimately someone else ends up enjoying the benefits.
Playing Away. I am a loyal Littlewoods player, however a got offered a free roll from another site, which I played in, when I went back to Littlewoods my cards were awful for a week. I won't make that mistake again.
I am a married man, I can only imagine that is I was offered a free roll from another, things would be awful for more than a week.
Understanding. Sometimes in poker you can not understand why things are going wrong and no matter how much you ask the computer you don't get an answer.
Sometimes in a realtionship you can not understand why things are going wrong and no matter how much you ask your partner you don't get an answer.
Beer Goggles. Don't play drunk! suddendly Queen seven offsuit becomes pocket aces and you think you are on a winner. At the end of the game you realise it was just Queen Seven.
Need I make a comparison!!
Over reliance. Spend too much time with your computer, you lose your mates
Spend too much time with your partner, you lose your mates.
Bragging Rights - Both areas offer serious potential in this category.
Knowing when to end your relationship. You might have pocket aces, but sometimes they have to be discarded if things don't go right. Ultimately you can get very hurt.
Hot Stuff - At poker when your hot your hot, you win and keep on winning. When your cold, my god your awful
When you meet a lovely girl, everyone wants a piece of you. When you don't, nobody is interested!
Changing Tactics - Your poker game can get stale, you need to sometimes do things different, try playing different ways, playing from different postions.
In a relationship you need to keep you romance alive, doing things differently, again using different positions!
Menage a troi - Can this ever be a bad thing! How about introducing your partner to poker. There is something incredibly sexy about watching your two loves interact. All I can say is that when you want to join in - be careful who you give your attention too.
Overall being successful at poker and in a relationship boil down to patience, knowing when to make a move, knowing when you are beat and reading the signals that are being put out.
However there is always the unknown factor. Whether its poker or with women, you can approach something that is clearly out of your league - like 83 off suit or a beautiful woman and sometimes you just get lucky!
Be lucky
ClintonO
As it is Valentines week, I thought I would look at the similiarities between a winning poker strategy and a successful relationship. As I believe that the strategies for success are very similiar.
It intrigued me how many people would be playing in the £15k on Tuesday night. Usually there are around 300 people playing, this Tuesday there was 225. A 25% reduction.
Does that mean then that 75% people prefer poker to the opposite sex!
From these stats it would appear that winning at poker is easier or dare I say more enjoyable than trying to maintain a good relationship! It may be that the baby boom in poker has started and that most of the people playing online don't worry about these things as they are under 16 anyway!
The intriguing thing for me is whether there is a winning strategy for both poker that can also be applied to maintaining a healthy relationship.
Lets have a look.
Neglect. If you neglect your poker, your game suffers, you don't enjoy it and ultimately someone else ends up enjoying the benefits.
If you neglect your partner, your relationship suffers, you don't enjoy it and ultimately someone else ends up enjoying the benefits.
Playing Away. I am a loyal Littlewoods player, however a got offered a free roll from another site, which I played in, when I went back to Littlewoods my cards were awful for a week. I won't make that mistake again.
I am a married man, I can only imagine that is I was offered a free roll from another, things would be awful for more than a week.
Understanding. Sometimes in poker you can not understand why things are going wrong and no matter how much you ask the computer you don't get an answer.
Sometimes in a realtionship you can not understand why things are going wrong and no matter how much you ask your partner you don't get an answer.
Beer Goggles. Don't play drunk! suddendly Queen seven offsuit becomes pocket aces and you think you are on a winner. At the end of the game you realise it was just Queen Seven.
Need I make a comparison!!
Over reliance. Spend too much time with your computer, you lose your mates
Spend too much time with your partner, you lose your mates.
Bragging Rights - Both areas offer serious potential in this category.
Knowing when to end your relationship. You might have pocket aces, but sometimes they have to be discarded if things don't go right. Ultimately you can get very hurt.
Hot Stuff - At poker when your hot your hot, you win and keep on winning. When your cold, my god your awful
When you meet a lovely girl, everyone wants a piece of you. When you don't, nobody is interested!
Changing Tactics - Your poker game can get stale, you need to sometimes do things different, try playing different ways, playing from different postions.
In a relationship you need to keep you romance alive, doing things differently, again using different positions!
Menage a troi - Can this ever be a bad thing! How about introducing your partner to poker. There is something incredibly sexy about watching your two loves interact. All I can say is that when you want to join in - be careful who you give your attention too.
Overall being successful at poker and in a relationship boil down to patience, knowing when to make a move, knowing when you are beat and reading the signals that are being put out.
However there is always the unknown factor. Whether its poker or with women, you can approach something that is clearly out of your league - like 83 off suit or a beautiful woman and sometimes you just get lucky!
Be lucky
ClintonO
Saturday, February 11, 2006
New Year, High Hopes
It was boxing day and I was driving back home to play in a football match.
I got a text message from Scott (party animal and Mr Marketing at Littlewoods).
It finished off saying ' I am expecting big things from you this year'
The next day I sat down at computer for my first game for about 7 days.
I started by playing in a £11 STT qualifier for the £15k. I was happy to say I won that after my QQ (yes I won with QQ) beat AK.
8pm 315 players.
12.44am 1 player me. My first ever win
Dear Clinton,
Thank you for participating in the tournament "£15K TUESDAY 1582226", on Dec 28 2005 12:44AM GMT.
Congratulations! You placed 1st and won 4016.25 GBP!
Two things stood out for me in this game. One of the sites top players slickqwik was watching and when it was down to 7 people, he quoted odds on who would win. I was about 4th/5th at the time and he made me second favourite behind s shooter who was in 2nd/3rd. I was well happy with this and would happily settle for 2nd as I had a couple of 3rds and 4ths, but nothing better.
Players slowly went out and when s shooter knocked out the 2nd place guy. I was left heads up, as slickqwik had predicted - knowing who you are playing against gives you an edge.
He had 560k, I had 70k. 9 hands later it was all over. I had won!
The other realisation was that 'it ain't over till its over'
I hardly played again for a few days, with new year and preparing for work again.
December ended up a record month +£3.5k
On the 3rd January, I started my new job as Marketing Controller within Jordans Cereals. I thought this might be the end of my poker playing. So that night I was determined to have a game. I also wanted to defend my title from the previous Tuesday.
8pm 254 players
12.44am (again) 1 player - my 2nd win. £4,200.
I defended my title. Olaf was the runner up on this occasion.
This meant more to me than the first one as it proved it was no fluke. My game was really coming together.
This was the ideal start to the year. January finished at +£5k.
With work I have had a lot less time to play, but I am determined to keep improving at this game.
The qualifiers for the World Series are starting and that is my next aim.
February has started well enough and I have already qualified for the $600k in April.
8 months since starting I have won 2 holidays (Las Vegas & St.Kitts) as well as over £16k through online poker tournaments.
I hope that this year, poker will bring me more success.
As we are up to the present day, I will let you follow my progress from now on in.
Good Luck to you all
ClintonO
I got a text message from Scott (party animal and Mr Marketing at Littlewoods).
It finished off saying ' I am expecting big things from you this year'
The next day I sat down at computer for my first game for about 7 days.
I started by playing in a £11 STT qualifier for the £15k. I was happy to say I won that after my QQ (yes I won with QQ) beat AK.
8pm 315 players.
12.44am 1 player me. My first ever win
Dear Clinton,
Thank you for participating in the tournament "£15K TUESDAY 1582226", on Dec 28 2005 12:44AM GMT.
Congratulations! You placed 1st and won 4016.25 GBP!
Two things stood out for me in this game. One of the sites top players slickqwik was watching and when it was down to 7 people, he quoted odds on who would win. I was about 4th/5th at the time and he made me second favourite behind s shooter who was in 2nd/3rd. I was well happy with this and would happily settle for 2nd as I had a couple of 3rds and 4ths, but nothing better.
Players slowly went out and when s shooter knocked out the 2nd place guy. I was left heads up, as slickqwik had predicted - knowing who you are playing against gives you an edge.
He had 560k, I had 70k. 9 hands later it was all over. I had won!
The other realisation was that 'it ain't over till its over'
I hardly played again for a few days, with new year and preparing for work again.
December ended up a record month +£3.5k
On the 3rd January, I started my new job as Marketing Controller within Jordans Cereals. I thought this might be the end of my poker playing. So that night I was determined to have a game. I also wanted to defend my title from the previous Tuesday.
8pm 254 players
12.44am (again) 1 player - my 2nd win. £4,200.
I defended my title. Olaf was the runner up on this occasion.
This meant more to me than the first one as it proved it was no fluke. My game was really coming together.
This was the ideal start to the year. January finished at +£5k.
With work I have had a lot less time to play, but I am determined to keep improving at this game.
The qualifiers for the World Series are starting and that is my next aim.
February has started well enough and I have already qualified for the $600k in April.
8 months since starting I have won 2 holidays (Las Vegas & St.Kitts) as well as over £16k through online poker tournaments.
I hope that this year, poker will bring me more success.
As we are up to the present day, I will let you follow my progress from now on in.
Good Luck to you all
ClintonO
Winter Blues
Coming back from St.Kitts was tough.
I really struggled to adjust back to on-line play.
My game had totally disappeared.
I went back to basics, re-read my Harrington's books and tried every way I knew how to get my game back together.
Christmas came and I was on schedule to have my first losing month since I started.
I was starting work again in January, I would have a lot less time to play.
It was all going horribly wrong.
I really struggled to adjust back to on-line play.
My game had totally disappeared.
I went back to basics, re-read my Harrington's books and tried every way I knew how to get my game back together.
Christmas came and I was on schedule to have my first losing month since I started.
I was starting work again in January, I would have a lot less time to play.
It was all going horribly wrong.
Poker in the Sun
St.Kitts.
10 days in the sun, which a few games of poker thrown in for fun.
Again it was with Littlewoods and all the gang were back, it felt like a family reunion. Dave Colclough, John Kabbaj and Tony Cascarino were new additions to the team and they all added to the whole experience.
This time I was not the lone qualifier like I was in Vegas, there were many others. This made the event even more special. Hi to Steve the butcher at this point, really great to meet you.
Linen shirts, cricket hats and an all inclusive package. Bruce and Scott thank you. I have never been anywhere and had a minus room bill at the end of the holiday!
The main event was mixed for me. I had started well enough, moving from 6k starting chips up to 10k.
Then it was the curse of the big pocket pair. Twice I had KK and twice hit a third King on the flop. First time I lost to a flush on the river, the next time a straight.
I recovered to see one of the funniest moments in my short poker career. There were five minutes left before the evening dinner break (6hours of play). The guy on my left 'Clothey' started building a wall with his chips when it was his turn to act. He started with one colour chip all the way across the table, then the next colour, then the next colour. Five minutes later he built his masterpiece and proceeded to fold! So So Funny!
I lasted until the last few hands of that day, I had AK suited against John Kabbaj who held pocket sevens. To this day I have never won a coin flip in a live event.
Whilst I was there I made the Littlewoods team final which was another great experience. My team was Dave Colclough, Tony Cascarino and Robert Price 'Animal' and myself. I had high hopes indeed of winning some money! Unfortunately both Dave and Tony went out early in their STT. I came third in my event when my K6 was beaten by K4 - (my luck will come!). We came 5th of 9.
One of the things that made my holiday, was one of the very successful online players 'Riphja' asked for a picture with me, because I was one of the best players on the site! Fame at last!
The peniultimate night was a great night for Littlewoods and especially those players who had made the Littlewoods team. First of all Tony Cascarino won the pro-am taking home $100,000. Dave (eventually came 6th) and Animal (12th) had just made the money in the main event. 3 of the 4 who represented Littlewoods had just made a wedge of money. So this has to be my night?!?!
I was playing in the $500 No limit with 150 players. I was playing well and feeling confident.
I had made it to the last three tables (27 players) thinking I was only nine from the money. At this point I find out they are only paying 9!
I was continuing to play well until my QQ (yes again) was busted by JT. I was determined to recover and make that final table. 3 tables become 2 and soon 18 became 11.
I was short stacked in the small blind, everyone else had folded. I had QJ suited (Diamonds) - I was all in.
I was immediately called by 44. This was it, I needed to win a coin flip to make the money.
The flop gave me some hope, two diamonds and a ten, the turn was a nine. Any diamond, any King, Queen, Jack or Eight. 23 cards out of the 45 remaining in the pack that would show me the money. The river was the 7 hearts. That was not one of them.
The four of us in our team won $150,000 that day. I won $0. That felt very bad!
So I don't feel really awful I have to include a story where I did win money in the Caribbean.
The last thing I expected to be doing whilst I was there was playing on-line poker. It was 32 degrees c outside! However Poker Tony asked me to play in the Labrokes $50k for him as he was busy doing hundreds of interviews. Four hours later, I had finished 18th and secured $450. I think that was missed off the Littlewoods summary of money won during the tournament! I think I will write to them.
Another amazing holiday and amazing experience. Thanks again to the Littlewoods guys, you were awesome. If anyone needs a recommendation of where to start playing poker. Look no further than the link on this page.
This has been an incredible start to my poker career - I can only hope its gets better.
10 days in the sun, which a few games of poker thrown in for fun.
Again it was with Littlewoods and all the gang were back, it felt like a family reunion. Dave Colclough, John Kabbaj and Tony Cascarino were new additions to the team and they all added to the whole experience.
This time I was not the lone qualifier like I was in Vegas, there were many others. This made the event even more special. Hi to Steve the butcher at this point, really great to meet you.
Linen shirts, cricket hats and an all inclusive package. Bruce and Scott thank you. I have never been anywhere and had a minus room bill at the end of the holiday!
The main event was mixed for me. I had started well enough, moving from 6k starting chips up to 10k.
Then it was the curse of the big pocket pair. Twice I had KK and twice hit a third King on the flop. First time I lost to a flush on the river, the next time a straight.
I recovered to see one of the funniest moments in my short poker career. There were five minutes left before the evening dinner break (6hours of play). The guy on my left 'Clothey' started building a wall with his chips when it was his turn to act. He started with one colour chip all the way across the table, then the next colour, then the next colour. Five minutes later he built his masterpiece and proceeded to fold! So So Funny!
I lasted until the last few hands of that day, I had AK suited against John Kabbaj who held pocket sevens. To this day I have never won a coin flip in a live event.
Whilst I was there I made the Littlewoods team final which was another great experience. My team was Dave Colclough, Tony Cascarino and Robert Price 'Animal' and myself. I had high hopes indeed of winning some money! Unfortunately both Dave and Tony went out early in their STT. I came third in my event when my K6 was beaten by K4 - (my luck will come!). We came 5th of 9.
One of the things that made my holiday, was one of the very successful online players 'Riphja' asked for a picture with me, because I was one of the best players on the site! Fame at last!
The peniultimate night was a great night for Littlewoods and especially those players who had made the Littlewoods team. First of all Tony Cascarino won the pro-am taking home $100,000. Dave (eventually came 6th) and Animal (12th) had just made the money in the main event. 3 of the 4 who represented Littlewoods had just made a wedge of money. So this has to be my night?!?!
I was playing in the $500 No limit with 150 players. I was playing well and feeling confident.
I had made it to the last three tables (27 players) thinking I was only nine from the money. At this point I find out they are only paying 9!
I was continuing to play well until my QQ (yes again) was busted by JT. I was determined to recover and make that final table. 3 tables become 2 and soon 18 became 11.
I was short stacked in the small blind, everyone else had folded. I had QJ suited (Diamonds) - I was all in.
I was immediately called by 44. This was it, I needed to win a coin flip to make the money.
The flop gave me some hope, two diamonds and a ten, the turn was a nine. Any diamond, any King, Queen, Jack or Eight. 23 cards out of the 45 remaining in the pack that would show me the money. The river was the 7 hearts. That was not one of them.
The four of us in our team won $150,000 that day. I won $0. That felt very bad!
So I don't feel really awful I have to include a story where I did win money in the Caribbean.
The last thing I expected to be doing whilst I was there was playing on-line poker. It was 32 degrees c outside! However Poker Tony asked me to play in the Labrokes $50k for him as he was busy doing hundreds of interviews. Four hours later, I had finished 18th and secured $450. I think that was missed off the Littlewoods summary of money won during the tournament! I think I will write to them.
Another amazing holiday and amazing experience. Thanks again to the Littlewoods guys, you were awesome. If anyone needs a recommendation of where to start playing poker. Look no further than the link on this page.
This has been an incredible start to my poker career - I can only hope its gets better.
Becoming a Poker Player
Between August & November it was all about playing as much as I could.
Learning about me, experimenting with styles. Learning about everyone elses game. Learning.
I read every poker book known to man. Dan Harringtons win by a mile.
I started keeping records of all my games. I was only playing tournament games, single table and multi table.
Without every winning a major tournament, I was making plenty of high finishes and making money.
August + £2k. inc 12th in £35k, three final table appearances in £10k/£15k
September + £2.4k inc 4th in the £15k
October + £2.6k inc 3rd in the £15k and 2nd in £3k
November +£1k inc 3rd in the 15k.
I never won any major tournaments aside from a couple of £10 entry MTT's and the one for Caribbean.
I was however getting a fantastic strike rate - 33% of the time I was making the money in the 15k.
It was also a time for meeting new people and making friends. There is such a close community within this game. I have to say thank you at this point, to all those people who have sat down and watched me play and given me support. It is really much appreciated. Thanks in particular goes out to Kai, Alfie, Ian, Neal, Mick, Dave and Mac, but there are a whole host of others who without them, would not make this game anywhere near as interesting.
I finished my job at the end of October, and I had a two month period to see how good I could get before I started again in January.
A broken ankle robbed me of some playing time in November, but it was not going to stop me playing in St.Kitts and thankfully it was fully recovered when I set off for the Caribbean.
Learning about me, experimenting with styles. Learning about everyone elses game. Learning.
I read every poker book known to man. Dan Harringtons win by a mile.
I started keeping records of all my games. I was only playing tournament games, single table and multi table.
Without every winning a major tournament, I was making plenty of high finishes and making money.
August + £2k. inc 12th in £35k, three final table appearances in £10k/£15k
September + £2.4k inc 4th in the £15k
October + £2.6k inc 3rd in the £15k and 2nd in £3k
November +£1k inc 3rd in the 15k.
I never won any major tournaments aside from a couple of £10 entry MTT's and the one for Caribbean.
I was however getting a fantastic strike rate - 33% of the time I was making the money in the 15k.
It was also a time for meeting new people and making friends. There is such a close community within this game. I have to say thank you at this point, to all those people who have sat down and watched me play and given me support. It is really much appreciated. Thanks in particular goes out to Kai, Alfie, Ian, Neal, Mick, Dave and Mac, but there are a whole host of others who without them, would not make this game anywhere near as interesting.
I finished my job at the end of October, and I had a two month period to see how good I could get before I started again in January.
A broken ankle robbed me of some playing time in November, but it was not going to stop me playing in St.Kitts and thankfully it was fully recovered when I set off for the Caribbean.
Was it a fluke?
As soon as I got back from Vegas, I just knew I had to do it again.
Bruce had told me that I should try and qualify for the Caribbean Poker Classic in St.Kitts, as it would be even better than Las Vegas.
I wasn't worried about it being being better, anything that comes close would be awesome.
I needed to qualify for another event to prove to myself that the World Series was not just a fluke.
I started to play a few more games when I got back. I managed 5th place in the 10k tournament (£500) on the 5th August.
I also made a promising start in the CPC qualifiers reaching two final tables finishing 8th and 6th (7th Aug, won £312) when just 3 qualified.
My game was starting to improve quickly.
Then they introduced a Tuesday night Caribbean Qualifier on the 9th August at the cost of $200. It started at 10.45pm and it was by far the most I had ever paid to play. There were 50 players. Only place won a seat. The next morning I received this email.
Dear Clinton,
Congratulations on winning your seat at the Caribbean Poker Classic with Littlewoods Poker !
Imagine all the excitement of first-class poker combined with the beauty, charm and elegance of the Caribbean, complete with endless beaches, emerald green hills and a majestic volcano.
Add a tropical rainforest and breathtaking reefs abundant with sea life and you'll have an idea of what is in store for you on the beautiful island of St. Kitts.
Your $10,000 prize package includes:-
$6,300 buy-in to the Championship Event starting on Wednesday, November 30, 2005
$1,300 for 9 nights accommodation for two at the luxurious St. Kitts Marriott Resort from November 25 to December 3 inclusive (departing December 4)
$1,400 travel allowance deposited to your poker account
$1,000 cash when you register in St. Kitts.
It wasn't a fluke. I could actually play this game!
Bruce had told me that I should try and qualify for the Caribbean Poker Classic in St.Kitts, as it would be even better than Las Vegas.
I wasn't worried about it being being better, anything that comes close would be awesome.
I needed to qualify for another event to prove to myself that the World Series was not just a fluke.
I started to play a few more games when I got back. I managed 5th place in the 10k tournament (£500) on the 5th August.
I also made a promising start in the CPC qualifiers reaching two final tables finishing 8th and 6th (7th Aug, won £312) when just 3 qualified.
My game was starting to improve quickly.
Then they introduced a Tuesday night Caribbean Qualifier on the 9th August at the cost of $200. It started at 10.45pm and it was by far the most I had ever paid to play. There were 50 players. Only place won a seat. The next morning I received this email.
Dear Clinton,
Congratulations on winning your seat at the Caribbean Poker Classic with Littlewoods Poker !
Imagine all the excitement of first-class poker combined with the beauty, charm and elegance of the Caribbean, complete with endless beaches, emerald green hills and a majestic volcano.
Add a tropical rainforest and breathtaking reefs abundant with sea life and you'll have an idea of what is in store for you on the beautiful island of St. Kitts.
Your $10,000 prize package includes:-
$6,300 buy-in to the Championship Event starting on Wednesday, November 30, 2005
$1,300 for 9 nights accommodation for two at the luxurious St. Kitts Marriott Resort from November 25 to December 3 inclusive (departing December 4)
$1,400 travel allowance deposited to your poker account
$1,000 cash when you register in St. Kitts.
It wasn't a fluke. I could actually play this game!
Friday, February 10, 2006
Viva Las Vegas - The World Series 2005
Before I left for Vegas, I asked bookmakers Victor Chandler to give me odds on myself for reaching the final table. The odds were only 400-1 but I was able to bet on myself for a major sporting event. That felt good!
What was better was I then saw myself on Oddschecker, my odds had been cut from 400-1 to 250-1! LOL!
This was my first ever visit to Las Vegas. I expected it to be amazing and I wasn't wrong.
Littlewoods who were looking after me during my stay, where just absolutely fantastic.
From the moment I was picked up in a stretched limo from the airport, by the Littlewoods superstar Tony (The Athlete) Chessa. I knew it was going to be a great experience.
We were staying at the Rio Grande, where the World Series was being held, the whole place was magical.
It was not until I went down to the convention centre, that I actually realised how absolutely massive this was. I was introduced to some of the top players in the world and I knew just how out of my depth I was.
I was playing on day 2 of the main event. I sat down at my table, this was totally mental. What a way to start your live career! I was as nervous as hell!
We had an american national anthem before the event, by a female poker player, it was so terribly sung that it made me relax, I looked across at the dealer and he was laughing too!.
I was on the big blind first hand and had JToff, two limpers and me. Flop was J85, I bet and they both folded. I won my first hand, I was chip leader on my table! This was easy!
My first big moment came with QT in the big blind. The Flop came TT9. I checked, had one guy bet which I called. The turn was a Jack and gave me a straight and flush draw. I bet out, the guy raised me and I called. The river was a three. I checked he bet the pot and it was decision time, I decided to call and he turned over T3. The river gave him a full house! Damn!
My next significant hand gave me KK, again I was in the big blind. I had two limpers and decided to slow play. The flop was KK8. I had hit quad kings. There was no action on the flop, or the turn. I put a small bet in on the river, they both folded!
As the day progress I moved from table to table, playing on five different tables. Some I felt comfortable, others I felt out of my depth.
My end came in the fifth level (each level was 2 hours long) I had QQ and was down to about 4500 chips (started with 10k). I followed two limpers and a raise. I reraised and was called by the guy who had initially raised. The flop was 6 high rainbow (three different suits). I made my move and went all in. The guy called me and he turned over AJ. I was saying to myself - no ace, no ace. There wasn't an ace, but the turn was a Jack and then the river card came (after what seemed the longest pause I have ever witnessed between turn and river) it was another Jack. My heart sank.
Two lessions were learnt initially - one - playing live can be a cruel as online, - two - being knocked out of the world series was one of the lowest feelings you can ever experience.
During the time I was out there my wife Rachael and myself were looked after by Littlewoods and three of the most incredible people. Bruce Martin, Scott Richardson and Poker Tony Chessa (the best player I have ever played with). These three will be my friends for life and they are responsible for my desire to be successful in this game. I want to do this again.
I played in two other World Series whilst I was out there. At one point, I knew every single player on the table from seeing them on tv! I had Men the Master on my right and Ross Boatman on my left. I finished six off the money in the $1500 when my QQ lost to JJ with a J arriving on the river.
Queens are now my most feared hand, whenever I see them I expect my tournament to be over. 23 consecutive losses with QQ is my best record!
I will never forget this experience and will do everything I can to repeat in this year.
What was better was I then saw myself on Oddschecker, my odds had been cut from 400-1 to 250-1! LOL!
This was my first ever visit to Las Vegas. I expected it to be amazing and I wasn't wrong.
Littlewoods who were looking after me during my stay, where just absolutely fantastic.
From the moment I was picked up in a stretched limo from the airport, by the Littlewoods superstar Tony (The Athlete) Chessa. I knew it was going to be a great experience.
We were staying at the Rio Grande, where the World Series was being held, the whole place was magical.
It was not until I went down to the convention centre, that I actually realised how absolutely massive this was. I was introduced to some of the top players in the world and I knew just how out of my depth I was.
I was playing on day 2 of the main event. I sat down at my table, this was totally mental. What a way to start your live career! I was as nervous as hell!
We had an american national anthem before the event, by a female poker player, it was so terribly sung that it made me relax, I looked across at the dealer and he was laughing too!.
I was on the big blind first hand and had JToff, two limpers and me. Flop was J85, I bet and they both folded. I won my first hand, I was chip leader on my table! This was easy!
My first big moment came with QT in the big blind. The Flop came TT9. I checked, had one guy bet which I called. The turn was a Jack and gave me a straight and flush draw. I bet out, the guy raised me and I called. The river was a three. I checked he bet the pot and it was decision time, I decided to call and he turned over T3. The river gave him a full house! Damn!
My next significant hand gave me KK, again I was in the big blind. I had two limpers and decided to slow play. The flop was KK8. I had hit quad kings. There was no action on the flop, or the turn. I put a small bet in on the river, they both folded!
As the day progress I moved from table to table, playing on five different tables. Some I felt comfortable, others I felt out of my depth.
My end came in the fifth level (each level was 2 hours long) I had QQ and was down to about 4500 chips (started with 10k). I followed two limpers and a raise. I reraised and was called by the guy who had initially raised. The flop was 6 high rainbow (three different suits). I made my move and went all in. The guy called me and he turned over AJ. I was saying to myself - no ace, no ace. There wasn't an ace, but the turn was a Jack and then the river card came (after what seemed the longest pause I have ever witnessed between turn and river) it was another Jack. My heart sank.
Two lessions were learnt initially - one - playing live can be a cruel as online, - two - being knocked out of the world series was one of the lowest feelings you can ever experience.
During the time I was out there my wife Rachael and myself were looked after by Littlewoods and three of the most incredible people. Bruce Martin, Scott Richardson and Poker Tony Chessa (the best player I have ever played with). These three will be my friends for life and they are responsible for my desire to be successful in this game. I want to do this again.
I played in two other World Series whilst I was out there. At one point, I knew every single player on the table from seeing them on tv! I had Men the Master on my right and Ross Boatman on my left. I finished six off the money in the $1500 when my QQ lost to JJ with a J arriving on the river.
Queens are now my most feared hand, whenever I see them I expect my tournament to be over. 23 consecutive losses with QQ is my best record!
I will never forget this experience and will do everything I can to repeat in this year.
I am going to the World Series!
It took some time to sink in. I was going to play in the World Series.
We chatted amongst ourselves on the table. (you still had to play until you had a winner at this time). I looked around the table seeing where everyone was from and noticed the guy next to me 'TheDeacon' was from Cambridge, who it turns out lives 3 roads down from me! This is a worldwide game and I am practically sat next to my neighbour!
The next day was a odd one, I went to work, but all I could think was that I was going to the World Series.
I got this email through from Bruce Martin at Littlewoods.
Dear Clinton,Congratulations on winning the WSOP qualifier last night as this means you are on your way to Las Vegas to take part in the most prestigious land based event of the year.
Thats the type of email you want to receive every day!
The guys who qualified with that day were
emadunk
AaronLoew
TheDeacon
A.Rothste
Hippo11
Mrfawlty
KenBarlow
JustinO
The_Slow
It would very interesting to know what these guys have been doing since.
We chatted amongst ourselves on the table. (you still had to play until you had a winner at this time). I looked around the table seeing where everyone was from and noticed the guy next to me 'TheDeacon' was from Cambridge, who it turns out lives 3 roads down from me! This is a worldwide game and I am practically sat next to my neighbour!
The next day was a odd one, I went to work, but all I could think was that I was going to the World Series.
I got this email through from Bruce Martin at Littlewoods.
Dear Clinton,Congratulations on winning the WSOP qualifier last night as this means you are on your way to Las Vegas to take part in the most prestigious land based event of the year.
Thats the type of email you want to receive every day!
The guys who qualified with that day were
emadunk
AaronLoew
TheDeacon
A.Rothste
Hippo11
Mrfawlty
KenBarlow
JustinO
The_Slow
It would very interesting to know what these guys have been doing since.
Fathers Day
Sunday 19th June 2005 - Fathers Day, the day that changed my life. I was due to visit the inlaws, but both my Kids (Joshua and Holly) were ill and ended up in bed. As it was fathers day I was given the choice of what I wanted to do. I had started playing a little bit of poker, a few single table tournaments of very low stakes and the odd multi table tournament. I had even had one attempt at the world series qualification.
It was a gorgeous day and I decided to sit in the garden with my laptop and play some poker. I started on a Littlewoods £500 freeroll in the afternoon and found my way onto the final table. (Eventually finishing 3rd and winning £50) I remember thinking I was playing quite well and fancied another attempt at the world series qualifier. I told everyone on the final table that I was going to play in the world series qualifier later and they just took the mickey!
I sat down at a $42 Ten seater single table during the freeroll. The first thing that was bizzare was that ended up sitting next to the only guy I knew that played poker - my best mate from school, who I had not spoke to for over a year. 'Sharkbait' (played on Betfair) started chatting away to me and it took me the first level to work out who he was! (He is now Dumbsmuck on Littlewoods).
I made it to the last two, my mate went out in third and I was left against 'Djslow' I had 1800 chips to his 8200 and somehow ended up winning it.
The main qualifier was just starting and I was playing two games. One a freeroll the other I world series qualifier - is there a bigger contrast!
The event lasted 5 hours and 15 mins and I was off to Vegas!
The early stages were a blur, but all of a sudden (if you can say that about four hours!) I looked at the lobby and there were just 40 left, with 10 going to Vegas. My computer suddenly flicked back to the game as it was my go, but as the scroll button on the lobby is in the same place as the all in button - I had suddenly unintentionally risked my whole tournament.
I looked up to see A6 off suit and prayed everyone would fold. Thankfully they did, I breathed again. Slowly players were eliminated and we were down to the last 11.
I was becoming short stacked. I had only 5 players on my table compared to 6 on the other one, we were playing more hands as hand to hand play had not been built into the cryptologic (The software that runs Littlewoods, Betfair, Wm Hill, Uk Betting etc) software as yet. I had realistically two hands left. It was my big blind 92off. Under the Gun raised all in and I had no choice but to fold.
The small blind gave me 99 and I knew that had to be the hand. I went all in against one player who turned over J9. There was no Jack and my nines hold up.
Meanwhile on the other table, the short stack is all in with K2, he is called with KK and the miracle had happened, I was in the World Series 2005.
It was a gorgeous day and I decided to sit in the garden with my laptop and play some poker. I started on a Littlewoods £500 freeroll in the afternoon and found my way onto the final table. (Eventually finishing 3rd and winning £50) I remember thinking I was playing quite well and fancied another attempt at the world series qualifier. I told everyone on the final table that I was going to play in the world series qualifier later and they just took the mickey!
I sat down at a $42 Ten seater single table during the freeroll. The first thing that was bizzare was that ended up sitting next to the only guy I knew that played poker - my best mate from school, who I had not spoke to for over a year. 'Sharkbait' (played on Betfair) started chatting away to me and it took me the first level to work out who he was! (He is now Dumbsmuck on Littlewoods).
I made it to the last two, my mate went out in third and I was left against 'Djslow' I had 1800 chips to his 8200 and somehow ended up winning it.
The main qualifier was just starting and I was playing two games. One a freeroll the other I world series qualifier - is there a bigger contrast!
The event lasted 5 hours and 15 mins and I was off to Vegas!
The early stages were a blur, but all of a sudden (if you can say that about four hours!) I looked at the lobby and there were just 40 left, with 10 going to Vegas. My computer suddenly flicked back to the game as it was my go, but as the scroll button on the lobby is in the same place as the all in button - I had suddenly unintentionally risked my whole tournament.
I looked up to see A6 off suit and prayed everyone would fold. Thankfully they did, I breathed again. Slowly players were eliminated and we were down to the last 11.
I was becoming short stacked. I had only 5 players on my table compared to 6 on the other one, we were playing more hands as hand to hand play had not been built into the cryptologic (The software that runs Littlewoods, Betfair, Wm Hill, Uk Betting etc) software as yet. I had realistically two hands left. It was my big blind 92off. Under the Gun raised all in and I had no choice but to fold.
The small blind gave me 99 and I knew that had to be the hand. I went all in against one player who turned over J9. There was no Jack and my nines hold up.
Meanwhile on the other table, the short stack is all in with K2, he is called with KK and the miracle had happened, I was in the World Series 2005.
Welcome to my World
Hello & Welcome to my blog. My intention is to present a very honest look, at the trials and tribulations of playing the phenomenon that has become poker.
I am not a professional player. I balance a job, a young family and running a football team!
I have however fallen in love with the game of poker and the challenges it presents.
I will aim to update this blog on a regular basis. Please feel free to comment.
I have only been playing this game for less than a year and its growth in popularity has become nothing short of spectactular.
I knew one person who played poker when I started, now I struggle to find someone who has not played!
My story to date has far surpassed any expectations that I ever had when I started.
I am not a professional player. I balance a job, a young family and running a football team!
I have however fallen in love with the game of poker and the challenges it presents.
I will aim to update this blog on a regular basis. Please feel free to comment.
I have only been playing this game for less than a year and its growth in popularity has become nothing short of spectactular.
I knew one person who played poker when I started, now I struggle to find someone who has not played!
My story to date has far surpassed any expectations that I ever had when I started.
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