Late Push to hit more objectives

After another successful day, I am on the verge of achieving two objectives for the month.

Just one STT today a £50 ten seater which I duly won, has moved my sharkscope stats up to $877, just $123 short of the monthly target. (I even avoided playing any six pacs!)

I am hopeful I can achieve this tomorrow on the last day of the month.
My quest for profit continues and I avoided all qualifiers tonight! I had two in the money finishes in MTTS and alongside my STT win, it has provided me with another £400 in the kitty.
Day 3 of the 30 day £5k challenge leaves me at just under £1100 and well on target.

This has also pushed me past my monthly figure of £2k and with just one day to come and tournaments already paid for, then this is a success.

I am really pleased with the way I am playing and will keep striving to improve results.

ClintonO

STOP PRESS! - WSOP ODDS

Well would you believe it! My current form has filtered its way over to Vegas and they are running scared!

Blue Square are running a book on the event, to reach the final table. I am currently available at 250-1 alongside two of the previous four winners! (Chris Moneymaker, Robert Varkonyi).

I am certain this price won't last long, so make sure you get on quick!!

http://www.bluesq.com/bet?action=go_oc_grp&type_id=921&oc_grp_id=12590

Now it really is getting exciting!
ClintonO

It's all about profit!

That is my new motto for the next 30 days! (Mon 26th June - Wed 26th July)

I have set myself a target of £5k, which would be a monthly best to achieve over the next 30 days, so that I can play in some tournaments in Vegas. It is also tougher still in that I can only play a maximum of 22 days.

The £2k target for June, is about the only one of my objectives that I am looking likely to achieve (+£1.9k) with two days to go.

Out goes the LOQ qualifiers, they are simply not driving the numbers needed to generate a seat. The CPC can wait until I get back from Vegas. I will continue with the WSOP qualifiers, but these will be the only ones until August.

Two days in and am nicely on my way at +£700. (Please let it continue!)
Plans for the week are to play Cash MTT's, STT's and FL Holdem (which I am really improving at)

On Sunday it is the $50k added, which should hopefully result in a nice pay day. I have also been invited into a STT for a seat in the World Series, realistically this is my last chance and I am absolutely going to guarantee I make it.

I will be playing as much as possible over the next 7 days, as I have a lot of events I have to attend during July.

My game is going well and I want as much time as possible on the tables in preparation for Vegas!

Getting quite excited about Vegas now!
ClintonO

Fed up getting close!

It all looked so promising!

I won the $140 WSOP qualifier this afternoon as well as the £12 £50k qualifier.

So it was the $1000 WSOP final at 6pm, the $250 CPC at 6.30pm and the £50k at 8pm.
It was all going very well, at 8.30 I was 4th with 11 left in WSOP and 7th with 15 left in the CPC!

The £50k was a distraction and I did not last long. 55 on a 5QQA7 board, was not good enough to beat AQ.

In the CPC I raised two limpers with AJ diamonds, a Queen high board with two diamonds, gave me reason to bet out, I got reraised all in and with 3k left to win 12k I went with it. I was up against KQ and got no help, I went out in 11th

The WSOP I was dissapointed, Very dissapointed. I had 7k left with 11 players left. The action was fast and furious. I was waiting to get to the final table. I raised on the button with AQ and was put all in for my tournament, I decided to fold and wait for a better opportunity, as I did not fancy a race.
I then had KQ and got reraised twice, again I had to fold.

I had lost half my stack by time we got to the final table. I battled on, but went out in 8th as my KQ failed against a pair of Jacks.

With 3 seats available tonight, I am not going to get much closer.
I am left feeling dissapointment again. Should I have accepted that race for my tournament. Win I would have had 15k and be in a position to go and win, lose and I was out.
Such a tough call.

No more games tonight! Reflection time!
See you in the week!
ClintonO

Looking like another solid month

I think the key to becoming a decent poker player is consistency. 11 months since the wsop 2005 and I have made a profit in each of them.

I have a couple of final table finishes this week, which has moved my monthly bankroll above the £1k mark. I have a little way to go to reach the £2k target, but there is still time to achieve this.

Todays its the Caribbean final Qualifier for me so far, I will try to get into a few others.
There is also a $50k added competition next Sunday for earning 500 player points, this is definitely worth getting in, so you may see me in some Fixed Limit games over the next few days.

ClintonO

Running out of Time!

I know I am running out of time for my WSOP seat, because the Carribean Qualifiers have started!

I have had some decent results in the last few days, but nothing to write home about.

The £2.5k event has become my new favourite after winning it on Friday, I came 7th (£100) yesterday and 3rd (£250) today, although I really should have won, 88 losing to A4 and then KJ with a KJ on the flop losing to a set of treys!

The WSOP finals were again a little lacking, 6th in the LOQ on Saturday and a dissapointing effort in the WSOP final when my AK got unstuck against JJ.

The Littlewoods qualifiers have finished, so its down to the finals on Sundays now, as the LOQ is not getting enough players. Realistically I have about 4 more chances for the WSOP, about time I took one I think!

I played in a CPC qualifier event today and won that to book my place in the CPC final on Sunday, would be cool to get my seat in the CPC before the WSOP!!!!

I have lost in the 15k for two consecutive nights after flopping a set! Tonight, with a reduced field, I was looking good. 66 with a K6J flop and two players going all in. A8 and KJ, turn Q, river T. Ouch!

My Sharkscope stats are improving steadily and my bankroll for the month is a declared £850 at the moment, with some left in the account to pay for qualifiers. This situation has improved over the last few days. A good job too because I want spending money for Vegas.

Thanks to the comments made by everyone reading the blog.
Coming up tomorrow is the WSOP $140 event, which I qualified for on Sunday. This one I want to win.

Catch you all later
ClintonO

Happy Days are here again

After celebrating my anniversary of Poker it was back to winning last night.

Also once again it was a Friday night, where I was successful, maybe I should stick to Tuesdays and Fridays from now on! Also reading my own tips helped me!

I played in four tournaments in total.
I was very dissapointed in the Littlewoods tournament. Holding TT on a KK3T board, I got put all in. No brainer! He turned over KJ and hit a 3 on the river. C'est la vie!

Anyway enough of the morbid stuff, I had a great night. First up it was the £2.5k guaranteed. I opened my game up a little with great results. I started well and soon got into a chip lead.

With 25 left I managed to go from first to last back to first in 6 hands! Rollercoaster stuff. I really enjoyed this tournament and felt that I was going to win for quite some time, even when I became the short stack with just 3 left. I was very happy to win this tournament (£750) as there is no better feeling! (119 players)

I also decided to play the £10k, which is a tournament I don't usually play, but happily I made my fourth ever final table. Ultimately I went out in 6th. (£500) Got too involved in a three way pot. AJ vs KJ vs TT. A Jack helped my cause but a Ten certainly did not. It was dissapointing not to win, but it was good overall performance.

£1250 on the night, all reserved for Vegas spending money. Lets have more days like this please!

ClintonO

Happy Anniversary

Well would you believe it, I am celebrating my official 1 year anniversary for playing poker this month. It has been a rollercoaster ride.

I would like to thank everybody who has supported me during this time and helped me along the way. I have a great time learning this game and look forward to what I can achieve in year 2. Here are my highlights for year 1 and my top 15 lessons learnt.

Highlights
2 qualifiers for Live Events won - WSOP 2005 and Caribbean Poker Classic 2005
3 significant tournament Wins - 2 x £15k, 1 x£6k
£20k profit
Established as a good player on the crypto network.
Making many new friends as a result.
Playing against one of the top ten money earners in the world (twice) - Men the Master.
Appearing in 6 regional newspapers, 3 editions of full house, 2 radio interviews and numerous Web site appearances.
Meeting a wonderful team of people at Littlewoods Poker, who I am indebted to, for encouraging my desire to be successful at this wonderful game.

So what have I learnt in this time, a whole heap of stuff. I have decided to share with you my top 15 guidelines to be successful at this game (in no particular order)

1) Discipline - If you are going to play, be in the right frame of mind. Drunk, tired, on tilt, kids screaming at you in the background, just does not work.
Stop, recouperate and carry on.
Lesson 1 - If your head is not on the game - its money down the drain.

2) Gears - You need more than one. Patience works and is a key skill, but you have to know when to change gear. As your blinds increase, so should your level of involvement.
You have to be able to move up and down gears dependant on what the table is up to, how many chips you have and your relative position in the tournament, but the worst thing to do is let your stack be blinded away.
My early failings were due to not kicking on a gear.
Lesson 2 - If your not prepared to move up a gear, your stack will soon dissapear.

3) Don't chase losses. - You will end up accumulating more. This game is addictive, but if your losing, the temptation is to try to win it all back immediately. This can prove disastrous! See Point 1.
Lesson 3 - If your losing money fast - Take a break, until Tilt mode is in the past.

4) Set Targets/Keep Records - How are you really doing at this game. You are more likely to be successful if you give yourself something to aim for. Also you find out what you are good at.
95%+ of my winnings comes from MTT's. I am better at 10 seaters than 6 seaters.
I am better on Tuesday's (shattered from Football for two days) and Friday's (start of the weekend). You should also find out if their as a time of day that you get better results.

Lesson 4 - Keep a note of whats going on - It will help you identify whats going wrong.

5) Deal with the Lows - Don't whinge - It gets to you. Poker is a game of skill and over the long run my results have hopefully proved that, but often luck is the deciding factor.
Its more important that you played it right, if you did, great - the fact that you lost is irrelevant, next time you will win. Live and Online are no different in the fact that they can be cruel.

Playing live, I got knocked out of the World Series by a 2 outer, the only time I have Aces live I lost to a set of seven's. I have flopped a set of Kings twice and lost both times. I have never to this day won a coin flip.
Playing Online, I have had as many badbeats as I have had days playing poker. I once lost with QQ, 23 times in succession! Its part of the game.

Its more important that you analyze your game, for where you went wrong and adjust it.

Lesson 5 - When you suffer another bad beat, put it behind you quickly or it will lead to Defeat.

6) Dealing with the highs - When you are hot, you are hot. A win gives you confidence and this game is all about confidence. As a result you tend to go on a good run. You believe in yourself and you are playing with less fear. This can be a great time, to accumulate a bank roll.
A word of warning though, even though you are playing well, you are not unbeatable!

Lesson 6 - When results are going your way, confidence is high - you must play, play, play!

7) Understand whats involved - If you are going to play a game, make sure you know whats involved. If the £15k is starting at 8pm, you have to be prepared to be playing this game for 4-5 hours, if you are not, then why are you playing in the first place.

Lesson 7 - If you are not prepared to put in the time, dont play, stay offline.

8) Dan Harrington's books - The Poker Bible. Read them. Read them again.

Lesson 8 - If results are not going to plan, look no further than Action Dan.

9) Know your players - Make notes, learn what they do, how do they react to certain situations. One thing is for certain, the best players are watching you.

Lesson 9 - Learn how other players play, make good notes and they will pay.

10) Know the Odds - How likely is it you will make your flush draw, how many outs have I got in a certain situation. Do I have the pot odds to call this bet. How much do I need to bet, to take away the odds to call.

Lesson 10 - Learn off by heart the poker odds, this will help you become a poker god

11) Enjoy It - If you don't enjoy the game, don't play it. You get far better results doing something you enjoy. Take Ronaldinho for example! If you are putting too much pressure on for results, you won't get them.

Lesson 11 - If this game is getting you stressed, it is something that has to be addressed.

12) Fewer games better ROI - This is one where I don't always listen to my own advice. I so want to win, that I end up in too many tournaments at once. I have much better results when I play less games at a time. You end up only playing the cards and they are just one part of the game.

Lesson 12 - If you play to win - playing too many games is a cardinal sin.

13) Practice - This game you can never stop learning. People are taking up this game all the time and getting better. The average player is so much better than they were a year ago.

Lesson 13 - If you are not improving - I guarantee you will start losing.

14) Table Image - Be aware of what it is, I was quoted on one site, as the best multi tournament player on the site. Somebody else came back with - He has less moves than Christopher Reeve! To most players I am considered a rock. It therefore means I am going to be at my most productive when I am playing opposite to this.

Lesson 14 - Be conscious of what table image you set, then play the opposite for maximum effect.

15) Don't be afraid to play your game - Too many times I have tightened up due to the importance of the game, rather because it is the right thing to do. You have to play your game no matter what the stakes. Obviously you have to adjust to the table you playing, but don't suddenly start calling with your raising hands.

Lesson 15 - When you are playing higher level games, it is crucial you play the same.

I hope that this is useful to someone!
I have really enjoyed my first year and hope for more successes in year 2.

Good Luck Everyone.
ClintonO

June Update

I have been neglecting my blog, due to the World Cup!
I have decided to change this with immediate effect!

So how has June gone so far.

Objective 1) World Series seat. This situation is getting particulary desperate now. The diary for June/July is so full that I don't know how many more chances I will get before I leave for Vegas.
I have made two finals this month and have finished 4th and 6th, just short of where I needed to be.
I won the LOQ daily again last night for a place in the LOQ final on Saturday. I am also determined to play in the World Series final on Sunday, as it is a year to the day that this whole crazy adventure began, when I won my World Series seat last year. That will be four finals this month, which is just one behind my target with a week to go.

2) 50k - Make the money. Two attempts so far and no money finishes. I have been fortunate to qualify for this £120 tournament at a cost of no more than £12 so far.
Last weekend I lost to a one outer on the river, which was kind of a setback!
Holding QQ on a 2Q77 board, I was feeling quite confident. I get two all ins before me, one holding AA the other AK and the nut flush.
It is an absolute monster pot, only one card will destroy me the Ace of Clubs. No guesses required as to what the last card was then! That hurt!

3) £2k profit. I have made steady progress this month, but I have not yet committed any winnings to the official profit column as I have put some aside for more tournaments later in the month. I am certain it will be an 11th consecutive month of profit, but I am not certain about the £2k target.

4) Sharkscope - +$1k. Good progress has been made on this objective. My current stats show +$522, so I am half way to reaching my target. I have switched between 10 seaters and 6 seaters this month. I am clearly better at 10 seaters but it is finding the time to play them, that stops me playing more.
An interesting stat for me is my record in the more expensive games. Generally the more expensive the better the result! My ROI on £50 games is in excess of 50%, whereas at the £20,£30 level is only break even. My conclusion is that at the higher level there are better players and therefore at the lower levels, the players just don't understand what they are doing and that is how they are beating me! LOL! What do I know!

5) Final Table of the £15k. I have only played this tournament six times this month and I have had two top twenty finishes but not the final table. I would like to win this tournament again!

6) Bad Beat - Despite my teams poor performances, I have slipped to 3rd place. My team are fantastic and in any other competition, they will win. We are jinxed in this one!

7) WSOP Tour on Bad Beat - Two weeks down, not doing brilliantly! The first week got cancelled and week two I hit a set of 8's on an 893 flop but lost to a set of 9's. Don't mention losing with AT on an ATT flop to KK either.

Good Luck All
ClintonO

Small Progress Made

This weekend has seen a few good results, although nothing spectactular.

I made another final table in the £2k today finishing 4th for £200, but connection problems robbed me of most of my chips!

A top twenty finish in the £2.5k, but disappointment in the £50k. I qualified for it by winning a 10 seater qualifier earlier.

I had moved to 6k in chips at the break, but was card dead for most of the 2nd hour. I eventually got AQ in the Small Blind, but ran into AK in the Big Blind!

The LOQ was another close run thing, although I ended up in 6th place, not good enough for a nice pay day.

I tried to get in the World Series final today, but with 8 left in the qualifier (3 seats) I was in 4th place and found KK. I got reraised all in by AK and they hit an Ace.

Its back on the quest for World Series seats next week. Vegas is getting closer and I still don't have a seat!

ClintonO

Why do I slow play!

You have the hand, why give a free card!
39 left in the £15k KK on a queen high flop and I check. The inevitable A appears and I go out to A3! Idiot!!

Still a great lesson learnt. However it has been a good day. Before this huge error!! (okay we all make mistakes!) I had played in 4 mtts and made the final table in all of them!

3 £2ks and the £4k guaranteed! 6th in the £4k and 3rd, 7th and 8th in the others. About £500 in total. (Still annoyed about £15k!)

I tried to play some more Stts today, but failed drastically! All were six seaters and I was placed in only one of six. I played a £50 stt ten seater and won that, so as much as six seaters are quick and fun, they are simply not productive, time to give them up and concentrate on Mtts and ten seaters.
If you see me in a six seater that is not a MTT or a qualifier, have a word with me!

Its the LOQ final tomorrow, I just hope there will be enough entrants for a World Series place, although I am doubtful because of the World Cup.

See you there
ClintonO

Robbed!

I am pleased to say, I am definitely on the road to recovery. Four tournaments last night and I did well in 3.

First up was the Littlewoods Player Points, with 30 in the field. It is another winner takes all competition, with the winner taking a seat in the WSOP 10 stt on the 18th June. I worked my way up to chip leader with 6 left after entering the final table in 10th place. By the time I had got to heads up, I had fallen a little behind, but within 6k of the other guy.
Gradually I worked my way up to go in front and felt comfortable that I would win.
However disaster strikes!

At this point my 3 other tournaments had started, I get AA in the big blind in the 15k and am about to call an all in raise by a short stacked, when my screen changes and I call an all in raise in the Littlewoods tournament with Q8! Not suprisingly I lost and it was game over.

I had previoulsy warned myself about playing mutltiple games - Will have to learn the hard way.

In the 15k, I finished 18th out of 267 (£150). Here I was happy with another money finish.

The big dissapointment was the Highrollers six pac final. I won a seat in this £300 tournament the day before. Top 3 got paid, 3rd alone was worth £1.6k, you guessed it I was 4th!

This tournament really could have been my 4th big cash tournament win. We were down to four players and I had 4 key hands over a 20 minute period.

1) I call a 4xBB raise with KT hearts in the BB for 1600 (I have about 14k). Flop comes down 477 with two hearts. I bet the pot 3200, the other guy who has almost the same amount of chips, reraises to 6400. I decide to call. Leaving me with 6k. The turn is a Ten and I push all in. He calls me with 9T. The river is an ace and we split the pot.

2) The guy in fourth is getting short, I have 99 in the small blind, push all in and am called with AQ and he hits.

3) I am not involved with this hand, I folded UTG, on the button the small blind pushes his remaining 3.2k into the middle. The small blind calls, the Big Blind goes all in for 20k. Short Stack turns over KQ spades, BB Aces. Surely now I am in the money. Flop has an ace and one spade, but runner runner spades, save the short stack.

4) I am the short stack and reraise the aggressive previous short stack all in with pocket 4s. He calls for 90% of his chips with AT. The flop is 567, turn a 7. The river yes it was an ace!

Out in 4th, £0! Good experience, but ultimately bubbled again! So so close - Robbed in fact!

It could have been a fantastic night, but I am pleased that I have so quickly recovered from my low of Sunday and look forward to the Dream Team game tonight, as well as the LOQ final on Saturday.

At this point I would like to say hello to Kai, who logs in most nights to watch me play from his home in Norway. Thanks for your support mate! Also his game is improving no end, so watch out for Menace at the tables!

With the World cup starting I am going to have a little going at some predictions each day, to see if I have any luck in this area. Please see the link across for my daily tips. Please feel free to share yours.

See you on the tables tonight
ClintonO

How to use a blog!

Well there I was wondering if anyone ever read my blog, as I never got any comments.

Well I won't if I don't set it up properly!! I stumbled across a page today with 17 comments waiting to published!! So now that I have found it, they will be published.

Thanks for the feedback, it is great to hear everyone's view. Keep them coming. I really appreciate it.
For those who have commented on mistakes I have made in their opinion, then that is great as it helps me to see things from a different perspective. I have only been playing for a year and learning so much - so thank you! The odd nice comment is also welcome!

Some interesting comments about my friend Tony Chessa. Seems like you have got some convincing to do sir!!

On the tables I have to say that Leonarch is in the form of his life at the moment, keep it up mate. Also Sun_Deshi, two top three finishes in the £15k in the last week, fantastic stuff.

Well after my resigination from the game on Sunday, I did make a brief appearance on Monday. Finishing 16th in the $6k guaranteed, ran into AK when getting short stacked. It however was a cash finish, which always helps with confidence.

Reinvigorated I took to the tables again last night. I played in four tournaments.
One was the $6k, in which I made a great recovery from being almost out, but reraised all in with KK and got called by A6 and both an Ace and a six appeared!

I played the £10k and whilst I never really managed to get going, I still finished in 35th place (£35) going out with KJ to A8 - nobody hit anything.

Two other games were more encouring - I played the six pack highroller qualifier for a place in the £300 final tonight and am happy to say I won one of the two seats available. This was a really enjoyable game, where I was first or second chip leader for most of the tournament.

The other one I played was the 36 runner LOQ qualifier for a place in Saturday's final, with one place available. I won this competition for 3rd time in 5 appearances! This time though with more people than I had played against previously.
This was an enjoyable win, as the players who play in this tournament each night are of a great quality. When it was down to three, I knocked out Brandon_99 a good friend on the tables and an excellent player. He did not approve of my calling his KQ all in with Ace rag!
However this was his umpteenth all in move, since taking a nasty bad beat on the river against 'claw' and sometimes we have to make a stand. Sorry buddy.

The heads up was a very close affair throughout, we started almost equal, I was about 29k to 25k in front. We changed leaderships many times, before my JT beat his Q8. With the flop bringing a ten and an eight.

This has presented me with another Vegas qualifying situation on Saturday. I am not even daring to think about winning my seat, but that won't stop me from trying!

See you all soon
Keep the comments coming
ClintonO

Absolutely Gutted

The dream is over!

I don't know if I have ever felt this bad since been knocked out of the WSOP 2005 main event.
Those amazing people at Littlewoods put me in a STT tournament for a place at the World Series.

Incredibly when the cards were in the air, we only had 7 players and 5 mins later we were down to 5.

The game was relentless in its pace, every pot raised. My set of 7s lost to a four diamond board with a 9 flush.
I battled and battled doing whatever I could.
My first hand of the night arrive JJ. However there was a raise and then a reraise before me. I folded and they had AK and KQ and would have trebled up.

I raised with nothing at every opportunity to keep me in the game, until I eventually found a hand AA. I get called by the other short stack who has kh6h. The flop has a king and two more hearts. Another heart on turn. I held the Ace of hearts, but the river was a blank.

I am just not sure how to pick myself up from this. This was easily my best chance to qualify.

I am tempted to stop now and call it a day.
I am reminded I can't win every game and how much I have achieved in a year, but how how low do I feel right now.

Whilst I am trying to pick myself up from the floor, I would like to congratulate Joseph 'TheDeacon' who won his seat in the main event today.

He qualified in the same tournament as me last year and after he won today, I thought history would repeat itself. I converted Joseph to Littlewoods last year and look forward to seeing him in Las Vegas. Well done sir!

I have many new friends playing in the main event this year and it will be great to see them all in action.

I need some time to recover from this one. See you soon

ClintonO

June Objectives

Here are my Targets for June, in order of importance.

1) Secure WSOP Seat - I am running out of time! It's still the priority, I will play every game I can to try and make it. It looks like there are ten opportunities again this month. Making 5 would be a good achievement. From which I hope to put one to good use.

2) £50k. Four tournaments this month. One of the them I will make the money, as I did not manage it during May

3) £2k profit. I am making more of an effort to make money this month. It can not be purely about that as the World Series qualification will drain funds, but this is a good target.

4) Sharkscope Stats. Following two successful months, I aim to add $1k to my profit total. I would like to officially be a shark, but I have much work to do!

5) £15k. This takes a bit of a back seat this month, but I would still like to achieve a final table.

6) Dream Team. I would like to be the teams best player at the end of the month. Very tough objective. Requires a couple of final table appearances. Current Standings
FFS4LIFE - 1750
ClintonO - 1000
D1ce - 720
F.U.ASOL - 530
007apr - 100
strokeit - 40
azimut - 0
Meg80 - 0

7) Win the WSOP tour for June/July. Impossible objective, but there are six tournaments to go at and why not go for it.

I may add to these as I go along, but that is enough for now.
Heres to a succesful June
ClintonO

May Review

May has been a good month, my game has improved and at I times I have played some quality poker.
On occasions I have played too aggressively and on others too passively. It is about striking the right balance and being able to change gears dependant on the situation.
There is also much to be said about not playing when tired or distracted or playing too many games at once.
There is no point sitting down at a MTT if you are not prepared to see it through to the end. Also when you are playing too many games, you can only play the cards not the table, which severely limits your potential.

So how did I do versus my monthly objectives.

1) Secure World Series Seat - FAIL - I surpassed my target of reaching 5 of the 10 available WSOP finals by reaching 6 finals. I also reached four final tables, but did not get the job done. I have however bought my flight to Vegas from the months winnings and have my hotel sorted at the Rio. So effectively I am two thirds of the way there! Just the seat to go then.

2) Money finish in the £50k - FAIL - I was only able to play in three tournaments this month, but did not achieve my objective. This is an important target going forward, as I have never reached the final table in this event.

3) Final Table finish in the £15k - PASSED x2 - I achieved this twice, with a 6th and 10th place finish. Well Played me!!!

4) Make a monthly profit - PASSED - This month I secured £1800 in profit, much more than I anticipated and I am very pleased with the result. I did not expect this as my main aim was for the WSOP, so this is a very good result. Taking earnings since August up to the £20k mark.

5) Profitable Sharkscope stats - PASSED -I started the month $450 in negative and finished $20 in the positive. Another objective passed.

6) Dream Team final table - ONGOING - After 3 weeks of the tournament, our team (which contains some fantastic players) are currently languishing in 19th out of 32. On a personal level I am quite happy as I have been our best performer for 2 of the 3 weeks, I also have accumulated the 2nd most points of the team.

7) Bet Direct $250k money finish - FAILED - Played badly and ran into trouble.

8) Arsenal winning the Champions League - FAILED! - Well I did my bit, I got to Paris and watched the game, but it was not to be.

I am happy with this months achievements and feel I am on the verge of something. There is a real trade off between making money and trying to qualify for the WSOP and I am yet to work out the best plan of action.

I am happy to go to Vegas and play in some of the World Series events, but there is nothing like the main event itself. I would also like to prove that I can make some substantial money at this game.
I also find it difficult to play all the games I want to play!

My weekly schedule for June looks like this!

Littlewoods games are 7.30pm weeks 1&3 and 10.30pm weeks 2&4
Mon 7.30pm - LW PP, 8pm - 15k, 9pm - WSOP $25, 10.15 pm - LOQ $15
Tue 7.30pm - LW PP, 8pm - 15k, 9pm - WSOP $25, 9 pm - LOQ $75 10.15 pm - LOQ $15
Wed 7.30pm - LW PP, 7.30pm - Bad Beat Tour, 8pm - 15k, 9pm - WSOP $25, 9.45 pm - WSOP $140 10.15 pm - LOQ $15
Thurs 7.30pm - LW PP, 7.30pm - Dream Team Event, 8pm - 15k, 9pm - WSOP $25, 10.15 pm - LOQ $15
Fri 7.30pm - LW PP, 8pm - 15k, 9pm - WSOP $25, 9 pm - LOQ $75 10.15 pm - LOQ $15
Sat 8pm - 15k, 9pm - LOQ final 9pm - WSOP $25, 9.45 pm - WSOP $140
Sun 6pm - World Series Final, 8pm - £50k.

When you put this alongside earning player points, playing qualifiers, the occasional 10k or $6k game plus single table events, it amounts to over 30 hours per week, often on multiple tables!
No wonder I am struggling to keep a balance between making money and qualifying.

I think this month some of the MTT's might take a back seat, in order to play more STT and WSOP qualifiers.

I will post my objectives shortly
All the best
ClintonO

Final Table Blues

A solid performance in the 15k tonight. I was winning the tournament right the way from 200 people to the last 20! However it all went wrong and I finished 10th (£250).

Positives played some great stuff tonight, did not really put a foot wrong.
Negatives not making more money, but made the right decisions.

3 key pots on the night.
1st - Sitting in the big blind with 49, two limpers, I check. Flop 449! Guy UTG goes all in. I thought about and decided to call! Guess what I lost to AT! Turn A River A.

2nd - UTG with 99, limp in for 400, UB4MATT raises to 1200, five others call, I call also.
Flop 589. UB4MATT all in for 8k, next guy all in for 10k, next guy all in for 8k. I obviously call. We have an overpair, a flush draw, a set of 8's and my set of 9's. They hold up and I get 40k in chips

3rd - Final Hand. SuzItal, knows I am a solid player, already said I fold to you when on the blinds and I showed AK. They raise to 7200 3xBB. I hold AQ and go all in for 42k. (Pot is 12300) Happy to take pot there and then. They are holding 50k, so its for their tournament. Calls with 77. Hits two more 7's - game over. Admits it was a crazy call and ends up going out in 5th.

I could of raised less in hindsight, but did not want to let them in. Plus they knew I am solid, so I am happy with my decision.

Monthly profit is just shy of £2k, very impressed with that as not playing for money this month. My first years profits have surpassed £20k!
I made my 2nd final table of the 15k this month and my 11th in total.

I have also booked my flights for Vegas, so whatever happens I will be there.
Well done to Mr Tony Chessa, another tournament win, this time in Barcelona. The boy is on fire.

See you soon
ClintonO

Never Going to Happen

There comes a point when you realise that something you want is never going to happen!

I have been trying for this World Series seat for a couple of months now and whilst I keep getting close, I have always maintained that I will eventually make it. However something happened to me in the final on Sunday, that makes me wonder is this not meant to be!

I am sitting in the top four in the event, I hold 44. My favourite hand! The flop comes down 433. Christmas. Incredibly I get someone to put all their chips in at this point. Not surprising though when they are holding 33!
With most of my chips gone, I move in with AJ preflop and lose to KQ, I then put my remainder in with KQ and lose to A8.

I have had too many bad beats in these qualifiers to make me realise, it is not supposed to happen!

I however will got give up and will be going to Las Vegas anyway as last year was the best holiday I have ever had. I will play in some of the smaller competitions to increase my experience. I still have to remember I have been playing this game for less than a year.

I am not going to give up though, as the true competitive nature I have inside me, will not let me. There is still plenty of time to make it and I will not give up whilst there is a glimmer of hope.

I played in the $25 wsop qualifier last night and won that to proceed to the $140 event on Wednesday. I also played in the 448 runner £10k event and finished 16th (£112) I had 46k in chips and AcKc, but lost to QQ, taking out most of my stack.

My main hope for Vegas has to be through the Littlewoods Player Points competition. There are five more qualifiers this week for the final. Winning one of those is my target this week.

I will publish my views of the month later this week. In the meantime.
Good Luck at the tables
ClintonO

Super Sunday?

I have had a couple of days off this week, the less I play the better my game seems to be.

I played in the Team Event on Thursday, for the second week running I was best performer, but failed to reach my objective of a final table finish.

Tonight was all about the LOQ. 25 runners and one world series seat. Unfortunately it was not the night for me, as I ended up in 13th. SB vs BB battle I had KQ he had 77, nothing helped me.

The competition produced a great heads up between ---00--- (Littlewoods) and Leonarch. Both players I have played against many times. It came down to 66 vs AK for a seat! with 66 winning.

I thought this weekend was the one for me and played in the late World Series qualifier. I am happy to say I finished in the top six and have secured my seat in the 6pm final tomorrow. I also won a 29 runner tournament to qualify for tomorrows £50k also.

So one more attempt tomorrow, lets hope its a Super Sunday.

ClintonO

Another Chance!

Tonight I thought it was going to be back to the good ole days of disastrous luck.

In the £15k I ran into Aces twice.
I played the £10k for the first time this month and was going nicely. I called an all in raise of 6k with my remaining £5k with JJ, as I knew the player goes all in with mid pairs, usually regardless of blinds. True to form he had 99, but a 9 hit the flop.

In the $5k again I was going nicely, when AA appears, I am put all in, I obviously call. He has JJ, Flop is A78, nice! Turn 10, River 9, he has a straight! Unreal.

So it was down to the LOQ qualifier. I won this tournament the last time I played it on Tuesday before the Paris trip.
I played some great poker and ended up heads up with DaVinch, a player I have played against many times.

I was a big chip leader to start with 26k vs 11k. However to start with Luck was very much on his side.
All in with AQ against A4. We split the pot. The second time he needed an ace on the river to survive. An Ace came.
By time the third beat came, I thought I was not destined to win. I have AK on an A82 flop, he has 47. Turn 4, River 4! OMG this is not my night.

So I decided to play some rubbish cards and to my amazement it was all change. I went in with T3 (very short stacked) against AJ and the cards came 44466. Then the next hand I hit a 9 on the river to make a straight and finally my Jacks beat his Kings. To make it 3-3 in bad beats! 6 hands later, I had all the chips when my favourite hand 44 beat his J9.

It was a very enjoyable heads up which lasted for 84 hands and 30 mins. What a game! Thats two LOQ qualifiers I have won on the trot and for once luck evened itself over a short period of time!

Roll on Saturday, I want this World Series seat.
ClintonO

The week of Football!

The last week has been dominated by football. On Wednesday it was the Champions league final in Paris, which was a great experience, but not quite the result. Twice I have watched Arsenal in Paris, two finals against two spanish teams, both times 2-1 defeats! Still Mr Henry is staying which gives us all a lot of hope.

Yesterday it was my own cup final for the team I player manage. After 11 years of management and at the 3rd time of asking we finally won the cup and in some style! Houghton 8-0 Southoe.
So nursing a bit of a hangover today!

Right back to poker.
I returned on Thursday and played in my team competition through Badbeat. I played quite well and finished the highest of my team, but ultimately went out in 21st when an 8 hit on the river. I was pleased with the performance, but felt I should have gone on to make the final table.
Friday saw me regain my Sharkscope stats, I am now $3 in profit! Don't know whether to play any more this month, to avoid failing a monthly objective!!

Saturday was a big night. The LOQ final. 22 runners, so there was the one all important place in the World Series up for grabs. As I was playing well I was as confident as I had been in a long time. With just six players left, I took the chip lead.

The very next hand I was dealt AcKc and got some action. I was on 15k in chips and was up against the 3rd placed guy who had around 11k, The guy bet hard into an interesting looking 7hTh7c flop, I decided he did not have the goods and put him all in. I was wrong he had AhTd The turn card was beautiful the Kh. I was about to move in too a big lead with over 50% of the chips in play.
The river was a fourth heart giving him the Flush.

Two hands later I put my remaining 4k in the middle with another AK and was called by KQ. Along came a Queen and it was all over. From 1st to out in 3 hands, from being in front with 6 left. It was very dissapointing result, but I had again played well to get in that position.

This week I will continue my quest for the WSOP, starting with the qualifiers tonight.

ClintonO

A New me!

Time for one game before my flight to Paris.

I pick the 28 runner LOQ qualifier. 1st Place and a seat in the LOQ final on Saturday.

This gives me two more chances for that Las Vegas seat, Saturday night in the LOQ and the Littlewoods 10 seater tournament on Sunday.

Back to loving this game! Objective 1 is around the corner!

ClintonO

Knowledge is Power

In my first game after a real learning experience this weekend, I produce my 3rd best performance of the year in the £15k and achieve Objective 3 of making a final table in this tournament.

All this despite problems with my computer, meaning I was out of action for 15 mins, losing over 10k in chips.

I finished in 6th place with £785 when my KQ ran into QQ and there was no King to help me.
I was very pleased with this, I had no idea where I was in the tournament from about 9pm, as my computer would not let me see the lobby. I could not play in any other games as a result, so for the first time in ages I concentrated on just one game - the way forward perhaps?

I will take £500 for the bankroll, which moves the monthly total to £1.2k, this is particuarly pleasing, as this month is not about profit, but about getting that elusive seat.

I hope that the lessons learnt over the last few days, have given me a few more tricks at the table and that my competitors will have to reevaluate their views on me.

In the meantime a great result and I look forward to posting again, hopefully when Arsenal are crowned champions of Europe.

Cheers
ClintonO

Back to School!

It has been an interesting weekend. I feel that I have learnt many lessons over the last few days.

This is why this game is so special, you have to keep learning, because everyone else is learning about you.

Friday was a decent night, my second consecutive money finish in the £15k, 25th place.

Saturday was the $250k tournament and after a decent start it went sadly wrong. Firstly I got too cute with Tens and lost to AK. He put in a heavy raise prelop, which put me off AK. After two kings on the flop, I thought he had missed. When he bet out I assumed he had missed, but a call of my reraise told me otherwise!

The big lesson for Saturday was limping can be very dangerous. A lot of the pros live by the saying pump it or dump it. I limped in with a hand instead of raising and the big blind holding 73, enjoyed the 7J3 flop more than I did! If it ain't good enough to raise it ain't worth playing - another popular saying and one I will pay more credence to in the future.

Sunday was the big night, the WSOP qualifier. This was the one. The first hour was spectactular I moved from 2500 to 6500 and was leading the tournament.
Then I get KK, I put a normal raise in, we get a call and a big all in. I have to call. He turns over 44! Christmas! 67AJ is the first four cards. Boom! river is a 4! Ouch.

I have to regroup and to my credit did so. By time we got to the final table I was in 5th, with the top two going to Vegas. At which point I did not get even a marginal hand for an hour. By time I get a hand in KQ, my chips are getting low and I am called by 66 and go out in 8th.

The lessons here, you can't always wait for a hand, you are playing the players, if they are constantly stealing - reraise them, put the pressure back on. You are never guaranteed to get cards.
Also play your normal game, when the stakes are high it is easier said than done, but I so want to win my seat, that I tighten up more so than usual. From now on, I play my normal game in all tournaments.

The £50k gave me another lesson. Even when you get a hand, you can never be certain. With only 75 left in the tournament and prizes for top 50. It was looking good when I got Aces in the small blind.
Fourth position calls, button raises 5xBB. I go all in for another 3000 chips. A nice pot to take down.
BB goes all in and button calls! Its a monster theres almost 20k out there.
Button has KcQc, BB JJ.
Flop Kd7sQd. Disaster, in a whole heap of trouble now. The turn is 7d. Get in. A higher two pairs! River is a harmless looking 5d. But wait four diamonds on the board, my Aces are black and BB Jacks are red, gutted I am out to a flush! Theres no guarantees in poker!

Plenty of lessons learnt!
I will not be playing much this week because of the Champions League final. Come on the Arsenal! I will play in the 15k on Monday and return on Thursday. I am also having a week off WSOP Qualifiers.
Confidence is a little dented, after discovering I still have so much to learn, but I am ready to take the tables with a little more knowledge and perhaps some more flair!

Good Luck All
ClintonO

Two more money finishes

Dissapointment in my first badbeat team game last night when I ran into Aces with my first hand of the night AK. I finished fourth out of our six players, but not high enough to register any points.
We did have one final table finish, with our star player finishing 7th! So that should keep us right up there.

For me personally, I had my best finish of the month in the £15k, coming 18th and winning £150. Unfortunately I re-raised at the wrong time. Going all in with AT and coming up against Aces again!

I also played the $5k after my recent success in this tournament, I finished 13th with $70 dollars. I was going very well in this tournament for a long while, but failed to really build on it. It emphasised you can have all the patience in the world, but you are never guaranteed a hand. I am not sure what the odds are, but I did not see an Ace, a King, a pair or a suited connector for 62 hands (yes I counted!).

Its a big weekend in store, with the $250k on Littlewoods Bet Direct on Saturday and a World Series ($1k) qualifier on Sunday.

Keep those fingers crossed!
ClintonO

Back in the Swing

I feel a definite improvement in my game in the last few days.

I added another £100 to the bankroll following another final table finish.

However it is the three big tournament performances in the last two days and securing of two seats in World Series Final Qualifiers, that have pleased me most.

Yesterday I won a 21 player Littlewoods player points tournament, to win a place in a ten seater qualifier for the World Series on the 21st May.

Tonight I managed to finish in the top 5 of the $25 WSOP qualifier for Saturday nights $140 WSOP qualifier, but straight after I finished in the top 6 of tonights $140 WSOP qualifier to win a place in the $1000 final on Sunday.

So after two weeks with no World Series finals, I have secured two in two days.
Roll on Sunday, I have a feeling! This is the one!

ClintonO

Time to mix it up again

I feel that my form has started to dip a little in the last few days.

I have fallen into the trap of slow playing big hands and getting stung, tonight I was down to the last 50 in the £15k and limped in with Aces and ended up losing to the small blind holding 87 and with a 965 flop he was laughing!
Most people have got it figured at that level that a limp at that stage of the game is a monster.

I had a run of bad luck in the stts tonight, which tipped my sharkscope stats back into the negative, I will obviously address that shortly, but in the 5 games I played I was ahead until the river, when I went out.

In the Multis, I have found a tournament which I like, the $5k guaranteed, My previous two attempts saw me take 1st place and then 17th place (Still in the money). Tonight I made the final table and finished in 5th place, taking home $441. I have put £100 aside for the monthly profit figures and used the rest to push for my World Series place.

Congratulations to fellow Littlewoods players Robert 'Animal' Price who secured his seat in the World Series on Sunday in the Littlewoods player points tournament. Well done sir!
Also to my Dream Team Captain Andy '007apr' Reynolds, who incredibly won his second seat in the World Series on Sunday night - although that is a bit greedy!
Whilst we are in the congratulating mode. Mr Poker himself 'Poker Tony' Chessa won a nice Omaha event in Blackpool last week, earning himself a decent £8k! You are a legend!

I have decided to go to the World Series no matter what happens, as even if I fail to qualify, last year was still a fantastic holiday and the experience from playing in other tournaments out there will certainly help me in the future.

I am going to try to play in every qualifier I can this week, as I have not played in a final for two weeks and I am definitely due one. I also have the $250,000 guaranteed on Littlewoods Bet Direct on Saturday, where any winnings will be used to fund the World Series trip.

The new design of the Littlewoods tables have been uploaded and they do look very stylish indeed. For all those put off my the colour before, we now have the most professional looking table in the poker world. Great work guys.

For those who have not seen it yet, make sure you download the Littlewoods software from the link to the right of this note.

One final comment for your views, would you have played it different? It was a reasonably earlier hand in a multi tournament. Blinds are 25/50. You are sitting in the big blind with 7d8d. 4th position raises to 150, button calls, small blind calls. You are getting 5-1 to one odds you decide to call.

The flop is 3s5d6d. Small Blind checks, you check (lots of options but would like to see a cheap next card). Intial raiser makes a continuation bet of half the pot of 300. Button folds. Small blind folds. You have 1500 left, 900 in the pot, raiser has 2500.

Whats he holding, from what you know of him, he is fairly loose tonight, but has recent success in reaching the final table of the $10k, so obviously can play a bit. After I check the flop and he makes a continuation bet, I think his most likely holding is two overcards. He doesn't want to risk me having a free card, so bets to signify strength and win the pot there an then. I don't believe he would bet out he if hit trips and the chances of him having a mid pair are slim because of my holding. He could have a bigger pair, but his bet says that he can't afford me taking a card, although the straight and flush draw is out there, so there is a small possibility he has an overpair.

I decide that he most likely has two overcards, probably AK, AQ or KQ. If that is the case, then I have plenty of outs, the 3 remaining 7's and 8's, the 9 remaining diamonds and the 3 non diamond 4's and 9's. This gives me 21 outs from the 45 remaining cards. It is 50/50, I decide to put all my chips in.

This way, if he does not call, I take the 900 in the pot, if he does I am 50/50 to double up my stack. He does call and shows AJ, I was almost right in my thoughts. The remaining cards were a 9 and an Ace. I won with the 9 high straight.

As a result of this, the losing player decided to go on a rampage and throw every insult in the book at me! I would be interested to know if anyone would have played it differently.

Cheers
ClintonO

Objective 5 completed!

One of my eight objectives was to put my STTs statistics back into profit.

I have always felt my STT game was strong and was very surprised to see my stats down at -$2k, when I discovered www.sharkscope.com. One of my immediate objectives was to address this.

Well I am pleased to say just 5 weeks later, my stats are now reading + $110.
This is a great potential source of revenue for me. My record in ten seater single table tournaments are fantastic. It is those in particular that I will concentrate on.

ClintonO

Hard Luck Stories

Something did not feel right tonight and the results showed that.

However on the night I put £100 into the monthly profit figure after taking home $560 for finishing 5th in the World Series and paying for some more tournaments, so still positive results.

The World Series 5th whilst making money was dissapointing as the top 4 got places in Sundays final.

Other tournaments included the high roller tournament, where I finished 12th, in a event I will play more £9k available and just 30 odd players. I went out when a Jack hit the river and gave my opponent a straight, when I had him beat all hands up!

The Littlewoods player points saw me on another final table (went out 6th), but I ran into the chip leaders bigger hand, when in 3rd place and going well.

The 15k was a dissapointment, going out midway through when all in with Jacks against Eights and he hit an eight on the flop.

I am pleased to walk away tonight with a profit, especially with some hard to take losses, which also included flopping a straight and losing to a higher straight on the river. It is amazing how your mood and confidence effects your game, I felt tired when I started out this evening and as result my early play was unsuccessful. If you can avoid it, don't play when tired, you will not get the results your play deserves.

If anyone is interested in playing poker, then I have to recommend Littlewoods as a great place to play. Please follow the link on the right hand side to join in the action and hopefully I will see you on the tables.

ClintonO

One More Title

My run of form continues with the successful win of another tournament.

Tonight it was the six pack highrollers qualifier which I won - 17 entrants and one seat available in Wednesdays £320 entry tournament.

This tournament has proved quite fruitful over the last two days and I look forward to tomorrows final.

I had one other cash in the $5k guaranteed finishing 17th out of 117. I defended my big blind with As7s from the small blind, but he had A9 and took me out.

I have started a reserve fund to help me fund a trip to Vegas should I fail to qualify, so a percentage of my winnings will go to this cause.

In other events the £15k saw an early exit when I flopped a set of dueces, only to end up in an all in situation with a guy holding 44, he hit another 4 on the turn.

Two final tables in the LOQ qualifiers were not good enough for a LOQ final seat.
I also played one Stt - a £10 six seater, which I also won.

A good night, a very small profit (allocated to WSOP fund) and a £320 seat in tomorrows final.

Tomorrow promises to be a big night - lets hope so.
ClintonO

We are off and running!

May has started on a positive note.
I found myself playing in the £2k guaranteed at 12pm today and finished 4th of 147 runners, taking home £250.

Further gains were made by finishing 3rd in the six pac highrollers qualifier. £150. This is the first time I have played in this tournament and was happy with the result.
The reason I played it was due to a LOQ qualifier this afternoon which was a six pac tournament, which I won. ($75 seat in the LOQ on Tuesday)
I feel my recent improvements on single table tournaments have contributed to this.

Of course I got my share of bad beats! My site would not be same without it! My Aces got called by 35 and the flop was 733 and of course there were many more.

It was nice to hear a comment from one the sites top players No3putts, who I met in the Caribbean.

'No3putts: Clinton - over the last month I have seen you suffer from more than your fair share of bad beats m8'

See its not just me who thinks I have been hard done by!

So as promised objectives for the month
1) Secure World Series seat - surely this month is the month. There is a minimum of ten finals this month. I will be hoping to reach 5 of these, in which I definitely have the ability to win one.

2) 50k. There are 4 50ks this month, of which I can play in 3. I was pleased with my cash this Sunday of £300. My objective for this month, is just to improve on that. So beating last months best finishing of 33rd.

3) 15k. My best finish last month was 11th, my aim is to make a final table in this tournament.

4) Money. I am setting no money targets this month, as it puts to much pressure on me. I play this game for enjoyment and get much better results when I am enjoying it. I have made money in each of the nine months I have kept records for since my return from Vegas. I would like to continue this run and hope and expect to do so, but I will set no figure.

5) Sharkscope stats. I am currently $450 dollars down on this after improving from $2000 down last month. My simple target is to get back into profit. My longer term aim is to be officially a shark!

6) Badbeat. I have been asked to take part in a team event organised by the website. www.badbeat.com The team I will be representing is made up of some very good players, it will certainly be a different challenge. I would very much like to be part of a winning team! So a final table appearance in this challenge is my aim

7) Littlewoods Bet Direct. I played on this site the other day and ended up winning a tournament for a seat for a $250,000 guaranteed tournament on the 13th May. My target is to make the money in this one.

8) Arsenal winning the Champions league. Okay so its not poker related, but I will be in Paris to support my team and am hoping that this will be a once in a lifetime experience.

I figure the more objectives I set, the more chances I have of meeting at least one!

All the best
ClintonO

April Review

Before I post on the month of April, tonights performances were again pleasing.

In the £50k, I finished in 33rd place (£300). It could have been better, I was up against the chip leader in my last hand 44 vs J6, he hit a Jack on the River (Could anything of else happened!)

In the LOQ $1 tournament, there was 193 players. I had my record stack after an hour up to 28,000. At one point with six left I was chip leader with 100,000. I end up all in with the guy in 2nd place AK vs AQ, here they come JT47, wait for it, yes its a King. Giving him the straight. These rivers!

I played one other tournament on Bet Direct, Littlewoods sister site. It was a qualifier for a $250,000 tournament. One seat available, I managed to win it and have secured my seat on Sunday 13th May.

So reflections on April.
Positive's - I have won more tournaments this month than the rest of my short career put together, winning the $5k guaranteed was the pinnacle.
I have played my best poker to date and am pleased that my game has definitely improved.
I have learnt to play different styles of poker and switch in and out as the situation demands.

Negative's - I have failed on my objectives, but will have a review of them now.
1) A World Series seat - I have made 5 finals this month, with 4th being my best finish. This is still the priority for next month.
2) A top 20 in the £50k, my best effort was 33rd, which is my best effort this year, so good progress made, but just short of target
3) 2 final tables of the £15k, unfortunately I fell short on this one, 11th was my best effort. Overall this tournament was the most dissapointing this month
4) Cash Profit - Due to the World Series games, I knew I would have a lower target, but still I managed my ninth successive profitable month, adding £500 to the kitty.
5) Sharkscope Stats - My single table stats have taken a significant turnaround, however have fallen just short of my aim. I am a little over $400 behind schedule. However a number of 10 seaters (£50) where I placed did not get recorded, so I would have hit my target! But the aim was to beat the stats, so I ended up a little short.

Its hard not to be dissapointed when I failed on all my objectives, but I know if I play like this again for another month, there is no way, I will fail on these.

I will set some revised targets tomorrow.
ClintonO

My 3rd Major!

Its not the tournament I planned on, but a win is a win!

I had made some good progress on Sharkscope today, only to discover that the two £50 10 stts, where I made the money, have not been counted! So still a little more work to go!

With my typical luck - AQ losing to AJ in the LOQ. Going out with QdJd on a Kd, Td,4s flop to Aces!

I decided to have a go at the $5k guaranteed. There were 133 runners and the prize pool of $6,650.
It was a quick moving tournaments with only 10 mins levels. After the first hour I had moved to 7k in chips and there were only 44 players left.

After 2 hours and 20 mins we were down to just 2. 50_pence was the competition, who had a small lead of 8k in chips.
After 20 mins of heads up the crucial hand! At this point I had a lead of 111k to 87k in chips. Blinds 1500/3000 (ante 400) I call to the big blind, he raises to 9k and I reraise with AdJs to 27k. The flop comes down Jc5d9s. A check from 50_pence, so I bet 27k which is again called. The turn is a 2c, to which he puts his remaining 33k in the middle. If he has an overpair, I am beat at this point, but I can't believe the 2 helped him, so I am calling. He turns over Ac5c. He needs a five or a club. The river is an Ace. It's all over!

I win my first major tournament win since January, I happily take the $2k first prize (£1.1k)

I am pleased with this as I have been playing well for quite some time, without the financial rewards, hopefully this will now give me the impetus to get my World Series seat sorted!

Best of Luck
ClintonO

Am I supposed to play this game?!

3 tournaments tonight - 3rd in the Littlewoods player points, 26th in the 15k (£75 and 2nd successive cash) and 2nd in the LOQ.

On the face of it some great play, but how how harsh were the results.

The Littlewoods tournament, I am winning, I am holding KK, Guy goes all in with A2 on a 7 high flop. Turn 2, River 2.

The £15k got nasty near the end. My AJ losing to K7, then 88 losing to A5, before my AT all in bet was called by AJ.

The LOQ was horrible! Some good play to get me in a great position. I am slightly behind heads up. I have AQ and get the other guy all in preflop. He has AJ. Flop 4QT, Turn 7, River K. He hits the straight.

All that play for so little to show for it!
My game continues to improve, I am really starting to step my game up.
Hopefully I can get some nice results over the last few days of April and qualify for a final at the weekend.

Good Luck
ClintonO

Those Ladies are taking the mick!

The night did not appear to be looking good.
In the $140 WSOP qualifier, my Aces were busted by AsJs and I was down to 350 chips in the 15k.

Then however I hit a seven on the river to keep me in and there was no looking back.
After almost 4 hours we were down to 12 players. I have 55000 chips and am in 4th. I turned over QQ.

With blinds up at 1200/2400. I raise to 9600, the big blind who had just doubled up with T9, decides to go all in for 42000. I decide that the chances of him being in front are slim and call. He turns over 99. This pot will put me in the lead.

The first four cards are blank, here comes the river - of course its a 9! Gutted as usual!

We lose one more player, so there is 11 left and I am down to 8500. I have Q7 in the blinds and button puts me all in, I have to call with the pot odds available. He turns over J5. This would move me up to 20k with the antes and other blind. I can't believe I am in front, that soon fades though, as a Jack appears on the river!

£150 and 11th place, but no final table as I said I would achieve in my objectives. Another good game, but those Ladies really don't like me!

Next Time then!
ClintonO

Where do they find them!

Picture the scene.
Its the last 65 of the 15k. I have a little over 4k in chips and would like a hand to help me out.

Big Slick arrives, that should do it. Blinds 150/300 with 25 ante. Under the gun HAN50M raises to 600. I decide to push and go all in.

HAN50M has about 7k in chips and decides to call. He turns over 7d6d. What the! Still I am rubbing my hands at that.
The flop come 579, oh my god. Thankfully the turn is an ace, to sort me out. Then the river, yes its another 7. What can you do!

I can understand the raise, Dan Harrington raises with suited connectors under the gun, as a way of taking advantage of his tight game. However 76 has got to be the absolute minimum and would he call a tight players all in raise, in a word. NO!

As I was writing HAN50M was sitting in 10th with 20k in chips, with just 25 left. I find it no surprise that he is now out!

Aside from that disaster I played in three other tournaments. I went out in the LOQ 1 in 50, when someone called my allin with openended straight draw, he obviously hit it!

The other tournaments were the $25 WSOP qualifier, where I reached the final 9 to qualify for Wednesdays $140 WSOP qualifier and the £50k qualifier where I finished in the final 3 to qualify for the £110 event on Sunday.
So £210 in seats won, so not a bad night, but honestly 76!

ClintonO

Those ladies are haunting me again!

This week has been a hell of a week!
I have had two second places in LOQ Qualifiers and a 3rd in a Littlewoods qualifier.

It was looking like a Weekend without a final, but at 2.30pm today I won the $140 World Series Qualifier, putting me in this afternoons final.
At one point even Vegas (Mr Crypto) came on and said well played, so that was a first for me!

The final was just horrible. With 16 people left I pick up QQ under the gun.
When the flop comes down 9s 5c Qd, I thought this was going to a fantastic double up. I am playing against As, Ks. Can you predict what happens?! 7s and then 3s. How cruel!

I do feel like my game is continuing to improve. I finished 6th in a £1.5k guaranteed taking home £100+ last night, also my Stt form is getting much better and I have made marked improvement in my stats over the last few days.
I am almost in danger of meeting one of my objectives!

Two more finals available this forthcoming weekend, I will be doing everything I can to secure a seat.

ClintonO

Another Day of what might have been!

Tonight was a frustrating night as site problems prevented me from playing for almost an hour, jeopardising most of my tournaments.

The £15k was the worst affected as I lost half my 4500 stack.
In the LOQ qualifier I managed to recovered from starting with 1300 instead of 2000, but ultimately finished 4th, two made the final.

The Littlewoods tournament was almost a sublime comeback, down to 350 chips, I made the final table for the 11th consecutive time, but my JJ was busted by 26, yes 26, so I finished 6th.

The last tournament of the night was the LOQ 1 in 50. I managed to take this one to the wire, but ended losing heads up against 007apr, I was 3-1 down in chips so had to make a move where I could and came up against pocket tens when trying a maneouvre.

Still onwards and upwards.
Another note on Poker Tony, there I am saying he is going to win a tournament and he takes down the 150 Euro rebuy at the Irish Open, nice one sir! Now about my percentage!!!

Also as from today you can read an article about me on the Littlewoods Website.
http://www.littlewoodspoker.com/wsop/player-views.htm

I will have to get another photo taken!
Once again a big thank you to those guys at Littlewoods who are really supporting me, I will repaying them by having a big finish at the World Series - WHEN I FINALLY GET THERE!!!!!

ClintonO

Back to the Drawing Board!

After 2 finals this weekend, it is back to the qualification stages again!
The 4th place finish on Saturday night was really dissapointing after coming so close.

The final on Sunday did not go according to plan. I ran into Kings with my Queens quite early on.
Despite recovering my intitial stack, I got reraised when holding Jacks and threw them away and then lost with AQ to KJ on a four heart board to a flush.

The qualification process began again last night and it was the Littlewoods Competition on the agenda. For the tenth consectutive time, I made the final table, but this time I went out in 7th.
Raising 4 times the big blind with AT suited, I was called by the chip leader. On a AK3 flop, I felt confident, he did not have an ace with a higher kicker. I was right, but his set of 3s was a problem!

I had a little slip in my STT quest, but that is what you get for playing with a hangover. However I have recovered well over the last two days and am now back to being officially in 'HOT' form.

I have signed up for the Sharkscope premium service, as I have found the information on there to be a useful guide. It does surprise me how seeing the stats in advance can enable you to predict the finishing order of the tournament. Definitely useful.

A quick note on my pal Poker Tony Chessa, he had another excellent performance in the Paddy Power Irish Open this weekend, finishing in 16th place, a future champion in the making for sure.

Whilst reflecting on the month so far and looking back at the stats, I cannot help but feel disappointed, in that none of my objectives are looking likely to be met. Yet when I look back at the results, I have actually won 4 MTT's in 17 days, but as they have no cash value other than a seat, I am probably being overly critical. In reality this is an excellent performance and I have learnt many lessons and that should reap many more rewards going forwards.

There are 3 more World Series finals available this weekend and I will play in every possible qualifier to get there. After making two finals last weekend, I do not see why I can't make at least one of them.

I am concerned about my regular tournament form, I am without a cash in the last five now. I am considering taking a break from these until my world series seat is secured.
Although over the weekend, whilst sitting nicely in fourth place, I turn over J7 in the big blind. With a flop of 7J7, I did not expect to go out on that hand! Going out to pocket Jacks in an unraised pot. Not sure how I get away from that one!

I have a few tournaments tonight. The £15k, World Series Level 1, LOQ Level 2 and the Littlewoods points competition. I obviously will not have a chance to play much else, but I do want to play a couple of Stt's to keep my progress on the upwards curve.

I remain buoyant about my game and approach the rest of the month with confidence.
ClintonO

The Worst Feeling

Absolutely gutted!
Tonights LOQ final I finished in 4th place after leading with 5 players left.
3rd prize got $2400, 4th got nothing.

After playing some of my finest poker, I slipped up in three major hands. Firstly flopping top two pair, to lose to trips. Secondly flopping trips and losing to a runner runner straight. Then finally, having KT on a KTA flop, I come up against a slow played AK.

I am absolutely devasted by this, as I thought this was the night!

I had earlier won the $140 qualifier for the World Series final, so I will take my place in tomorrows final and I am determined to avenge my defeat here.

So Gutted!
ClintonO

Confidence restored!

Tonight was looking like being one of those nights again.
The Littlewoods player points was first on the agenda, after a poor start, I picked my game up and found myself on the final table.
With 5 players left I had moved into 3rd and found myself with AK on the button, I put a steal size raise in and HUABOY goes all in with A6, a flop of A58 looks like giving me first place, a turn and a river of 7 and 9 eliminates me to a straight. SICK!

The 15k was a similiar story, a slow start but picked up as the tournament progress. Unfortunately another nine on the river, crippled me. This time AK to A9. I eventually went out in 47th when my tens ran into Cowboys.

The World Series qualifiers saw me eliminated when my Aces were busted by Jacks and I overplayed AK on a AJ9 flop and went out to a set of Jacks.

I decided to play one last game, a 37 player LOQ Tournament, with the winner taking a seat in the final on Saturday. (The first of the seven remaining World Series tournaments left this month).
I played very loose poker to start with as I was still reeling from the lack of success, but whilst my chip stack yo-yoed I did not move much. Then when I was short stacked and I pushed all in with A3, on a 668 flop, I was called with A7 and after a 9 on the turn, with the pot looking like it would be split pot, the river was a 3. Oh my god, I got lucky!

This event gave me the confidence I needed and the realisation that not every card is against me!
I played some good aggressive poker and by time we got to ten players, I was the chip leader. This was a position that I never slip until the last 3. The short stacked went all in with A7 and I called with AK, of course the flop included a 7!.

At this point the useful Meijer was 50 chips in front! Meijer had already won a LOQ Final so this would be a real test for me. We had 25k in chips each and jolindi1 had 5k. From this point on I regained my composure and played some great poker to take this tournament and win my seat in the LOQ final on Saturday. After 2hours and 11 seconds, I had won my first MTT this month and maintained my target of achieving at least one World Series opportunity a weekend.

It really is time to get my world series seat! A night off is in order after that performance tonight, but I will be back with renewed confidence on Friday.

With Dewi Cool and bifta, two of the sites best players already in the LOQ final on Saturday, this will be a real challenge, but I feel I am ready for it.

Time to take it down!
ClintonO

Small Progress Made

Not the most successful of nights, but progress has been made on point five of my monthly objectives.

The Littlewoods player points route for the World Series was another dissapointment last night. For the seventh consecutive time I made the final table, but my preflop raise of 4 times the blind with 99 did not scare off an A2 off suit call. Needless to say the flop of 345, did not help me! I went out in 9th

During the £15k I played a patient game, moving up to 5k in chips with 101 players left. When my AK suited met with an AT3 board, I thought I would move further up the leader board, but as the guy had TT, I soon realised that it was not to be!

The new objective of sorting out my STT record, took a step in the positive direction though. I played four games last night, winning one and coming 2nd in three. It was dissapointing that I could not win more, but making money in each was my target. According to sharkscope.com my form is now officially HOT!

Tonights games include the Littlewoods Player Points, £15k and World Series Stage 2 Qualifier ($140). Depending on performance I will try to get in a few STT's to help achieve Target 5.

These are important games, as a good performance tonight, will put me in two of the finals for the remaining 7 opportunities for a world series seat this month.

ClintonO

Latest Update

After a few days break from the world of poker its back to business again.

On the PR front, I made the front page of the St.Ives Weekly News! I will get this scanned in and available for everyone to see.

As for the Poker, it is been a quiet return.
I qualified for the $1k World Series final on Sunday, but unfortunately went out in 11th place, reraising an agressive button with AQ, but he had Kings and I was beaten. The tournament though was abandoned with 7 people left due to software failure, so I would not been able to win my seat, but I would have had a equal share of the $30k prize money.

At least I am continuing to give myself the opportunity at least once a weekend.

A quick review of my monthly targets
1) Qualify for World Series seat, I have had two finals so far this month and finished 7th and 11th, so I am not too far away. I have a maximum of 7 further opportunities during the month. I would obviously like to make them all, but if I can make 3 of them, I am confident I can secure my seat in one of them.

2) Achieve a top 20 in the £50k. This months record reads 65th, Abandonded. With 3 more to play this remains a realistic but stretching target.

3) Achieve two final tables in the £15k, so far from 5 efforts, I have finished in the last 50 in four of them, my best finish has been 22nd twice! Again this remains a realistic target.

4) £3k profit, this month has failed to add any money to the bankroll so far, but as I have stressed this month is more about securing my seat, rather than winning money. In reality, my target was too ambitious and I am lowering my aims to £1.5k, as I will mainly be playing world series games.

5) I am however adding a further target. There is a website that provides results of everyones single seater tournament results. www.sharkscope.com. This is a very useful site, but it does highlight some very significant findings. My profits to date have enitirely come from Multi Table Tournaments and so I am in a negative position on Single Table Tournaments. As a result of this I would like to turn this around by the end of the month.

There is a lot left to achieve for the remainder of April and the quest for glory starts tonight.

Very Focused!
ClintonO

This game can be so cruel

It at times like these you wonder why you play this game.

After the bad luck from last night, the $600k tournament was very cruel.

I hit top set on the flop and one player goes all in and hits runner runner to hit a flush. Shortly after with a pair of Kings, I go all in on a Jack high flop, I get called with AJ. The remaining cards are two spades giving them a Ace high flush with 4 spades on the board.

The £50k was going very well, with only 65 players remaining from the 404 that started. I have A7 suited in the small blind. The button raises me, which he has done for the last three blinds. I defend my blind all in and he turns over Aces. Two nights on the trot, I run into aces near the end of a tournament.

After this latest run of luck, I am going to have a little break!
See you in a few days
ClintonO

April Fool?

A mixed start to the month of April.

The positive start is a £350 profit on day 1 thanks to money finishes in the World Series qualifier and another money finish in the 15k.

Unfortunately my quest for a World Series seat is not yet complete. Having made it to the last nine players in the final and sitting in 2nd position, I am dealt a pair of Kings on the button. There is one initial raiser so I re-raise him, he goes all in. Can I throw away a pair of Kings, there is one place up for grabs and I have to win the tournament to get it. I call and he has those dreaded Aces. Unfortunately the Aces hold up and lose the majority of my stack. I go all in on my first decent hand KQ suited and run into AQ.

Its hard to be disappointed after a profitable day, but I was winning the 15k with 40 left. AK in the small blind, ran into JJ in the big blind and he hit four spades to a flush, taking out most of my stack. I was also 2nd in the LOQ and had I not run into Aces, I could have my plane tickets booked my now.

Still I have played well again, tomorrow I have the $600k final and the £50k tournament. I am having a few days rest next week, so I am hoping to continue my form into tomorrow.
I might have one last go at getting in the world series qualifier, but I have not decided yet.

Good Luck All
ClintonO

Monthly Report

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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